Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act

Bill Number: H.R. 8884
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Social Welfare
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-07-23: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Last Updated: 2026-07-29T19:49:44Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This legislation reauthorizes and updates the Social Security Administration's authority to conduct demonstration projects under the disability insurance program. These projects test ways to help individuals with disabilities participate in work while receiving benefits.

Key Provisions

Short Title: The Act is named the "Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act."
Extension of Authority: It extends the termination date for demonstration projects from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2031.
Waiver Authority Updates: The Commissioner may waive certain benefit rules until December 31, 2030, with a longer review period (120 days instead of 90 days) and a requirement to include evaluation metrics in project plans.
Funding Rules: Administrative costs for projects are paid from general administrative funds, while benefit payments come from the appropriate Social Security trust funds.
Income Protection: Projects must ensure that an individual's total income is not reduced due to participation.
Technical Changes: Minor corrections to language and removal of an outdated subsection.
Effective Date: The changes take effect on January 1, 2027.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Extends the demonstration project authority by nearly nine years beyond its prior expiration.
Adds a new requirement that projects cannot reduce participants' overall income.
Requires inclusion of evaluation metrics in project proposals.
Updates the time frame for congressional review of waiver requests.

Potential Impacts

Government Agencies: The Social Security Administration gains extended flexibility to run and evaluate work-related experiments for disability beneficiaries, with updated cost allocation rules.
Citizens: Disabled individuals may have more opportunities to test employment without risk of income loss through these projects.
International Relations: No direct effects identified.

Main Stakeholders Affected

The Social Security Administration, which administers the projects.
Individuals receiving disability insurance benefits who may participate in the experiments.
Congress, which oversees the reauthorized authority.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

The bill focuses on administrative adjustments within existing Social Security law, with no apparent constitutional issues raised in the text.
It emphasizes income protection for participants, which could influence future policy on benefit structures.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Scott, Austin [R-GA-8]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

Recent Actions

2026-07-23: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
2026-07-23: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-07-23: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 188 (Roll no. 283). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5182-5183) (Roll call 283)
2026-07-23: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 188 (Roll no. 283). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5182-5183) (Roll call 283)
2026-07-23: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5186-5187)
2026-07-23: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 8884, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Chu demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
2026-07-23: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-07-23: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8884.
2026-07-23: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955 and H.R. 9770. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8800 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770 under a closed rule, with one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770.
2026-07-23: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1438. (consideration: CR H5182-5186)
2026-07-20: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1438 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955 and H.R. 9770. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8800 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770 under a closed rule, with one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770.
2026-06-30: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1398 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8800, H.R. 8595, H.R. 8884 and H. Res. 1383. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8800 and H.R. 8595 under a structured rule, and H.R. 8884 and H. Res. 1383 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 8800, H.R. 8595, and H.R. 8884.
2026-06-25: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 620.
2026-06-25: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-714.
2026-06-25: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-714.

Bill Versions

Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act — issued 2026-07-23 — PDF (6 pages)
Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (3 pages)
Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act — issued 2026-07-23 — PDF (4 pages)
Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act — issued 2026-06-25 — PDF (6 pages)