Removing Access Barriers to Running for Elected Office for People with Disabilities Act
Lets people receiving disability benefits campaign for elected office without counting campaign work or pay against federally supported benefits.
In the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee since Oct. 1, 2026, 4 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROOCT 1, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- SENATESENATE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
People receiving disability benefits may have to weigh campaigning for office against maintaining their assistance. The bill would keep campaign work and any pay for it out of benefit eligibility and amount calculations. It would apply to federal programs and to state or local programs supported in part by federal funds.
- INTRODUCED ONLY This bill has been introduced and possibly referred to a committee, but it has not passed any vote. Most introduced bills never become law — they die in committee without a hearing.
- DATA NOTE No Congressional Research Service summary was available.
- Exclude campaign work from benefit calculations
For people entitled to Social Security Act Title II or Title XVI benefits because of a disability, campaign work and any compensation for it would not count when determining eligibility for or the amount of benefits or assistance under federal programs. The same rule would apply to state or local programs financed in whole or in part with federal funds.
The bill’s stated purpose is to let people with disabilities campaign for elected office without losing access to federally supported benefits. Its practical effect would be to remove campaign work and pay from benefit eligibility and amount calculations.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedOCT 1, 2026HOUSEOCT 1, 2026By Rep. Dean with 2 original cosponsorsReferred to Oversight and Government Reform
- SAME DAYNOWHouse committeeOCT 1, 2026OVERSIGHT & GOVERNMENT REFORM NOWOCT 1, 2026In committee for 4 daysNo hearing yet
- 4 DAYS SO FARPassed the House—HOUSE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Senate committee—SENATE—
- Passed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- Resolve differencesONLY IF NEEDEDBOTH CHAMBERSONLY IF NEEDEDSkipped if the other chamber passes the same text
- Signed into law—PRESIDENT—10 days to sign or veto
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026REFERREDHOUSEReferred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- OCT 12026OCT 1, 2026INTRODUCEDHOUSEIntroduced in House
At day 4, this bill is already older than 3% of the laws passed this Congress were when they were signed.
Where your members stand on it
A coalition from 2 states
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Plus the sponsor, a Democrat. Every cosponsor is from one party.
Rep. Dean’s record: sponsored 25 bills this Congress. 0 passed the House; 0 became law.
- Eleanor Holmes NortonD-DC-ALORIGINAL
- Mary Gay ScanlonD-PA-5ORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
Get an alert when it changes stage, gets a floor vote in the House, or is signed into law.