House BillHR 6949Employment and training programsLow- and moderate-income housing
Upward Mobility Act of 2026
INTRO JAN 6· LAST ACTION MAY 20
READING
31MIN
COSPONSORS
3
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
Introduced only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 2 / 8
Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-written
Voters should care about this bill because it proposes a significant shift in how federal antipoverty funding is managed and delivered. If it becomes law and is successful, it could lead to more efficient and effective programs that genuinely help people move out of poverty by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and incentives that keep people from working more hours or getting a better job. This could mean a more impactful use of taxpayer dollars currently allocated to various aid programs.
Conversely, if the pilot program doesn't achieve its intended outcomes, or if the flexibility leads to unintended consequences, it could undermine the effectiveness of crucial safety net programs. The bill's success or failure could influence future policy decisions regarding federal-state partnerships in social services and the broader approach to poverty reduction in the United States, impacting millions who rely on these programs.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extracted
PROVISION 01
Establishes a pilot program allowing up to 5 states to consolidate federal funds from various antipoverty programs.
This provision enables states to combine money from different aid programs, giving them more flexibility to design integrated local solutions.
PROVISION 02
Allows states to use these consolidated funds, called 'Upward Mobility Grants,' to run pilot projects focused on antipoverty objectives.
The grants are specifically for projects aiming to streamline services, promote employment, and reduce 'benefit cliffs' that disincentivize work.
PROVISION 03
Defines 'covered amount' to include funds from major programs like SNAP, TANF, Child Care, LIHEAP, Dislocated Worker assistance, and various housing programs.
This specifies the broad range of existing federal funds that states could consolidate, highlighting the significant scope of the proposed change.
PROVISION 04
Aims to reduce 'Marginal Effective Tax Rates,' which measure how much a person's increased earnings are offset by reduced benefits and higher taxes.
This tackles a key barrier to upward mobility, as it seeks to ensure that working more truly leads to a net increase in disposable income.
PROVISION 05
Limits the duration of each pilot project to a single period of 5 years.
This sets a clear timeframe for evaluating the effectiveness of the consolidated funding approach before wider implementation is considered.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
COMMITTEE
JAN 6
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 6
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 6
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Voters should care about this bill because it proposes a significant shift in how federal antipoverty funding is managed and delivered. If it becomes law and is successful, it could lead to more efficient and effective programs that genuinely help people move out of poverty by reducing bureaucratic hurdles and incentives that keep people from working more hours or getting a better job. This could mean a more impactful use of taxpayer dollars currently allocated to various aid programs.
Conversely, if the pilot program doesn't achieve its intended outcomes, or if the flexibility leads to unintended consequences, it could undermine the effectiveness of crucial safety net programs. The bill's success or failure could influence future policy decisions regarding federal-state partnerships in social services and the broader approach to poverty reduction in the United States, impacting millions who rely on these programs.
KEY PROVISIONS
AI-extracted
high
Establishes a pilot program allowing up to 5 states to consolidate federal funds from various antipoverty programs.
This provision enables states to combine money from different aid programs, giving them more flexibility to design integrated local solutions.
high
Allows states to use these consolidated funds, called 'Upward Mobility Grants,' to run pilot projects focused on antipoverty objectives.
The grants are specifically for projects aiming to streamline services, promote employment, and reduce 'benefit cliffs' that disincentivize work.
high
Defines 'covered amount' to include funds from major programs like SNAP, TANF, Child Care, LIHEAP, Dislocated Worker assistance, and various housing programs.
This specifies the broad range of existing federal funds that states could consolidate, highlighting the significant scope of the proposed change.
med
Aims to reduce 'Marginal Effective Tax Rates,' which measure how much a person's increased earnings are offset by reduced benefits and higher taxes.
This tackles a key barrier to upward mobility, as it seeks to ensure that working more truly leads to a net increase in disposable income.
med
Limits the duration of each pilot project to a single period of 5 years.
This sets a clear timeframe for evaluating the effectiveness of the consolidated funding approach before wider implementation is considered.
Each approved pilot project will last for a single period
GLOSSARY
AI-written
Antipoverty objectives
The goals of the bill, which include making service delivery smoother, reducing inconsistent rules for aid, lessening 'benefit cliffs,' and helping people get better jobs and earn more money.
Antipoverty program
Activities that can be supported by federal money the state receives, intended to help people move out of poverty.
Covered amount
The specific federal funds from various existing programs (like food assistance, housing, child care) that a state can combine and use under this new pilot program.
Upward Mobility Grants
The new grants that states can receive by consolidating existing federal antipoverty funds to carry out pilot projects.
Marginal Effective Tax Rate
The percentage of a person's raise in earned income that is lost due to a reduction in their aid benefits combined with an increase in their taxes. The bill aims to lower this.
Benefit cliffs
Situations where a small increase in a person's income leads to a large, sudden loss of essential government benefits, making it harder for them to get ahead financially.
Direct assistance benefits
ACTION TIMELINE
4 EVENTS
MAY 20
Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
COMMITTEE
JAN 6
Introduced in House
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 6
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
INTROREFERRAL
JAN 6
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Financial Services, Agriculture, Education and Workforce, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
The specific types of aid that individuals directly receive, such as food, cash, child care subsidies, home energy help, job training, and housing subsidies.
