Ready to Work Act of 2026
Creates local jobs programs that pair temporary work with training and support for long-term unemployed workers.
In the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee since Sept. 28, 2026, 10 days after it was introduced. Most bills never leave committee.
- INTRODUCEDINTROSEP 28, 2026
- COMMITTEECOMM.IN COMMITTEE
- SENATESENATE—
- HOUSEHOUSE—
- LAWLAW—
What the bill would do, and why it matters
Long-term unemployment can make it harder for workers to regain stable jobs. The bill would create local jobs programs for eligible workers, combining temporary jobs with career help, training, and support services. It would set rules for employers and worker protections, and offer extra grants to areas with high poverty or persistently low employment.
- 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.
- Create jobs programs for eligible workers
The Labor Secretary would fund local workforce boards to place eligible workers in temporary jobs intended to lead to longer-term employment, with career, supportive, and training services as needed. Eligible workers generally must be at least 18, authorized to work in the United States, out of work or full-time education for at least 27 weeks, and seeking a job for at least 4 weeks.
- Set rules for employers and wages
Participating employers would pay at least the highest of the applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage and a rate based on the poverty line for a family of four; they would also have to meet requirements for benefits and comparable pay. The bill bars replacing or displacing existing workers and sets limits on the share of an employer’s workforce that can be in program positions.
- Require worker protections and performance reporting
Local boards would track job placements, income changes, and other performance measures, and report results with data broken out by barriers to employment, race, ethnicity, sex, and age. Workers and labor organizations could file grievances, with hearings and decisions subject to deadlines and access to binding arbitration in specified cases.
- Offer extra grants to struggling areas
The Labor Secretary would award competitive grants to local boards for added program costs, prioritizing areas with high poverty or persistently low employment among people ages 25 through 54. Grants could allow changes to certain program standards, including limits on job duration, employer contributions, and administrative costs.
The bill cites long-term unemployment and concerns about job opportunities as reasons for creating the initiative. It says the programs are intended to address barriers such as transportation, child care, job readiness, and substance use treatment, while helping participants build skills for lasting employment.
The proposal would create ongoing federal funding for local jobs programs and additional grants for areas with high poverty or chronically low employment. The funding is not assigned a specific dollar amount in the bill.
Written from the bill text.
The path it took, step by step
- IntroducedSEP 28, 2026SENATESEP 28, 2026By Sen. Hollen with 4 original cosponsorsReferred to Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
- SAME DAYNOWSenate committeeSEP 28, 2026HEALTH, EDUCATION, LABOR, & PENSIONS NOWSEP 28, 2026In committee for 10 daysNo hearing yet
- 10 DAYS SO FARPassed the Senate—SENATE FLOOR—Not scheduled
- House committee—HOUSE—
- Passed the House—HOUSE 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
- SEP 282026SEP 28, 2026REFERREDRead twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- SEP 282026SEP 28, 2026INTRODUCEDSENATEIntroduced in Senate
At day 10, 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.
Sen. Van Hollen’s record: sponsored 76 bills this Congress. 1 passed the Senate; 0 became law.
- Richard BlumenthalD-CTORIGINAL
- Jeff MerkleyD-ORORIGINAL
- Christopher MurphyD-CTORIGINAL
- Ron WydenD-ORORIGINAL
What readers think
Discussion
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