Cape News

Legislation aimed at expanding job placement services for unemployment insurance claimants is on its way to the President's desk. The BRIDGE for Workers Act, introduced by Ways and Means Work and Welfare Subcommittee Chairman Darin LaHood (IL-16) and Subcommittee Ranking Member Danny Davis (IL-07), has been approved by both the House and Senate.

The bipartisan act, known as H.R. 5861, seeks to provide broader access to employment services, helping more Americans secure jobs that match their skills. It previously received unanimous support in the Committee and was passed by the U.S. House of Representatives in September.

"More Americans on unemployment insurance are closer than ever to getting the assistance they need to reconnect with the workforce and find a new job," stated Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). He emphasized that the legislation aims to address labor shortages while ensuring fairness in the system and protecting taxpayer money.

Subcommittee Chairman LaHood expressed his enthusiasm for the bill's progress: "This commonsense, bipartisan bill will eliminate unnecessary restrictions that prevent many Americans looking for work from having access to valuable workforce development tools." He looks forward to its enactment into law soon.

Ranking Member Davis highlighted the bill's potential impact: "I am proud of our bipartisan work to get the BRIDGE for Workers Act to President Biden to sign into law." He noted that reemployment services like job market information and resume assistance can expedite individuals' return to work, positively affecting household budgets.

The BRIDGE for Workers Act clarifies that reemployment services should be available to all unemployment insurance claimants through programs like Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEA). These programs offer various services, including career information tailored to claimant needs and job search assistance. The act also aims to strengthen program integrity by ensuring compliance with eligibility rules.

The bill passed unanimously in the Ways and Means Committee with a 41-0 vote before moving through the U.S. House of Representatives on September 17, 2024.