House Passes Bill To Restore Dignity of Work for Disabled Americans

The House of Representatives took a decisive step this week to empower Americans with disabilities who want to work.

House lawmakers passed legislation that renews the Social Security Administration’s ability to

test practical reforms and remove the bureaucratic traps that keep too many people on the sidelines.

H.R. 8884, the Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act, sponsored by Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., cleared the House by a vote of 232-188.

The measure now moves to the Senate, where it has been referred to the Committee on Finance.

At its core, the bill reauthorizes the Social Security Administration’s authority to conduct demonstration projects under the Social Security Disability Insurance program through December 31, 2030, with projects able to run until the end of 2031.

That authority expired in 2022.

The projects allow the SSA to temporarily test changes in program rules designed to encourage beneficiaries who are able and willing to return to the workforce.

Participation is strictly voluntary, and the legislation requires that no participant see a reduction in their total income.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith, R-Mo., underscored the urgent need for the bill during floor debate.

“With over 60 percent of Social Security Disability Insurance recipients expressing an interest in returning to the workforce but less than one percent leaving the program because of a successful return to work each year, the Social Security Administration’s complex rules and regulations are clearly failing to deliver for too many Americans,” Smith said.