HR1119119th CongressWALLET

Unemployment Integrity Act of 2025

Sponsored By: Representative Edwards

Introduced

Summary

This bill would tighten work-related rules for unemployment benefits and link federal extended funds to state compliance. It would add required interviews and reemployment steps, create a voluntary reporting channel for noncompliance, and require a Labor Department audit of random audits.

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  • Unemployed claimants: If requested, claimants would need to respond to work-related requests, schedule and attend interviews, take part in agreed reemployment services, and comply with reasonable requests including drug testing or skill assessments.
  • People hiring or helping claimants: The bill would let a person with whom a claimant is seeking employment voluntarily report that the claimant failed to follow the specified state rules.
  • States: To receive transfers from the extended unemployment compensation account, a State law would have to include the specific work-related provisions the bill requires. The new rules generally apply to weeks beginning 1 year after enactment, with a special timing rule for States with biennial legislatures.
  • Federal oversight: The Secretary of Labor would have to complete an audit study within 2 years on increasing random audits under the Beneficiary Accuracy Management program and, if the study supports it, issue rules to increase the number of such audits within 1 year after the report.

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.

Extended benefits tied to state rules

Federal extended unemployment funds would only go to a state if the Labor Department certifies the state law has the required work-related rules. If a state does not qualify, extended benefits could be unavailable. This would generally apply to weeks beginning one year after enactment, with a similar delay for some biennial legislatures. It would still apply even if later laws pass, unless that later law names this rule.

Stricter work rules for job seekers

If you claim unemployment, you would need to follow new steps in any week you are asked about possible work. You would have to respond to requests, set up and attend interviews, and take reemployment services at the agreed time. You would also need to follow reasonable requests, like drug tests or skills checks. States would set up a way for a potential employer to report if you did not follow these rules; reports would be voluntary. These changes would start for weeks beginning one year after enactment for most states, or after the first session that begins after enactment in biennial states.

Possible increase in unemployment audits

The Labor Department would study raising random audits of unemployment claims under the Beneficiary Accuracy Measurement program or a successor. The report would be due within 2 years of enactment. If the study shows more audits would help, the Department would issue rules within 1 year after the report to increase audits. This could mean more claim reviews by states.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Edwards

NC • R

Cosponsors

  • Franklin, Scott

    FL • R

    Sponsored 2/7/2025

  • Scott, Austin

    GA • R

    Sponsored 2/7/2025

  • Grothman

    WI • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2025

  • Cline

    VA • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2025

  • Webster (FL)

    FL • R

    Sponsored 4/29/2025

  • McCormick

    GA • R

    Sponsored 5/7/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov

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