WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 8884 · 119th Congress

Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act

Passed HouseSocial Welfare
IntroducedMay 19, 2026
Passed HouseJul 23, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Jul 23, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. The House passed it 232–188. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 2 sections of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 8884 would change 2 sections of existing law. Read from the bill text as passed by the House (Jul 23, 2026).

42 U.S.C. 434 Demonstration project authority

  • (c) Authority to waive compliance with benefits requirements added to · Sec. 2(b) · see the words
  • (d) Reports changed · Sec. 2(a) · see the words
  • (e) Additional requirements added to · Sec. 2(d) · see the words

42 U.S.C. 401 Trust Funds

  • (k) Experiment and demonstration project expenditures rewritten · Sec. 2(c) · see the words
What the words would change: every change, in place (8)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 42 U.S.C. 434(d)(2)changedby H.R. 8884 Sec. 2(a)

    (2) Termination and final report. The authority to initiate projects under the preceding provisions of this section shall terminate on December 31, 2021, and the authority to carry out such projects shall terminate on December 31, 2022December 31, 2030, and the authority to carry out such projects shall terminate on December 31, 2031. Not later than 90 days after the termination of any experiment or demonstration project carried out under this section, the Commissioner shall submit to the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives and to the Committee on Finance of the Senate a final report with respect to that experiment or demonstration project.

    The bill says: Section 234(d)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 434(d)(2)) is amended by striking "December 31, 2021, and the authority to carry out such projects shall terminate on December 31, 2022" and inserting "December 31, 2030, and the authority to carry out such projects shall terminate on December 31, 2031".

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 434)

  2. 42 U.S.C. 434(c)changedby H.R. 8884 Sec. 2(b)

    (c) Authority to waive compliance with benefits requirements. In the case of any experiment or demonstration project initiated under subsection (a) on or before December 30, 2021December 31, 2030, the Commissioner may waive compliance with the benefit requirements of this subchapter and the requirements of section 1320b–19 of this title as they relate to the program established under this subchapter, and the Secretary may (upon…

    The bill says: by striking "December 30, 2021" and inserting "December 31, 2030";

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 434)

  3. 42 U.S.C. 434(c)changedby H.R. 8884 Sec. 2(b)

    …with the benefits requirements of subchapter XVIII, insofar as is necessary for a thorough evaluation of the alternative methods under consideration. No such experiment or project shall be actually placed in operation unless at least 90 days120 days prior thereto a written report, prepared for purposes of notification and information only and containing a full and complete description thereof, including the objectives of the experiment or demonstration project, the expected annual…

    The bill says: by striking "90 days" and inserting "120 days"; and

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 434)

  4. 42 U.S.C. 434(c)addedby H.R. 8884 Sec. 2(b)

    The bill says: by inserting after "the expected annual and total costs," the following: "evaluation metrics to be used with respect to the experiment or demonstration project,".

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 434)

  5. 42 U.S.C. 401(k)rewrittenby H.R. 8884 Sec. 2(c)

    The bill says: Section 201(k) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 401(k)) is amended to read as follows:

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 401)

  6. 42 U.S.C. 434(e)(2)changedby H.R. 8884 Sec. 2(d)

    The bill says: in paragraph (2), by striking the "and" at the end;

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 434)

  7. 42 U.S.C. 434(e)(3)changedby H.R. 8884 Sec. 2(d)

    (3) that such experiment or demonstration project is expected to yield statistically significant results.; and

    The bill says: in paragraph (3), by striking the period at the end and inserting "; and"; and

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 434)

  8. 42 U.S.C. 434(e)added (4)by H.R. 8884 Sec. 2(d)

    (4) that the total income of an individual will not be reduced due to the individual’s participation in an experiment or demonstration project.

    The bill says: by adding at the end the following:

    Bill text · Current law (42 U.S.C. 434)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act

This bill reauthorizes through 2031 the Social Security Administration’s (SSA’s) authority to carry out demonstration projects within the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program. The bill also imposes requirements related to beneficiary income, project funding, and SSA reporting.

SSDI demonstration projects must be designed to promote attachment to the workforce and generally involve temporary changes to SSDI policies tested on a subset of beneficiaries. Participation in a demonstration project must be voluntary. SSA’s authority to carry out these projects expired on December 31, 2022.

Under the bill, SSA must ensure that an individual’s participation in a demonstration project does not reduce their total income. Further, the bill specifies that administrative expenses related to demonstration projects must be paid from funds appropriated for administration.

Finally, the bill requires SSA to report to Congress 120 days before initiating a demonstration project. This is an increase from 90 days under current law. This advance notification must include evaluation metrics for the relevant project.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Jun 25, 2026).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. Jul 23, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  2. Jul 23, 2026On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 188 (Roll no. 283). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5182-5183) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  3. Jul 23, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 232 - 188 (Roll no. 283). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H5182-5183) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  4. Jul 23, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5186-5187)House floor actions
  5. Jul 23, 2026POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 8884, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Chu demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
  6. Jul 23, 2026The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  7. Jul 23, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8884.House floor actions
  8. Jul 23, 2026Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955 and H.R. 9770. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8800 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770 under a closed rule, with one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770.House floor actions
  9. Jul 23, 2026Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1438. (consideration: CR H5182-5186)House floor actions
  10. Jul 23, 2026Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.Senate
  11. Jul 20, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1438 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955 and H.R. 9770. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8800 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 8884, H. Con. Res. 113, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770 under a closed rule, with one hour of debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 8800, H.R. 8884, H.R. 7008, H.R. 6955, and H.R. 9770.House floor actions
  12. Jun 30, 2026Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1398 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8800, H.R. 8595, H.R. 8884 and H. Res. 1383. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8800 and H.R. 8595 under a structured rule, and H.R. 8884 and H. Res. 1383 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of general debate on each measure and one motion to recommit on H.R. 8800, H.R. 8595, and H.R. 8884.House floor actions
  13. Jun 25, 2026Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 620.House floor actions
  14. Jun 25, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-714.House floor actions
  15. Jun 25, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-714.Library of Congress
  16. May 21, 2026Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 16.House committee actions
  17. May 21, 2026Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  18. May 19, 2026Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.House floor actions
  19. May 19, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  20. May 19, 2026Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Jul 23, 2026 · HousePassed 232–188
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 212 yes, 0 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 19 yes, 188 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Robert J. Wittman R-VA-1