01 — The Text
What.
- Reauthorizes Social Security's authority to run experimental programs testing new SSDI policies through 2031 (expired in 2022).
- Requires SSA to guarantee participants don't lose total income during experiments and pay project costs from admin budgets.
- Mandates Congress get 120-day advance notice before launching any new demonstration project, up from 90 days currently.
- Requires SSA report evaluation metrics and project details to Congress before each test begins.
02 — The Stakes
So what?
- Disabled workers on SSDI gain access to job-training pilots designed to test if policy tweaks increase employment without cutting benefits.
- Participation stays voluntary—no one forced into experiments—and income floors protect beneficiaries from losing money while testing new rules.
- Congress gets more time to review and potentially block experiments it views as risky before they launch.
- Extends testing authority that expired in 2022, closing a gap where SSA couldn't legally run new demonstration projects for three years.
03 — The Path
Now what?
- Bill passed Ways and Means Committee (amended) June 25; now scheduled for House floor debate under structured rules as of June 30.
- Needs full House vote, then Senate passage before going to president—typical timeline for social welfare bills is 2-4 months when bipartisan.
- Contact your House rep to weigh in before floor vote; track progress at Congress.gov using bill number H.R. 8884.
Legislative History
Actions.
- Jun 30, 2026 — Rules 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.
- Jun 25, 2026 — Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 620.
- Jun 25, 2026 — Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-714.
- Jun 25, 2026 — Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-714.
- May 21, 2026 — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 16.
- May 21, 2026 — Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- May 19, 2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- May 19, 2026 — Introduced in House