A Democratic bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See all 88 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Stop the Wait Act of 2025" aims to remove the waiting period for people to receive Social Security disability insurance benefits. It creates a phase-down process from 2025 until the waiting period is fully eliminated on January 1, 2030. Additionally, the bill provides certain individuals without minimum essential coverage earlier access to Medicare eligibility.
Yes· 3 of 26
- Scored +10
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?
This bill specifically targets and removes barriers to benefits for people with disabilities.
- Scored +9
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Provides immediate financial support to those who cannot wait for benefit windows.
- Scored +9
Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities?
Significantly improves the financial and healthcare security of individuals with disabilities by removing waiting periods.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
The bill increases government spending by expanding eligibility and accelerating benefit payouts.
- Scored -3
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
Eliminating waiting periods for benefits will likely increase federal expenditures.
- Scored -3
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Increased spending on benefits without a specified funding source may decrease fiscal responsibility.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Faster Access to Disability Benefits: The bill eliminates the waiting period for disability insurance benefits, meaning people can receive payments sooner. This is detailed in Section 2(a).
-
Gradual Reduction of Wait Times: For those applying between 2025 and 2029, the waiting period is reduced incrementally each year. This is outlined in Section 2(b).
-
Earlier Medicare Eligibility: Certain individuals under age 65 without minimum essential coverage can bypass the 24-month waiting period for Medicare benefits and receive them retroactively. This is found in Section 3(a)(1).
-
Special Enrollment Opportunities: The bill creates special enrollment periods for those entitled to Medicare benefits under the new rules, allowing them to sign up for coverage more quickly. This is specified in Section 3(b).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — This bill specifically targets and removes barriers to benefits for people with disabilities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Provides immediate financial support to those who cannot wait for benefit windows. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Middle-aged disabled individuals benefit from the elimination of waiting periods. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Disabled veterans may benefit from faster access to Medicare and SSDI. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Younger disabled adults benefit from earlier access to benefits and healthcare. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Reduces financial strain on households supporting a disabled member. Would retired people be better off under this? — Improves the transition and eligibility for Medicare for certain disabled retirees. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors transition into Medicare and disability benefits more efficiently. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Positively impacts marginalized groups who are disproportionately affected by disability and poverty. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Positively impacts marginalized groups who are disproportionately affected by disability and poverty. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Positively impacts marginalized groups who are disproportionately affected by disability and poverty. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Broad benefit to all disabled individuals. Would men be better off under this? — Broad benefit to all disabled individuals, including men. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Positively impacts marginalized groups who are disproportionately affected by disability and poverty. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Broadly helpful to any resident with a disability. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Broadly helpful to any resident with a disability. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Positively impacts any disabled citizen regardless of race. Would women be better off under this? — Broad benefit to all disabled individuals, including women.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this expand the rights of people with disabilities? — Significantly improves the financial and healthcare security of individuals with disabilities by removing waiting periods. Does this strengthen Social Security? — Directly enhances the Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) program by eliminating wait times. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Eliminating wait periods for essential income benefits reduces the risk of poverty for disabled persons. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Immediate financial support for disabled individuals reduces the likelihood of homelessness. Does this make housing cost less? — Faster access to disability benefits can help individuals maintain stable housing.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Provides faster access to Medicare for eligible disabled individuals without essential coverage. Does this put more money into Medicare, the health coverage for people over 65? — The bill expands Medicare eligibility by removing the 24-month waiting period for certain individuals.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — Increasing disposable income for disabled individuals can provide a small stimulus to local economies. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — The bill increases government spending by expanding eligibility and accelerating benefit payouts. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — Increased spending on benefits without a specified funding source may decrease fiscal responsibility. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Eliminating waiting periods for benefits will likely increase federal expenditures.
- 9/14/2026
- 3 Cosponsors added.
- 7/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/2/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/31/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 9/30/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/28/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/25/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/4/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 73 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Yassamin AnsariDemocrat · Arizona
Sanford BishopDemocrat · Georgia
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California
Donald BeyerDemocrat · Virginia
Brendan BoyleDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Nanette BarragánDemocrat · California
Emanuel CleaverDemocrat · Missouri
Kathy CastorDemocrat · Florida
Steve CohenDemocrat · Tennessee
André CarsonDemocrat · Indiana
Judy ChuDemocrat · California
Joaquin CastroDemocrat · Texas
Jason CrowDemocrat · Colorado
Troy CarterDemocrat · Louisiana
Jasmine CrockettDemocrat · Texas
Greg CasarDemocrat · Texas
Danny DavisDemocrat · Illinois
Rosa DeLauroDemocrat · Connecticut
Debbie DingellDemocrat · Michigan
Sharice DavidsDemocrat · Kansas
Maxine DexterDemocrat · Oregon
Dwight EvansDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Adriano EspaillatDemocrat · New York
Veronica EscobarDemocrat · Texas
Cleo FieldsDemocrat · Louisiana
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Lizzie FletcherDemocrat · Texas
Raúl GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Al GreenDemocrat · Texas
John GaramendiDemocrat · California
Josh GottheimerDemocrat · New Jersey
Jesús GarcíaDemocrat · Illinois
Sylvia GarciaDemocrat · Texas
Jared GoldenDemocrat · Maine
Daniel GoldmanDemocrat · New York
Adelita GrijalvaDemocrat · Arizona
Jahana HayesDemocrat · Connecticut
Val HoyleDemocrat · Oregon
Henry JohnsonDemocrat · Georgia
Pramila JayapalDemocrat · Washington
Jonathan JacksonDemocrat · Illinois
Julie JohnsonDemocrat · Texas
Ro KhannaDemocrat · California
Teresa Leger FernandezDemocrat · New Mexico
Stephen LynchDemocrat · Massachusetts
Summer LeeDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Gwen MooreDemocrat · Wisconsin
Grace MengDemocrat · New York
Lucy McBathDemocrat · Georgia
Seth MagazinerDemocrat · Rhode Island
LaMonica McIverDemocrat · New Jersey
April McClain DelaneyDemocrat · Maryland
Sarah McBrideDemocrat · Delaware
Jerrold NadlerDemocrat · New York
Eleanor NortonDemocrat · District of Columbia
Donald NorcrossDemocrat · New Jersey
Alexandria Ocasio-CortezDemocrat · New York
Chellie PingreeDemocrat · Maine
Mark PocanDemocrat · Wisconsin
Jimmy PanettaDemocrat · California
Ayanna PressleyDemocrat · Massachusetts
Jamie RaskinDemocrat · Maryland
Delia RamirezDemocrat · Illinois
Josh RileyDemocrat · New York
Brad ShermanDemocrat · California
Janice SchakowskyDemocrat · Illinois
Linda SánchezDemocrat · California
Darren SotoDemocrat · Florida
Mary Gay ScanlonDemocrat · Pennsylvania
Mikie SherrillDemocrat · New Jersey
Emilia SykesDemocrat · Ohio
Andrea SalinasDemocrat · Oregon
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Bennie ThompsonDemocrat · Mississippi
Dina TitusDemocrat · Nevada
Paul TonkoDemocrat · New York
Mark TakanoDemocrat · California
Lori TrahanDemocrat · Massachusetts
Ritchie TorresDemocrat · New York
Sylvester TurnerDemocrat · Texas
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York
Marc VeaseyDemocrat · Texas
Maxine WatersDemocrat · California
Nikema WilliamsDemocrat · Georgia
Debbie Wasserman SchultzDemocrat · Florida
Frederica WilsonDemocrat · Florida
Bonnie Watson ColemanDemocrat · New Jersey