A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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
This bill, known as the FUTURE of Workers Act, provides support and retraining for workers who lose their jobs due to automation or artificial intelligence. It sets up government action requirements when national unemployment rates cross specific thresholds of 6 percent, 7.5 percent, and 9 percent. The legislation establishes a Worker Adaptation and Training Program to offer career counseling, retraining, relocation assistance, monthly financial support, and medical assistance options to displaced workers. It also creates reporting requirements regarding technology impacts and extends advance notice periods for plant closings and mass layoffs. To fund these programs, the bill imposes excise taxes on certain artificial intelligence services and contribution rates on employers who displace workers due to covered technologies.
Yes· 3 of 39
- Scored +7
Does this raise the taxes companies pay?
Section 11 and Section 12 impose new excise taxes on artificial intelligence services, worker adaptation contributions, and excess displacement accountability taxes on corporations.
- Scored +7
Does this put more rules on large technology companies?
Section 11 imposes targeted excise taxes on large artificial intelligence service providers based on U.S. AI receipts exceeding thresholds.
- Scored +6
Would people in middle age be better off under this?
Displaced mid-career workers receive extensive financial support, retraining, and wage replacement assistance.
The opposite· 3 of 7
- Scored -6
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
Section 4 authorizes significant new appropriations of $60 billion annually to fund the Worker Adaptation and Training Program.
- Scored -5
Does this increase support for people who lose their jobs?
Section 4 requires applicants to stop receiving unemployment compensation if accepted into the Worker Adaptation and Training Program.
- Scored -4
Would high-income households be better off under this?
High-income providers of covered AI services and large corporate employers face significant new excise taxes and contributions.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Financial and Retraining Support: Under Section 4, eligible displaced workers can receive monthly financial assistance known as New Foundations Support Payments, individual career counseling, retraining in in-demand industries, and up to $10,000 in relocation assistance if required for new employment or training.
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Wage Replacement Assistance: Section 4(d)(5) provides wage replacement assistance for up to five years for non-recent graduate participants who are placed in qualified employment at wages lower than their previous positions, helping bridge the gap in their earnings.
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Optional Medicaid Coverage: Section 4(d)(4) allows States to provide medical assistance under Medicaid to program participants and their dependents who do not otherwise have creditable coverage, extending eligibility for six months after placement in qualified employment.
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Small Business and Civil Service Priorities: Sections 5 and 6 require the Small Business Administration to prioritize program participants for loans and grants with a dedicated set-aside, and direct the Office of Personnel Management to assist participants in applying for civil service positions.
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Extended Layoff Notice: Section 8 amends the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act to increase the notification period for plant closings and mass layoffs from 60 days to 120 days, giving workers more time to prepare for transitions.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Excise Tax on AI Services: Section 11 imposes a tax ranging from 4 to 8 percent on United States artificial intelligence service receipts exceeding $50 million for covered persons, which may increase costs for consumers and businesses utilizing these technologies.
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Employer Contribution and Accountability Burdens: Section 12 imposes worker adaptation contributions and excess displacement accountability taxes on covered employers based on their displacement ratios and eliminated positions, which could impose financial burdens or alter hiring and operational decisions for businesses.
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Loss of Unemployment Compensation: Section 4(d)(1)(B)(ii)(III) requires applicants to attest that they are not receiving unemployment compensation under Federal or State law, or that they will stop receiving such compensation if accepted into the Worker Adaptation and Training Program.
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 households on low incomes be better off under this? — Displaced workers receive monthly financial support, optional Medicaid coverage, and relocation assistance to prevent severe financial hardship. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Displaced mid-career workers receive extensive financial support, retraining, and wage replacement assistance. Would union members be better off under this? — Section 4 strongly encourages labor organization involvement, registered apprenticeships, and labor-management partnerships. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Wage replacement assistance bridges earnings gaps for workers transitioning into new roles after displacement. Would students be better off under this? — Recent graduates facing employment barriers due to automation are explicitly classified as covered workers eligible for support. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Section 4 connects participants with Veteran Business Outreach Centers and civil service hiring preferences. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Recent graduates facing automation-driven displacement are explicitly covered under the retraining and support programs. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Section 7 tracks impacts on protected classes to ensure equitable outcomes in workforce transition programs. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Retraining and support services are broadly available to all displaced workers regardless of background. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Workforce development resources and targeted equity reporting support minority workers facing technological displacement. Would men be better off under this? — Male workers in at-risk occupations like manufacturing and logistics benefit directly from retraining and wage assistance. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Tribal entities are explicitly included in reimbursement options and workforce programs under Section 12. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Protected class definitions ensure individuals with disabilities receive equitable consideration in technology impact reports. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Regional workforce boards and state agencies will distribute training resources to rural areas experiencing worker displacement. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban labor markets facing significant AI and automation disruption will host localized retraining projects. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Displaced workers of all demographics have access to comprehensive retraining and financial stabilization services. Would women be better off under this? — Programs coordinate with women's business centers and ensure equal access to retraining and entrepreneurship support. Would farmers be better off under this? — Rural and agricultural communities benefit from regional workforce investments and local economic development initiatives. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Displaced immigrant workers engaged in remuneration labor are eligible for program services and support. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — Protected class monitoring helps ensure that technological transition programs remain equitable. Would retired people be better off under this? — Trust fund provisions and overall economic stability measures support broader community well-being. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Older workers displaced by technology benefit from targeted career counseling and upskilling opportunities. Would billionaires be better off under this? — Major stakeholders in artificial intelligence companies are subject to progressive excise tax rates under Section 11. Would high-income households be better off under this? — High-income providers of covered AI services and large corporate employers face significant new excise taxes and contributions. Would people with substantial wealth be better off under this? — Substantial taxes on large AI receipts and corporate surtaxes reduce returns for high-net-worth investors in affected tech sectors. Would the very wealthiest people be better off under this? — Billionaires and ultra-wealthy owners of large artificial intelligence enterprises face heavy excise taxes on qualifying AI receipts. Would business owners be better off under this? — Covered businesses face increased reporting burdens, worker adaptation contributions, and potential AI service excise taxes.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this raise the taxes companies pay? — Section 11 and Section 12 impose new excise taxes on artificial intelligence services, worker adaptation contributions, and excess displacement accountability taxes on corporations. Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Section 6 directs the Small Business Administration to prioritize program participants for loans and grants with a dedicated 1.5 percent set-aside. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill establishes a Worker Adaptation and Training Program providing career counseling, retraining, and incentives for hiring displaced workers. Does this cut taxes for small businesses? — Section 9 creates an employee upskilling tax credit to help small businesses and other employers offset training expenditures. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The creation of dedicated trust funds and revenue sources like AI service excise taxes helps offset the costs of new worker support programs. Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise? — Section 4 mandates collaboration with labor organizations and labor-management partnerships in establishing retraining projects and registered apprenticeships. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Upskilling and retraining displaced workers help reintegrate them into the modern labor market, supporting long-term economic adaptability. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Section 4 authorizes significant new appropriations of $60 billion annually to fund the Worker Adaptation and Training Program. Does this increase support for people who lose their jobs? — Section 4 requires applicants to stop receiving unemployment compensation if accepted into the Worker Adaptation and Training Program.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more rules on large technology companies? — Section 11 imposes targeted excise taxes on large artificial intelligence service providers based on U.S. AI receipts exceeding thresholds. Does this put more money into public schools? — Community colleges and technical schools are integrated into retraining projects, driving educational program enrollment. Does this put more money into scientific research? — Section 7 requires ongoing reports and collaboration with scientific agencies like NIST and NSF regarding technology trends.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Sections 7 and 8 mandate comprehensive annual reports on automation impacts, employment trends, and extended advance notice for plant closings. Does this give the federal government more power? — The legislation establishes new federal reporting requirements, emergency interagency taskforces, and nationwide worker adaptation programs.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — Program participants and their dependents are granted the option of state Medicaid coverage for the duration of the program and six months post-placement. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — Section 4 allows states to provide optional Medicaid coverage to Worker Adaptation and Training Program participants and their dependents.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Monthly financial assistance, wage replacement, and retraining help lift displaced workers out of sudden poverty caused by technological displacement. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Section 7 requires the tracking and reporting of demographics and protected classes most likely to be impacted by covered technology adoption.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Workforce development and training programs are distributed locally to ensure rural and regional communities benefit from economic transitions.
- 9/30/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey