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S. 136: ELEVATE Act of 2019

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S. 136: ELEVATE Act of 2019

116th Congress · introduced 2019-01-15 · Social Welfare · Latest: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2019-01-15 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. Not final yet: this can still change. We check for updates every day.
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

ELEVATE Act of 2019

Plain summary

Economic Ladders to End Volatility and Advance Training and Employment Act of 2019 or the ELEVATE Act of 2019 This bill establishes a federal program to help fund (1) state- and tribe-run job-assistance programs, and (2) assistance for self-employed individuals and workers who relocate for employment opportunities. The Department of Health and Human Services shall provide funds for programs that assist eligible individuals, such as those who face barriers to employment. Such programs shall provide employment services, training, and related services. The bill also establishes criteria for using such funds for various purposes, including subsidized jobs. The bill also establishes various reporting and application requirements for states seeking funds for such programs. The bill establishes an assistance program for self-employed individuals who meet various requirements and whose most recent contracts ended through no fault of their own. Such individuals shall be entitled to a weekly benefit equal to half of the average weekly earnings from their last employment, not to exceed the maximum available for unemployment benefits. An individual may not concurrently receive unemployment compensation and self-employment assistance. Dislocated workers and long-term unemployed individuals shall be entitled to assistance for moving to a new area to earn family-sustaining employment. Such assistance may cover up to 90% of reasonable expenses, subject to a cap of $2,000 for an individual. The bill establishes the Office of Reemployment Assistance in the Social Security Administration to administer the self-employment and relocation assistance programs.

Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

ELEVATE Act of 2019

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Introduced in Senate)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] · 4 cosponsors

Cost estimate: No cost estimate published yet.

Cosponsors on this site

Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)

Sponsor's campaign money: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR] reported raising $1.9 million (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Words on this page, explained (2)
Bill
A proposed law. It becomes law only if it passes the legislature and is signed by the president or governor (or a veto is overridden).
Securities
Financial investments that can be bought and sold, such as stocks and bonds.

Plain meanings written from linked sources. All words.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong116-s136 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong116 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong116