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Committee advances No Boss Act to expand self‑employment assistance for unemployed workers
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Summary
HR 6431, the No Boss Act, would modernize the Self‑Employment Assistance program to broaden eligibility, raise participation caps from 5% to 10%, and require Labor Department guidance; the committee reported the bill 41–0.
The House Ways and Means Committee reported HR 6431, the New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self‑Sufficiency Act (the "No Boss Act"), intended to expand the Self‑Employment Assistance (SEA) program and encourage unemployed workers to start small businesses while receiving unemployment benefits.
Sponsor Rep. Mike Carey told the committee the bill removes restrictive eligibility language, raises the participation cap from 5% to 10%, and clarifies acceptable entrepreneurship activities (business plan or market feasibility study plus weekly certification). He said the measure is modeled on successful state pilot programs and includes a new requirement for the Secretary of Labor to provide model guidance to states.
Members across the aisle expressed support for the concept while raising concerns about program complexity, overpayments, and verification of participation; Rep. Davis suggested a waiver for non‑fraud overpayments to protect participants in the transition. The committee adopted the chairman's substitute and voted to favorably report HR 6431 as amended. The clerk announced the tally: 41 yes, 0 no.
The committee authorized staff to make technical changes and allowed members two days to file supplemental views before the bill moves to the House floor.
