In support of these goals, several UI programs provide benefits for eligible unemployed workers. For information on the expired Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) program, which provided additional unemployment benefits depending on state economic conditions from July 2008 to December 2013, see CRS Report R42444, Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08): Status of Benefits Prior to Expiration . President's Budget Proposal for FY2019

The President's budget for FY2019 proposes changes to several aspects of the UI system. For information on a previous attempt to create a paid benefit for the birth or adoption of a child through the UC program, see CRS In Focus IF10643, Unemployment Compensation (UC) and Family Leave . Enacted Laws in the 115th Congress

		Congressional Review Act: Disapproval of Unemployment Compensation Drug Testing Regulations (H.J.Res. 42/P.L. 115-17)

On March 31, 2017, President Donald Trump signed H.J.Res. 42 / P.L. This Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution negated 20 C.F.R. Part 620. This rule had set out the circumstances under which states were allowed to prospectively drug test UC claimants based upon the prevalence of drug testing in the occupations in which they were seeking employment. 115-123)

On February 9, 2018, President Donald Trump signed the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 ( P.L. Among other provisions, P.L. 115-123 includes two UI-related changes. 115-123 authorizes a deferral of interest payments on an outstanding federal UI loan for the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). 115-123 codifies Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEAs) for UI beneficiaries into Title III of the Social Security Act (SSA) and provides an allocation formula for the funds and other requirements. 115-254 , the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, was signed into law on October 5, 2018. Among its many provisions, it retroactively extended Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for an additional 26 weeks for persons who were unemployed in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as a direct result of the 2017 Hurricane Irma or Hurricane Maria disasters. (This created a total potential entitlement to DUA of up to 52 weeks for some individuals.) Legislative Proposals in the 115th Congress

		Rehiring UI Beneficiaries and Exhaustees

Representative David McKinley introduced the Manufacturing Economic Recovery Act of 2017,  H.R. 3702 . 4470 . Vouchers and Demonstration Projects

Representative James Renacci sponsored  H.R. H.R. Unemployment Benefits for Energy Workers

Senator Jeff Merkley and Representative Jared Polis introduced S. 987 and H.R. 3330 , the Ensuring Quality in the Unemployment Insurance Program (EQUIP) Act. Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX)51

Representative Steve Russell sponsored H.R.
The 115th Congress continues to consider many issues related to the two major components of the unemployment insurance (UI) system: Unemployment Compensation (UC) and Extended Benefits (EB). This report begins with a brief overview of the UI programs that may provide benefits to eligible unemployed workers. It provides information on legislation enacted in the 115th Congress related to UI programs. In addition, this report includes short summaries of legislative proposals introduced in the 115th Congress as a well as UI proposals included in the President's budget for FY2019.
President Trump signed H.J.Res. 42 on March 30, 2017 (P.L. 115-17). This Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution negated 20 C.F.R. Part 620. This now-negated rule had set out the circumstances under which states were allowed to prospectively drug test UC claimants based upon the prevalence of drug testing in the occupations in which they were seeking employment. Additionally, President Trump signed P.L. 115-123, the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, on February 9, 2018. Among other provisions, P.L. 115-123 includes two types of UI provisions: (1) codification of Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessments (RESEAs) for UI beneficiaries, including funding and other requirements; and (2) a deferral of outstanding interest on federal UI loans for the U.S. Virgin Islands.
President Trump signed P.L. 115-254, the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018, on October 5, 2018. Among its many provisions, this law temporarily extends the duration of Disaster Unemployment Assistance (DUA) for an additional 26 weeks (up to 52 weeks total) for persons who were unemployed in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin as a direct result of the 2017 Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria disasters.
This report also describes UI legislation proposed in the 115th Congress that addresses the following:
Rehiring UI beneficiaries and exhaustees—H.R. 3702 and H.R. 4470 Vouchers and demonstration projects—H.R. 1091 Additional UI benefits for certain energy workers—S. 987 and H.R. 3314 Drug Testing—H.R. 3330 Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX)—H.R. 2861
For information on the expired Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) program, which provided additional unemployment benefits from July 2008 to December 2013, see CRS Report R42444, Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08): Status of Benefits Prior to Expiration.
For a brief overview of UC, see CRS In Focus IF10336, The Fundamentals of Unemployment Compensation.