Federal Jobs Guarantee Development Act of 2026

Key Points

• The Labor Department would create a test program in up to 15 communities with very high unemployment. In these areas, the government would guarantee a job to any adult who wants one. The goal is to see if providing a job to everyone who needs one can help fix local economies and reduce poverty.
• Participants would work on important community projects like providing childcare, caring for seniors, building clean energy systems, or repairing local roads and bridges. The law ensures these new positions do not replace existing workers or interfere with current union agreements.
• Workers in the program would earn a living wage and receive health insurance similar to what federal employees get. They would also be guaranteed paid sick leave and paid family leave. To help them prepare for the work, the program provides up to eight weeks of paid job training.
• The policy includes extra support to help people stay employed, such as money for transportation, childcare, and housing. It also provides specific help for people with criminal records or disabilities to ensure they have an equal chance to participate in the workforce.
• After the three-year pilot ends, the government will study how the program changed the community. Researchers will look at whether it lowered crime, improved public health, or helped the environment. Additionally, private businesses that hire people who finished the program would receive a special tax credit.