PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 29, 2003
Back to Work Incentive Act of 2003 - Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to direct the Secretary of Labor to allot grants to States to allocate funds to local areas to establish personal reemployment accounts for individuals identified as likely to exhaust their unemployment compensation.Provides for such accounts to: (1) accelerate reemployment; (2) promote retention in employment; and (3) give individuals more flexibility, choice, and control in obtaining intensive reemployment, training, and supportive services (as well as assistance in purchasing or leasing an automobile when necessary to allow the recipient to accept a long-term employment offer). Allows such services to be purchased through a one-stop delivery system or other providers. Permits certain amounts in accounts to be used for income support. Provides for reemployment bonuses.Requires States to establish a uniform statewide amount, up to $3,000, for each individual account. Limits the time in which amounts in an account may be used to not more than one year after the account's establishment. Prohibits the establishment of any such account beginning two years after the enactment of this Act.
People & committees
Rep. Porter, Jon C. [R-NV-3] · R–NV
Legislative record
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Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Pursuant to the provsions of H. Res. 656, the texts of H.R. 4409 and H.R. 4411 were appended to the engrossment of H.R. 444 as new matter.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 213 - 203 (Roll No. 225).
House roll call 225 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by recorded vote: 213 - 203 (Roll No. 225).
House roll call 225 · Individual votesOn motion to recommit with instructions Failed by the Yeas and Nays: 199 - 216 (Roll no. 224).
House roll call 224 · Individual votesThe previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection. (consideration: CR H3739)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kildee motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require that the bill be reported back with provisions extending unemployment benefits for unemployed workers.
Mr. Kildee moved to recommit with instructions to Education and Labor. (consideration: CR H3738-3740; text: CR H3738)
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 444.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 444 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Workforce now printed in the bill, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 4444 shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. In the engrossment of H.R. 444, the Clerk shall add the texts of H.R. 4409 and H.R. 4411 as new matter at the end of H.R. 444 and then lay H.R. 4409 and H.R. 4411 on the table.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 656. (consideration: CR H3725-3740; text of measure as reported in House: CR H3725-3727)
Rule H. Res. 656 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 656 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 444 with 1 hour of general debate. Previous question shall be considered as ordered without intervening motions except motion to recommit with or without instructions. In lieu of the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Workforce now printed in the bill, an amendment in the nature of a substitute consisting of the text of H.R. 4444 shall be considered as adopted. Measure will be considered read. Bill is closed to amendments. In the engrossment of H.R. 444, the Clerk shall add the texts of H.R. 4409 and H.R. 4410 as new matter at the end of H.R. 444 and then lay H.R. 4409 and H.R. 4410 on the table.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 22.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 108-35.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and the Workforce. H. Rept. 108-35.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 22.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 12.
Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness.
Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Mar 23, 2026. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
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Analyze H.R.444 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine H.R.444 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine H.R.444 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine H.R.444 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.