Encouraging Work Act of 2005

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 10, 2005

Encouraging Work Act of 2005 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to consolidate and modify provisions of the work opportunity tax credit and the welfare-to-work tax credit and make the consolidated tax credit permanent. Expands eligibility for the consolidated tax credit by: (1) determining eligibility of ex-felons without regard to family income; and (2) raising the age ceiling for food stamp recipients from 25 to 40. Includes a "designated community resident" (in lieu of "high risk youth") and "long-term family assistance recipient" as members of the targeted group eligible for the consolidated tax credit. Provides for an increased tax credit for employment of long-term family assistance recipients.

Repeals the separate welfare-to-work tax credit.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Sen. Santorum, Rick [R-PA] · R–PA

Committees

Finance Committee

8 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Mar 10, 2005
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Mar 10, 2005
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S2488-2490)
Mar 10, 2005
Introduced in Senate

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in Senate · Mar 10, 2005 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

HR 1272 · Encouraging Work Act of 2005

Source last updated: Dec 5, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze S.595 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.

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Discuss S.595, 109th Congress: Encouraging Work Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-bill/595

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2005-03-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/s595/BILLS-109s595is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T18:40:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze S.595 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.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine S.595 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.

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Discuss S.595, 109th Congress: Encouraging Work Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-bill/595

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2005-03-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/s595/BILLS-109s595is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T18:40:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.595 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.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine S.595 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.595, 109th Congress: Encouraging Work Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-bill/595

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2005-03-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/s595/BILLS-109s595is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T18:40:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.595 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.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine S.595 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.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss S.595, 109th Congress: Encouraging Work Act of 2005

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/senate-bill/595

Text version to examine: Introduced in Senate · 2005-03-10.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/s595/BILLS-109s595is.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-12-05T18:40:46Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine S.595 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.