Today’s American Dream Act
Latest action (26 Sep 2017): Introduced
What this bill does
The Today's American Dream Act, introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) in September 2017, is a broad package aimed at boosting economic growth and investment in underserved communities. Its provisions span workforce training (a pilot job-skills program for workers over 45, extensions and expansions of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, a new tax credit for hiring student "interns," YouthBuild funding changes, and STEM teacher scholarship and degree-grant programs), community investment (housing and commercial development, measures addressing "food deserts" and retail underinvestment, a broadband study, and expanded direct lending to small businesses), innovation policy (a Commission on Innovation, local business incubator funding, and an extended New Markets Tax Credit), and health care access (studies and grants involving the uninsured, dental care, critical access hospitals, and community health centers).
The bill would affect a wide range of groups: older job seekers, employers hiring veterans, ex-offenders, and other targeted workers, college students studying STEM fields who commit to teaching, small businesses and financial institutions seeking loans or tax credits, farmers with base acreage, and residents of low-income or underserved urban and rural communities who might benefit from new investment, health care, or infrastructure programs.
The bill was introduced on September 26, 2017, and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee along with several other committees with jurisdiction over its various provisions. According to the official record, it did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 115th Congress.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Today's American Dream Act
This bill establishes new programs or amends existing programs related to workforce and community development. It directs: (1) the Department of Labor to award grants for job skills training for older individuals (older than age 45) and for workers in highly-skilled industries; and (2) the Department of Education to award scholarships to students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) and teaching certifications.
The bill also amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) expand and extend the work opportunity tax credit, (2) allow tax credits for wages paid to interns by small business owners, and (3) extend and increase the new markets tax credit.
With respect to community development, the bill limits the first-time homebuyer tax credit to residences purchased in economically distressed communities. It requires the Small Business Administration to make grants for commercial investment in economically underserved communities and direct loans to small business concerns.
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on efforts to expand access to broadband service.
The bill establishes a Commission on Innovation in the Office of Management and Budget to study new and developing technologies.
The Department of Health and Human Services must: (1) study characteristics of populations that do not have health insurance coverage, and (2) award grants for free dental health services in underserved communities.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 3839 do?
- The Today's American Dream Act, introduced by Rep. Robin Kelly (D-IL) in September 2017, is a broad package aimed at boosting economic growth and investment in underserved communities. Its provisions span workforce training (a pilot job-skills program for workers over 45, extensions and expansions of the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, a new tax credit for hiring student "interns," YouthBuild funding changes, and STEM teacher scholarship and degree-grant programs), community investment (housing and commercial development, measures addressing "food deserts" and retail underinvestment, a broadband study, and expanded direct lending to small businesses), innovation policy (a Commission on Innovation, local business incubator funding, and an extended New Markets Tax Credit), and health care access (studies and grants involving the uninsured, dental care, critical access hospitals, and community health centers). The bill would affect a wide range of groups: older job seekers, employers hiring veterans, ex-offenders, and other targeted workers, college students studying STEM fields who commit to teaching, small businesses and financial institutions seeking loans or tax credits, farmers with base acreage, and residents of low-income or underserved urban and rural communities who might benefit from new investment, health care, or infrastructure programs. The bill was introduced on September 26, 2017, and referred to the House Ways and Means Committee along with several other committees with jurisdiction over its various provisions. According to the official record, it did not receive a vote and did not advance further in the 115th Congress.
- Has H.R. 3839 become law?
- Not yet. As of 26 Sep 2017, H.R. 3839 is introduced.
- Who sponsored H.R. 3839?
- H.R. 3839 was sponsored by Rep. Robin Kelly [D-IL2] (Democrat-IL), with 30 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 3839?
- Introduced (26 Sep 2017).
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