The CLOSE Act would terminate three pandemic-era unemployment assistance programs created under the CARES Act, effective 30 days after the bill becomes law. These programs—Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation—provided enhanced jobless benefits and expanded eligibility during the COVID-19 crisis. The bill would immediately stop all benefit payments under these programs, though states could continue receiving administrative funds to process existing claims. Additionally, the legislation would rescind any unspent federal appropriations that were set aside for these unemployment programs, reclaiming those funds for other government uses. The bill, introduced by Ohio representatives in February 2026, would affect millions of Americans currently receiving these benefits and prevent states from entering new agreements to continue the programs.
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