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Protecting Retirement and Health Benefits for Families Act

USA119th CongressHR-3468| House 
| Updated: 6/6/2025
Mikie Sherrill

Mikie Sherrill

Democratic Representative

New Jersey

Ways and Means Committee, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Financial Services Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill requires the heads of several key federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration , IRS , CMS , VA , and HUD , to certify to Congress before implementing significant operational changes. These changes, defined as "covered activities," encompass planned staffing cuts or regional field office closures exceeding five percent, as well as budget reallocations or structural reorganizations that could measurably reduce timely and effective services. The certification must affirm that such actions will not negatively impact the provision of Congressionally-authorized services and benefits. Specifically, agencies must ensure these changes will not reduce the receipt of benefits, increase delays in service or response times, or limit outreach efforts for eligible individuals. Along with this certification, the agency head must submit a detailed report to Congress explaining how resources or operational procedures will be adjusted to prevent issues like staffing shortages, increased wait times, or harm to regulatory and enforcement functions. To ensure accountability, the relevant Inspector General is required to conduct a study within one year of the certification and again one year after the activity is carried out. This study will assess whether the covered activity has indeed impacted services or benefits negatively. Should the Inspector General determine that adverse impacts have occurred, the bill mandates that the agency head must reverse the covered activity, including reinstating laid-off staff and reopening any shuttered regional field offices.
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Timeline
May 15, 2025
Introduced in House
May 15, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Veterans' Affairs, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 6, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
  • May 15, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 15, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Veterans' Affairs, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • June 6, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.

Government Operations and Politics

Protecting Retirement and Health Benefits for Families Act

USA119th CongressHR-3468| House 
| Updated: 6/6/2025
This bill requires the heads of several key federal agencies, including the Social Security Administration , IRS , CMS , VA , and HUD , to certify to Congress before implementing significant operational changes. These changes, defined as "covered activities," encompass planned staffing cuts or regional field office closures exceeding five percent, as well as budget reallocations or structural reorganizations that could measurably reduce timely and effective services. The certification must affirm that such actions will not negatively impact the provision of Congressionally-authorized services and benefits. Specifically, agencies must ensure these changes will not reduce the receipt of benefits, increase delays in service or response times, or limit outreach efforts for eligible individuals. Along with this certification, the agency head must submit a detailed report to Congress explaining how resources or operational procedures will be adjusted to prevent issues like staffing shortages, increased wait times, or harm to regulatory and enforcement functions. To ensure accountability, the relevant Inspector General is required to conduct a study within one year of the certification and again one year after the activity is carried out. This study will assess whether the covered activity has indeed impacted services or benefits negatively. Should the Inspector General determine that adverse impacts have occurred, the bill mandates that the agency head must reverse the covered activity, including reinstating laid-off staff and reopening any shuttered regional field offices.
View Full Text

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Timeline
May 15, 2025
Introduced in House
May 15, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Veterans' Affairs, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Jun 6, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
  • May 15, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • May 15, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Energy and Commerce, Veterans' Affairs, and Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • June 6, 2025
    Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
Mikie Sherrill

Mikie Sherrill

Democratic Representative

New Jersey

Ways and Means Committee, Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Financial Services Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, Energy and Commerce Committee

Government Operations and Politics

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted