Legis Daily

Put America on Commission Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-7412| House 
| Updated: 2/20/2026
Roger Williams

Roger Williams

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (1)
Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)

Small Business Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation amends the Small Business Act to establish the **Office of Whistleblower Awards** within the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Office's primary purpose is to encourage and reward individuals who provide original information regarding financial misconduct or fraudulent misrepresentation by recipients of SBA financial assistance, specifically focusing on **COVID loan actions**. It will coordinate with the Inspector General to verify the originality of submitted information and track its use in enforcement actions. Whistleblowers become eligible for an award if their original information leads to a final conviction or a settlement/plea agreement in a COVID loan action. The award amount is set at **10 percent** of the collected funds if the convicted or settling party is a U.S. national or entity, and **15 percent** if they are a foreign national or entity. In cases with multiple whistleblowers, only the individual making the most substantial contribution will receive the award, based on criteria such as the significance of their information and their role in the outcome. A dedicated **Whistleblower Award Fund** will be established in the Department of the Treasury to finance these awards and cover the operational costs of the Office. This fund will be replenished by all amounts collected by the Federal Government from parties convicted or settling in COVID loan actions that were based on whistleblower information. The bill also imposes a **civil monetary penalty** equal to 30 percent of the principal loan amounts for those found liable in COVID loan actions, with these penalties also contributing to the Award Fund. The legislation includes important protections for whistleblowers, prohibiting retaliation and providing avenues for appeal of certain determinations made by the Office. It also mandates that the Administrator submit annual reports to Congress detailing the program's activities, awards disbursed, and any recommendations for improvement. The authority granted by this section is designed to terminate once all relevant COVID loan actions have been fully resolved and are no longer subject to appeal.

Bill Text Versions

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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7129
Put America on Commission Act of 2024
Feb 5, 2026
Introduced in House
Feb 5, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Feb 11, 2026
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 0.
Feb 11, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 20, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 425.
Feb 20, 2026
Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-499.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7129
    Put America on Commission Act of 2024


  • February 5, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • February 5, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.


  • February 11, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 0.


  • February 11, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • February 20, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 425.


  • February 20, 2026
    Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-499.

Commerce

Civil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationEmployment discrimination and employee rightsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment lending and loan guaranteesInfectious and parasitic diseases

Put America on Commission Act of 2026

USA119th CongressHR-7412| House 
| Updated: 2/20/2026
This legislation amends the Small Business Act to establish the **Office of Whistleblower Awards** within the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Office's primary purpose is to encourage and reward individuals who provide original information regarding financial misconduct or fraudulent misrepresentation by recipients of SBA financial assistance, specifically focusing on **COVID loan actions**. It will coordinate with the Inspector General to verify the originality of submitted information and track its use in enforcement actions. Whistleblowers become eligible for an award if their original information leads to a final conviction or a settlement/plea agreement in a COVID loan action. The award amount is set at **10 percent** of the collected funds if the convicted or settling party is a U.S. national or entity, and **15 percent** if they are a foreign national or entity. In cases with multiple whistleblowers, only the individual making the most substantial contribution will receive the award, based on criteria such as the significance of their information and their role in the outcome. A dedicated **Whistleblower Award Fund** will be established in the Department of the Treasury to finance these awards and cover the operational costs of the Office. This fund will be replenished by all amounts collected by the Federal Government from parties convicted or settling in COVID loan actions that were based on whistleblower information. The bill also imposes a **civil monetary penalty** equal to 30 percent of the principal loan amounts for those found liable in COVID loan actions, with these penalties also contributing to the Award Fund. The legislation includes important protections for whistleblowers, prohibiting retaliation and providing avenues for appeal of certain determinations made by the Office. It also mandates that the Administrator submit annual reports to Congress detailing the program's activities, awards disbursed, and any recommendations for improvement. The authority granted by this section is designed to terminate once all relevant COVID loan actions have been fully resolved and are no longer subject to appeal.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-7129
Put America on Commission Act of 2024
Feb 5, 2026
Introduced in House
Feb 5, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
Feb 11, 2026
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 0.
Feb 11, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
Feb 20, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 425.
Feb 20, 2026
Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-499.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-7129
    Put America on Commission Act of 2024


  • February 5, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • February 5, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.


  • February 11, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 0.


  • February 11, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • February 20, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 425.


  • February 20, 2026
    Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-499.
Roger Williams

Roger Williams

Republican Representative

Texas

Cosponsors (1)
Johnny Olszewski (Democratic)

Small Business Committee

Commerce

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Civil actions and liabilityCongressional oversightCriminal investigation, prosecution, interrogationEmployment discrimination and employee rightsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment lending and loan guaranteesInfectious and parasitic diseases