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Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act

USA119th CongressHR-8872| House 
| Updated: 6/3/2026
Mike Carey

Mike Carey

Republican Representative

Ohio

Cosponsors (8)
Adrian Smith (Republican)Claudia Tenney (Republican)Aaron Bean (Republican)Carol D. Miller (Republican)Jodey C. Arrington (Republican)Blake D. Moore (Republican)Max L. Miller (Republican)Randy Feenstra (Republican)

Ways and Means Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act seeks to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It mandates that states apply the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 to their TANF programs, requiring them to identify, measure, and report improper payments. Furthermore, the bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a plan within one year to significantly reduce or eliminate these improper payments within a decade. To ensure funds reach those most in need, the legislation establishes an income threshold, requiring states to use TANF grants only for families whose income is less than twice the federal poverty guidelines . It also introduces strict deadlines for states to obligate funds by the end of the succeeding fiscal year and expend them by the end of the second succeeding fiscal year, though a limited amount can be reserved for future use. Crucially, the bill prohibits states from using federal TANF funds to supplant their own state and local spending, requiring a certification from the chief executive officer to ensure federal funds supplement existing efforts.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

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Timeline
May 19, 2026
Introduced in House
May 19, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
May 21, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.
May 21, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
May 29, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 584.
May 29, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
Jun 3, 2026
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1333 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
Jun 3, 2026
Rule H. Res. 1333 passed House.
Jun 3, 2026
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333. (consideration: CR H3805-3810; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3805-3806)
Jun 3, 2026
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333.
Jun 3, 2026
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
Jun 3, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8872.
Jun 3, 2026
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Jun 3, 2026
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.
  • May 19, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 19, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.


  • May 21, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.


  • May 21, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 29, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 584.


  • May 29, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.


  • June 3, 2026
    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1333 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.


  • June 3, 2026
    Rule H. Res. 1333 passed House.


  • June 3, 2026
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333. (consideration: CR H3805-3810; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3805-3806)


  • June 3, 2026
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333.


  • June 3, 2026
    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.


  • June 3, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8872.


  • June 3, 2026
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.


  • June 3, 2026
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.

Social Welfare

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2359: Improve Transparency and Stability for Families and Children Act
  • HR 119-2242: Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act
  • HRES 119-1333: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8646) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7726) to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to withhold funds from noncompliant States under such Act; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7892) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require to the Secretary of Education to use an identity fraud detection system to review each FAFSA to determine whether the FAFSA presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8872) to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to target funds to low-income families, strengthen program integrity guardrails for State expenditure of funds, require measurement of improper payments, and establish goals for eliminating fraud and improper payments under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, and for other purposes.
Congressional oversightGovernment information and archivesIntergovernmental relationsPoverty and welfare assistanceState and local financeState and local government operations

Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act

USA119th CongressHR-8872| House 
| Updated: 6/3/2026
The Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act seeks to enhance the integrity and effectiveness of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. It mandates that states apply the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 to their TANF programs, requiring them to identify, measure, and report improper payments. Furthermore, the bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a plan within one year to significantly reduce or eliminate these improper payments within a decade. To ensure funds reach those most in need, the legislation establishes an income threshold, requiring states to use TANF grants only for families whose income is less than twice the federal poverty guidelines . It also introduces strict deadlines for states to obligate funds by the end of the succeeding fiscal year and expend them by the end of the second succeeding fiscal year, though a limited amount can be reserved for future use. Crucially, the bill prohibits states from using federal TANF funds to supplant their own state and local spending, requiring a certification from the chief executive officer to ensure federal funds supplement existing efforts.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
2 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
May 19, 2026
Introduced in House
May 19, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
May 21, 2026
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.
May 21, 2026
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
May 29, 2026
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 584.
May 29, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
Jun 3, 2026
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1333 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
Jun 3, 2026
Rule H. Res. 1333 passed House.
Jun 3, 2026
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333. (consideration: CR H3805-3810; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3805-3806)
Jun 3, 2026
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333.
Jun 3, 2026
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
Jun 3, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8872.
Jun 3, 2026
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Jun 3, 2026
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.
  • May 19, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • May 19, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.


  • May 21, 2026
    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.


  • May 21, 2026
    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held


  • May 29, 2026
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 584.


  • May 29, 2026
    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.


  • June 3, 2026
    Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1333 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.


  • June 3, 2026
    Rule H. Res. 1333 passed House.


  • June 3, 2026
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333. (consideration: CR H3805-3810; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3805-3806)


  • June 3, 2026
    Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333.


  • June 3, 2026
    Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.


  • June 3, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8872.


  • June 3, 2026
    The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.


  • June 3, 2026
    POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.
Mike Carey

Mike Carey

Republican Representative

Ohio

Cosponsors (8)
Adrian Smith (Republican)Claudia Tenney (Republican)Aaron Bean (Republican)Carol D. Miller (Republican)Jodey C. Arrington (Republican)Blake D. Moore (Republican)Max L. Miller (Republican)Randy Feenstra (Republican)

Ways and Means Committee

Social Welfare

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2359: Improve Transparency and Stability for Families and Children Act
  • HR 119-2242: Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act
  • HRES 119-1333: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8646) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7726) to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to withhold funds from noncompliant States under such Act; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7892) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require to the Secretary of Education to use an identity fraud detection system to review each FAFSA to determine whether the FAFSA presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8872) to amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to target funds to low-income families, strengthen program integrity guardrails for State expenditure of funds, require measurement of improper payments, and establish goals for eliminating fraud and improper payments under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, and for other purposes.
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Congressional oversightGovernment information and archivesIntergovernmental relationsPoverty and welfare assistanceState and local financeState and local government operations