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Of inquiry requesting the President and directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transmit, respectively, certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the "Defend the Spend" freeze on child care payments to all States, Tribes, and Territories.

USA119th CongressHRES-1078| House 
| Updated: 2/25/2026
Judy Chu

Judy Chu

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (18)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Stacey E. Plaskett (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Steven Horsford (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)John B. Larson (Democratic)Richard E. Neal (Democratic)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Linda T. Sánchez (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Jimmy Gomez (Democratic)Bradley Scott Schneider (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This resolution of inquiry requests the President and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to transmit a wide range of documents to the House of Representatives within 14 days. The central aim is to obtain information regarding the "Defend the Spend" freeze on child care payments to States, Tribes, and Territories, which began with a December 30, 2025, tweet from the HHS Deputy Secretary halting Administration for Children and Families (ACF) payments. The requested materials include audit trails, records, correspondence, legal analyses, and contracts concerning the freeze and its impact. Specifically, the resolution seeks details on the drawdown of Child Care Entitlement to States (CCES) allocations, payment management system delays, and procedures for addressing funding complaints. It also covers social media posts by HHS, ACF, and the Executive Office of the President alleging child care fraud, resulting harassment, warning letters for alleged funding misuse, and communications with grantees about data submission. Furthermore, it requests information on payments to contractors related to "Defend the Spend," legal opinions on proprietary information, and specifics of contracts and staffing for its implementation affecting State, Tribal, or Territorial entitlements.
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Timeline
Feb 25, 2026
Submitted in House
Feb 25, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
  • February 25, 2026
    Submitted in House


  • February 25, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

Families

Of inquiry requesting the President and directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to transmit, respectively, certain documents to the House of Representatives relating to the "Defend the Spend" freeze on child care payments to all States, Tribes, and Territories.

USA119th CongressHRES-1078| House 
| Updated: 2/25/2026
This resolution of inquiry requests the President and directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to transmit a wide range of documents to the House of Representatives within 14 days. The central aim is to obtain information regarding the "Defend the Spend" freeze on child care payments to States, Tribes, and Territories, which began with a December 30, 2025, tweet from the HHS Deputy Secretary halting Administration for Children and Families (ACF) payments. The requested materials include audit trails, records, correspondence, legal analyses, and contracts concerning the freeze and its impact. Specifically, the resolution seeks details on the drawdown of Child Care Entitlement to States (CCES) allocations, payment management system delays, and procedures for addressing funding complaints. It also covers social media posts by HHS, ACF, and the Executive Office of the President alleging child care fraud, resulting harassment, warning letters for alleged funding misuse, and communications with grantees about data submission. Furthermore, it requests information on payments to contractors related to "Defend the Spend," legal opinions on proprietary information, and specifics of contracts and staffing for its implementation affecting State, Tribal, or Territorial entitlements.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline
Feb 25, 2026
Submitted in House
Feb 25, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
  • February 25, 2026
    Submitted in House


  • February 25, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Judy Chu

Judy Chu

Democratic Representative

California

Cosponsors (18)
Dwight Evans (Democratic)Stacey E. Plaskett (Democratic)Terri A. Sewell (Democratic)Steven Horsford (Democratic)Jimmy Panetta (Democratic)Suzan K. DelBene (Democratic)Thomas R. Suozzi (Democratic)Danny K. Davis (Democratic)Brendan F. Boyle (Democratic)John B. Larson (Democratic)Richard E. Neal (Democratic)Donald S. Beyer (Democratic)Mike Thompson (Democratic)Linda T. Sánchez (Democratic)Gwen Moore (Democratic)Jimmy Gomez (Democratic)Bradley Scott Schneider (Democratic)Lloyd Doggett (Democratic)

Ways and Means Committee

Families

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