Legis Daily

Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act

USA119th CongressS-269| Senate 
| Updated: 2/10/2026
John Kennedy

John Kennedy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Cosponsors (5)
Joni Ernst (Republican)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Ashley Moody (Republican)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The legislation revises the Social Security Act to strengthen collaboration between the Social Security Administration and the Do Not Pay working system, allowing the Commissioner to share death‑related data with the agency that operates the system. It establishes a formal agreement that outlines a methodology for determining the proportional share of state death‑data costs, which the parties may review periodically. To prevent wrongful death entries , the Commissioner may only record a death when there is clear and convincing evidence that the individual is deceased. The bill also adds a new provision requiring the Commissioner to notify any cooperating agency when an error occurs in identifying a deceased person. These changes are set to take effect on December 27, 2026.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2492
Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 28, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Sep 19, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798)
Sep 19, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Sep 19, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Sep 19, 2025
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)
Sep 19, 2025
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Sep 19, 2025
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 8, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 10, 2025
Received in the House.
Oct 10, 2025
Held at the desk.
Jan 7, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2716
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 371.
Jan 12, 2026
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jan 12, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Jan 12, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637)
Jan 12, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269.
Jan 12, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
Jan 12, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Jan 12, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Jan 12, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
Jan 12, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 3, 2026
Presented to President.
Feb 10, 2026
Signed by President.
Feb 10, 2026
Became Public Law No: 119-77.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2492
    Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act


  • January 28, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 28, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • July 30, 2025
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • September 19, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798)


  • September 19, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • September 19, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • September 19, 2025
    Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)


  • September 19, 2025
    Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • September 19, 2025
    Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • October 8, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • October 10, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • October 10, 2025
    Held at the desk.


  • January 7, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2716
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 371.


  • January 12, 2026
    Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • January 12, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • January 12, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637)


  • January 12, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269.


  • January 12, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)


  • January 12, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.


  • January 12, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.


  • January 12, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)


  • January 12, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • February 3, 2026
    Presented to President.


  • February 10, 2026
    Signed by President.


  • February 10, 2026
    Became Public Law No: 119-77.

Social Welfare

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2716: Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
Disability assistanceIntergovernmental relationsSocial security and elderly assistance

Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act

USA119th CongressS-269| Senate 
| Updated: 2/10/2026
The legislation revises the Social Security Act to strengthen collaboration between the Social Security Administration and the Do Not Pay working system, allowing the Commissioner to share death‑related data with the agency that operates the system. It establishes a formal agreement that outlines a methodology for determining the proportional share of state death‑data costs, which the parties may review periodically. To prevent wrongful death entries , the Commissioner may only record a death when there is clear and convincing evidence that the individual is deceased. The bill also adds a new provision requiring the Commissioner to notify any cooperating agency when an error occurs in identifying a deceased person. These changes are set to take effect on December 27, 2026.

Bill Text Versions

View Text
4 versions available

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2492
Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
Jan 28, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Jan 28, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Jul 30, 2025
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
Sep 19, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798)
Sep 19, 2025
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Sep 19, 2025
Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
Sep 19, 2025
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)
Sep 19, 2025
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Sep 19, 2025
Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
Oct 8, 2025
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Oct 10, 2025
Received in the House.
Oct 10, 2025
Held at the desk.
Jan 7, 2026

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2716
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 371.
Jan 12, 2026
Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Jan 12, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules.
Jan 12, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637)
Jan 12, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269.
Jan 12, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
Jan 12, 2026
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Jan 12, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.
Jan 12, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
Jan 12, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 3, 2026
Presented to President.
Feb 10, 2026
Signed by President.
Feb 10, 2026
Became Public Law No: 119-77.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2492
    Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act


  • January 28, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • January 28, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.


  • July 30, 2025
    Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.


  • September 19, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798)


  • September 19, 2025
    Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • September 19, 2025
    Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.


  • September 19, 2025
    Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)


  • September 19, 2025
    Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • September 19, 2025
    Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.


  • October 8, 2025
    Message on Senate action sent to the House.


  • October 10, 2025
    Received in the House.


  • October 10, 2025
    Held at the desk.


  • January 7, 2026

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2716
    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 371.


  • January 12, 2026
    Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.


  • January 12, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules.


  • January 12, 2026
    Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637)


  • January 12, 2026
    DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269.


  • January 12, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)


  • January 12, 2026
    Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.


  • January 12, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.


  • January 12, 2026
    On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)


  • January 12, 2026
    Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.


  • February 3, 2026
    Presented to President.


  • February 10, 2026
    Signed by President.


  • February 10, 2026
    Became Public Law No: 119-77.
John Kennedy

John Kennedy

Republican Senator

Louisiana

Cosponsors (5)
Joni Ernst (Republican)Margaret Wood Hassan (Democratic)Ashley Moody (Republican)Mark R. Warner (Democratic)Gary C. Peters (Democratic)

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee

Social Welfare

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2716: Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Disability assistanceIntergovernmental relationsSocial security and elderly assistance