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Protecting American Taxpayers Act
Introduced Jul 13, 2026 · Last action Jul 14, 2026 — Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 452.
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Summary
This legislation is called the Protecting American Taxpayers Act. Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 452.
Full bill text
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4952 Placed on Calendar Senate (PCS)]
<DOC>
Calendar No. 452
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4952
To combat fraud in Federal programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 13, 2026
Ms. Ernst introduced the following bill; which was read the first time
July 14, 2026
Read the second time and placed on the calendar
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To combat fraud in Federal programs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Protecting American Taxpayers Act''.
SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.
The table of contents for this Act is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
DIVISION A--RECOVERING STOLEN FUNDS
TITLE I--IMPROPER PAYMENTS
Sec. 1101. Short title.
Sec. 1102. Preventing fraud in child care services.
Sec. 1103. Identifying fraud in health care services.
Sec. 1104. Recovering improper payments.
TITLE II--ASSISTING SMALL BUSINESSES NOT FRAUDSTERS
Sec. 1201. Short title.
Sec. 1202. Assistance prohibited after fraud conviction.
TITLE III--WELFARE ABUSE AND LAUNDERING ZILLIONS
Sec. 1301. Short title.
Sec. 1302. Requiring investigations of certain payment increases under
State programs funded by the Department of
Health and Human Services.
TITLE IV--RETURNING UNSPENT COVID FUNDS
Sec. 1401. Short title.
Sec. 1402. Rescission of unused COVID funding.
TITLE V--BONUSES FOR COST-CUTTERS
Sec. 1501. Short title.
Sec. 1502. Cost savings enhancements.
TITLE VI--IMPROPER PAYMENTS TRANSPARENCY
Sec. 1601. Short title.
Sec. 1602. Including improper payment information in President's budget
submission.
DIVISION B--PROTECTING TAXPAYERS
TITLE I--STRENGTHENING TANF PROGRAM INTEGRITY
Sec. 2101. Strengthening program integrity by measuring improper
payments.
Sec. 2102. Prohibition on State diversion of Federal funds to replace
State spending.
Sec. 2103. Aligning and improving data reporting.
Sec. 2104. Technical corrections to data exchange standards to improve
program coordination.
TITLE II--RESTRICTION ON UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE FOR FOREIGN AGENTS
Sec. 2201. Short title.
Sec. 2202. Definitions.
Sec. 2203. Restriction on United States financial assistance.
Sec. 2204. Rule of construction.
TITLE III--OPPOSING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE TALIBAN
Sec. 2301. Short title.
Sec. 2302. Strategy to oppose foreign assistance by foreign countries
and nongovernmental organizations to the
Taliban.
Sec. 2303. Report on direct cash assistance programs in Afghanistan.
Sec. 2304. Report on status of Afghan Fund.
Sec. 2305. Sense of Congress opposing activities that support the
Taliban or normalize diplomatic relations
with the Taliban.
Sec. 2306. Defined term.
DIVISION C--CATCHING FRAUDSTERS
TITLE I--PREVENTING DEEP FAKE SCAMS
Sec. 3101. Short title.
Sec. 3102. Findings.
Sec. 3103. Report.
TITLE II--SBA FRAUD ENFORCEMENT EXTENSION ACT
Sec. 3201. Short title.
Sec. 3202. Statute of limitations for certain programs.
TITLE III--RECOVER FRAUDULENT COVID FUNDS
Sec. 3301. Short title.
Sec. 3302. Statute of limitations for violations relating to pandemic-
era programs.
TITLE IV--FRAUD ALERT SYSTEMS
Sec. 3401. Short title.
Sec. 3402. Mandatory reporting and verification of payment information.
Sec. 3403. Data access for purposes of program integrity.
TITLE V--STOPPING TRANSFERS OF PUBLIC FUNDS ABROAD
Sec. 3501. Short title.
Sec. 3502. Prohibiting individuals receiving public assistance from
conducting remittance transfers.
TITLE VI--VETERANS SCAM AND FRAUD EVASION ACT OF 2026
Sec. 3601. Short title.
Sec. 3602. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer.
TITLE VII--EXPANDING WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS FOR CONTRACTORS ACT OF
2026
Sec. 3701. Short title.
Sec. 3702. Defense contractor employees: protection from reprisal for
disclosure of certain information.
Sec. 3703. Enhancement of non-defense contractor protection from
reprisal for disclosure of certain
information.
DIVISION D--SEVERABILITY
Sec. 4101. Severability.
DIVISION A--RECOVERING STOLEN FUNDS
TITLE I--IMPROPER PAYMENTS
SEC. 1101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Stop Fraud Before Payment Act''.
SEC. 1102. PREVENTING FRAUD IN CHILD CARE SERVICES.
(a) State Plan.--Section 658E of the Child Care and Development
Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (c)(2), by adding by striking
subparagraph (S) and inserting the following:
``(S) Attendance-based billing.--The plan shall
include an assurance that the lead agency will provide
payment under this subchapter to a child care provider
based on recorded attendance, rather than enrollment
alone, in the program of the provider.''; and
(2) by adding at the end the following:
``(e) Timing of Payment.--Nothing in this subchapter shall be
construed to require a lead agency to make a payment to a child care
provider prior to the provision of child care services. The lead agency
shall make a payment under this subchapter to such a provider as
reimbursement, in a timely manner, and on the basis of the provider's
provision of child care services.''.
(b) Audits.--Section 658K of the Child Care and Development Block
Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858i) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(c) Federal Audits.--Each child care provider that receives a
payment under this subchapter shall prepare a record of attendance in
the provider's program and of the provider's provision of child care
services, and maintain the record for a period of 7 years after the
date of preparation of such record. The provider shall make such
records available for audits by the Secretary, the Attorney General,
and the Comptroller General of the United States.''.
SEC. 1103. IDENTIFYING FRAUD IN HEALTH CARE SERVICES.
(a) Medicare.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall, not later than 60 days after making a determination
described in paragraph (2), notify the Inspector General of the
Department of Health and Human Services of such determination.
(2) Determination.--A determination described in this
paragraph is a determination that--
(A) the aggregate amount paid under the Medicare
program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1395 et seq.) for an item or service or
items or services in a zip code and county or county
equivalent increased by more than 100 percent in a
single year; or
(B) the number of provider of services or suppliers
(as those terms are defined under section 1861 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395x)) who received
payment for items or services furnished under the
Medicare program increased in a zip code and county or
county equivalent by more than 100 percent in a single
year.
(b) Qualified Health Plans Under the American Health Benefit
Exchanges.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services
shall, not later than 60 days after making a determination
described in paragraph (2), notify the Inspector General of the
Department of Health and Human Services of such determination.
(2) Determination.--A determination described in this
paragraph is a determination that--
(A) the aggregate amount paid under all qualified
health plans offered through the American Health
Benefit Exchanges established under sections 1311 and
1321 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(42 U.S.C. 18031, 18041) for an item or service or
items or services in a zip code and county or county
equivalent increased by more than 100 percent in a
single year; or
(B) the number of providers of services who
received payment for items or services under such
qualified health plans increased in a zip code and
county or county equivalent by more than 100 percent in
a single year.
(3) Requirement to submit certain information.--Annually,
each American Health Benefit Exchange established under section
1311 or 1321 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act
(42 U.S.C. 18031, 18041) shall collect from each qualified
health plan offered through such an Exchange, and submit to the
Secretary of Health and Human Services, the information
necessary for the Secretary to make a determination described
in paragraph (2).
(c) Medicaid and CHIP.--
(1) Medicaid.--Section 1902 of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1396a) is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in paragraph (88), by striking ``;
and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(ii) in paragraph (89), by striking the
period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding after paragraph (89) the
following new paragraph:
``(90) provide that, not later than 60 days after making a
determination described in subsection (yy), the State agency
shall notify the Secretary and the Inspector General of the
Department of Health and Human Services of such
determination.''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following new
subsection:
``(yy) Determination of Certain Increased Payments or Providers in
a Single Year.--For purposes of subsection (a)(90), a determination
described in this subsection is a determination that--
``(1) the aggregate amount paid under the State plan under
this title, or under a waiver of such plan, for an item or
service or items or services in a zip code and county or county
equivalent increased by more than 100 percent in a single year;
or
``(2) the number of providers of items or services who
received payments for items or services furnished in a zip code
and county or county equivalent under such State plan or waiver
increased by more than 100 percent in a single year.''.
(2) CHIP.--Section 2107(e)(1) of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 1397gg(e)(1)) is amended by--
(A) redesignating subparagraphs (I) through (W) as
subparagraphs (J) through (X), respectively; and
(B) inserting after subparagraph (H) the following
subparagraph:
``(I) Subsections (a)(90) and (yy) of section 1902
(relating to determination of certain increased
payments or providers in a single year and notification
to the Secretary and the Inspector General of Health
and Human Services).''.
(d) Audit by the Inspector General of Health and Human Services.--
Not later than 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and
annually thereafter, the Inspector General of Health and Human Services
shall--
(1) identify, based on the results of any notifications
received under subsection (a) or (b), or under section
1902(a)(90) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(90))
or section 2107(e)(1)(I) of such Act (42 U.S.C.
1397gg(e)(1)(I)), any program or State plan or waiver (in the
case of Medicaid and the State Children's Health Insurance
Program) under which the aggregate amount paid for an item or
service or items or services in a zip code and county or county
equivalent or the number of providers of items or services or
suppliers, as applicable, who received payments for items or
services furnished in a zip code and county or county
equivalent increased by at least 400 percent during the
preceding 5-year period; and
(2) audit any such program, State plan, or waiver.
(e) Effective Date.--
(1) Medicare.--Subsection (a) shall take effect on the date
that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(2) Qualified health plans under the american health
benefit exchanges.--Subsection (b) shall take effect on the
date that is 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
(3) Medicaid and chip.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in subparagraph
(B), the amendments made by subsection (c) shall take
effect on the date that is 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act.
(B) Delay permitted if state legislation
required.--In the case of a State plan approved under
title XIX of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et
seq.) or title XXI of such Act (42 U.S.C. 1397aa et
seq.) which the Secretary of Health and Human Services
determines requires State legislation (other than
legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan
to meet the additional requirements imposed by the
amendments made by subsection (c), the State plan shall
not be regarded as failing to comply with the
requirements of such title XIX or XXI (as applicable)
solely on the basis of the failure of the plan to meet
such additional requirements before the first day of
the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of
the first regular session of the State legislature that
ends after the 1-year period beginning with the date of
enactment of this section. For purposes of the
preceding sentence, in the case of a State that has a
2-year legislative session, each year of the session is
deemed to be a separate regular session of the State
legislature.
SEC. 1104. RECOVERING IMPROPER PAYMENTS.
(a) Guidance.--The Director of the Office of Management and Budget
shall prescribe guidance to all agencies (as defined in section 551 of
title 5, United States Code) to ensure that all improper payments (as
defined in section 3351 of title 31, United States Code) are recovered.
(b) Annual Inspector General Report.--Section 3353(a)(1) of title
31, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in subparagraph (B)(iv), by striking the period at the
end and inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) include in each report submitted under
subparagraph (B) the amount of improper payments
recovered by the executive agency in the fiscal year
covered by the report.''.
TITLE II--ASSISTING SMALL BUSINESSES NOT FRAUDSTERS
SEC. 1201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Assisting Small Businesses Not
Fraudsters Act''.
SEC. 1202. ASSISTANCE PROHIBITED AFTER FRAUD CONVICTION.
(a) In General.--Section 16 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
645) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(h) Financial Assistance Prohibition.--
``(1) In general.--An associate of a small business concern
who is finally convicted of any crime involving or relating to
financial misconduct or a false statement with respect to a
covered loan or grant shall be ineligible to receive any
financial assistance from the Administrator, other than
financial assistance under section 7(b).
``(2) Business concerns.--A small business concern that has
as an associate an individual subject to paragraph (1) shall be
ineligible to receive any financial assistance from the
Administrator, other than financial assistance under section
7(b).
``(3) Definitions.--In this subsection:
``(A) Associate.--The term `associate' means, with
respect to a small business concern--
``(i) an officer, director, or owner of
more than 20 percent of the equity of, or a key
employee of, such small business concern;
``(ii) any entity not less than 20 percent
owned or controlled by one or more individuals
referred to in clause (i); and
``(iii) any other individual or entity in
control of or controlled by such small business
concern, except for a licensed small business
investment company (as defined in section
103(3) of the Small Business Investment Act of
1958 (15 U.S.C. 662(3))).
``(B) Covered loan or grant.--The term `covered
loan or grant' means--
``(i) a loan made under--
``(I) paragraph (36) or (37) of
section 7(a); or
``(II) section 7(b) in response to
the COVID-19 pandemic; or
``(ii) a grant made under--
``(I) section 5003 of the American
Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (15 U.S.C.
9009c); or
``(II) section 324 of the Economic
Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses,
Nonprofits, and Venues Act (15 U.S.C.
9009a).
``(C) Finally convicted.--The term `finally
convicted' means, with respect to a person, that such
person has been convicted of an offense and such
conviction--
``(i) has not been appealed and is no
longer appealable because the time for taking
an appeal has expired; or
``(ii) has been appealed and the appeals
process for such conviction is completed.''.
(b) Applicability.--Subsection (h) of section 16 of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 645), as added by subsection (a) of this
section, shall not apply to any contract or other agreement entered
into by the Government prior to the date of enactment of this Act.
TITLE III--WELFARE ABUSE AND LAUNDERING ZILLIONS
SEC. 1301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Welfare Abuse and Laundering
Zillions Act'' or the ``WALZ Act''.
SEC. 1302. REQUIRING INVESTIGATIONS OF CERTAIN PAYMENT INCREASES UNDER
STATE PROGRAMS FUNDED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES.
In the case that the total amount paid to providers of services and
suppliers under a State program that receives Federal financial
assistance administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services
during any 6-month period increases by 10 percent or more as compared
to that amount during the prior 6-month period, the Inspector General
of the Department of Health and Human Services shall open an
investigation into such program.
TITLE IV--RETURNING UNSPENT COVID FUNDS
SEC. 1401. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Returning Unspent COVID Funds
Act''.
SEC. 1402. RESCISSION OF UNUSED COVID FUNDING.
(a) In General.--Subject to subsection (b), effective on the date
of enactment of this Act, the unobligated balances of amounts made
available under the following are rescinded:
(1) The American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2;
135 Stat. 4).
(2) Division M or N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act,
2021 (Public Law 116-260; 134 Stat. 1182).
(3) The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care
Enhancement Act (Public Law 116-139; 134 Stat. 620).
(4) The CARES Act (Public Law 116-136; 134 Stat. 281).
(5) The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (Public Law
116-127; 134 Stat. 178).
(6) The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental
Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-123; 134 Stat. 146).
(b) National Security Waiver.--Amounts described in subsection (a)
that were made available for an account or program shall not be
rescinded if, not later than 60 days after the date of enactment of
this Act, the President submits to the Committee on the Budget of the
House of Representatives and the Committee on Finance of the Senate a
notice waiving the rescission under subsection (a) with respect to the
account or program.
(c) Use for Deficit Reduction.--Amounts rescinded under subsection
(a) shall remain in the general fund of the Treasury for the sole
purpose of deficit reduction.
TITLE V--BONUSES FOR COST-CUTTERS
SEC. 1501. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of
2026''.
SEC. 1502. COST SAVINGS ENHANCEMENTS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Definitions.--Section 4511 of title 5, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking
``Definition'' and inserting ``Definitions''; and
(B) in subsection (a)--
(i) by striking ``this subchapter, the
term'' and inserting the following: ``this
subchapter--
``(1) the term'';
(ii) by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(iii) by adding at the end the following:
``(2) the term `surplus salaries and expenses funds' means
amounts made available for the salaries and expenses account,
or equivalent account, of an agency--
``(A) that are identified by an employee of the
agency under section 4512(a) as unnecessary;
``(B) that the Inspector General of the agency or
other agency employee designated under section 4512(b)
determines are not required for the purpose for which
the amounts were made available;
``(C) that the Chief Financial Officer of the
agency determines are not required for the purpose for
which the amounts were made available; and
``(D) the rescission of which would not be
detrimental to the full execution of the purposes for
which the amounts were made available.''.
(2) Authority.--Section 4512 of title 5, United States
Code, is amended--
(A) in subsection (a)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by inserting ``or identification of surplus
salaries and expenses funds'' after
``mismanagement'';
(ii) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``or
identification'' after ``disclosure''; and
(iii) in the matter following paragraph
(2), by inserting ``or identification'' after
``disclosure''; and
(B) by adding at the end the following:
``(c)(1) The Inspector General of an agency or other agency
employee designated under subsection (b) shall refer to the Chief
Financial Officer of the agency any potential surplus salaries and
expenses funds identified by an employee that the Inspector General or
other agency employee determines meet the requirements under
subparagraphs (B) and (D) of section 4511(a)(2), along with any
recommendations of the Inspector General or other agency employee.
``(2)(A) If the Chief Financial Officer of the agency determines
that potential surplus salaries and expenses funds referred under
paragraph (1) meet the requirements under section 4511(a)(2), except as
provided in subsection (d), the head of the agency shall transfer the
amount of the surplus salaries and expenses funds from the applicable
appropriations account to the general fund of the Treasury.
``(B) Any amounts transferred under subparagraph (A) shall be
deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction, except that
in the case of a fiscal year for which there is no Federal budget
deficit, such amounts shall be used to reduce the Federal debt (in such
manner as the Secretary of the Treasury considers appropriate).
``(3) The Inspector General or other agency employee designated
under subsection (b) for each agency and the Chief Financial Officer
for each agency shall issue standards and definitions for purposes of
making determinations relating to potential surplus salaries and
expenses funds identified by an employee under this subsection.
``(d)(1) The head of an agency may retain not more than 10 percent
of amounts to be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury under
subsection (c)(2).
``(2) Amounts retained by the head of an agency under paragraph (1)
may be--
``(A) used for the purpose of paying a cash award under
subsection (a) to 1 or more employees who identified the
surplus salaries and expenses funds; and
``(B) to the extent amounts remain after paying cash awards
under subsection (a), transferred or reprogrammed for use by
the agency, in accordance with any limitation on such a
transfer or reprogramming under any other provision of law.
``(e)(1) Not later than October 1 of each fiscal year, the head of
each agency shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury a report
identifying the total savings achieved during the previous fiscal year
through disclosures of possible fraud, waste, or mismanagement and
identifications of surplus salaries and expenses funds by an employee.
``(2) Not later than September 30 of each fiscal year, the head of
each agency shall submit to the Secretary of the Treasury a report
that, for the previous fiscal year--
``(A) describes each disclosure of possible fraud, waste,
or mismanagement or identification of potentially surplus
salaries and expenses funds by an employee of the agency
determined by the agency to have merit; and
``(B) provides the number and amount of cash awards paid by
the agency under subsection (a).
``(3) The head of each agency shall include the information
described in paragraphs (1) and (2) in each budget request of the
agency submitted to the Office of Management and Budget as part of the
preparation of the budget of the President submitted to Congress under
section 1105(a) of title 31.
``(4) The Secretary of the Treasury shall submit to the Committee
on Appropriations of the Senate, the Committee on Appropriations of the
House of Representatives, and the Government Accountability Office an
annual report on Federal cost saving and awards based on the reports
submitted under paragraphs (1) and (2).
``(f) The Director of the Office of Personnel Management shall--
``(1) ensure that the cash award program of each agency
complies with this section; and
``(2) submit to Congress an annual certification indicating
whether the cash award program of each agency complies with
this section.
``(g) Not later than 3 years after the date of enactment of this
subsection, and every 3 years thereafter, the Comptroller General of
the United States shall submit to Congress a report on the operation of
the cost savings and awards program under this section, including any
recommendations for legislative changes.''.
(3) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of
sections for subchapter II of chapter 45 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to
section 4511 and inserting the following:
``4511. Definitions and general provisions.''.
(4) Sunset.--Effective 6 years after the date of enactment
of this Act--
(A) section 4511 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(i) in the section heading, by striking
``Definitions'' and inserting ``Definition'';
and
(ii) in subsection (a)--
(I) in paragraph (1), by striking
``; and'' and inserting a period;
(II) by striking ``this
subchapter--'' and all that follows
through ``the term `agency' means'' and
inserting ``this subchapter, the term
`agency' means''; and
(III) by striking paragraph (2);
(B) section 4512 of title 5, United States Code, is
amended--
(i) in subsection (a)--
(I) in the matter preceding
paragraph (1), by striking ``or
identification of surplus salaries and
expenses funds'';
(II) in paragraph (2), by striking
``or identification''; and
(III) in the matter following
paragraph (2), by striking ``or
identification''; and
(ii) by striking subsections (c) through
(g); and
(C) the table of sections for subchapter II of
chapter 45 of title 5, United States Code, is amended
by striking the item relating to section 4511 and
inserting the following:
``4511. Definition and general provisions.''.
(b) Officers Eligible for Cash Awards.--
(1) In general.--Section 4509 of title 5, United States
Code, is amended to read as follows:
``Sec. 4509. Prohibition of cash award to certain officers
``(a) Definition.--In this section, the term `agency'--
``(1) has the meaning given the term in section 551(1); and
``(2) includes an entity described in section 4501(1).
``(b) Prohibition.--An officer may not receive a cash award under
this subchapter if the officer--
``(1) serves in a position at level I of the Executive
Schedule;
``(2) is the head of an agency; or
``(3) is a commissioner, board member, or other voting
member of an independent establishment.''.
(2) Technical and conforming amendment.--The table of
sections for subchapter I of chapter 45 of title 5, United
States Code, is amended by striking the item relating to
section 4509 and inserting the following:
``4509. Prohibition of cash award to certain officers.''.
TITLE VI--IMPROPER PAYMENTS TRANSPARENCY
SEC. 1601. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Improper Payments Transparency
Act''.
SEC. 1602. INCLUDING IMPROPER PAYMENT INFORMATION IN PRESIDENT'S BUDGET
SUBMISSION.
Section 1105(a) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(39) information with respect to improper payment (as
such term is defined in section 3351) amounts and rates for
programs and activities at each executive agency required to
submit improper payment reports under subchapter IV of chapter
33, including--
``(A) a narrative description, including a detailed
explanation with respect to why any improper payment
amounts and rates occurred and trends of--
``(i) each program and activity with
improper payment amounts and rates that have
increased or decreased on average over the
previous 3 years; and
``(ii) each program and activity whose
improper payment amounts and rates did not
change over such years; and
``(B) any corrective actions, including any such
action in any corrective action plan under section
3352(d), with respect to such programs and activities
that are incomplete, and steps the executive agency
will take to address issues relating to improper
payment amounts and rates.''.
DIVISION B--PROTECTING TAXPAYERS
TITLE I--STRENGTHENING TANF PROGRAM INTEGRITY
SEC. 2101. STRENGTHENING PROGRAM INTEGRITY BY MEASURING IMPROPER
PAYMENTS.
(a) Applicability of Improper Payments Laws.--Section 404 of the
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 604) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(l) Applicability of Improper Payments Laws.--
``(1) In general.--The Improper Payments Information Act of
2002 and the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of
2010 shall apply to a State in respect of the State program
funded under this part and any other State program funded with
qualified State expenditures (as defined in section
409(a)(6)(B)(i)) in the same manner in which such Acts apply to
a Federal agency.
``(2) Regulations.--Within 2 years after the date of the
enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall prescribe
regulations governing how a State reviews and reports improper
payments under the State program funded under this part and any
other State program funded with qualified State expenditures
(as defined in section 409(a)(6)(B)(i)).''.
(b) Report to Congress.--Within 1 year after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall
submit to the Congress a written report that contains a plan to reduce
or eliminate improper payments made by States under part A of title IV
of the Social Security Act within 10 years.
SEC. 2102. PROHIBITION ON STATE DIVERSION OF FEDERAL FUNDS TO REPLACE
STATE SPENDING.
Section 408(a) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 608(a)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(13) Non-supplantation requirement.--Funds made available
to a State under this part shall be used to supplement, not
supplant, State general revenue spending on activities
described in section 404.''.
SEC. 2103. ALIGNING AND IMPROVING DATA REPORTING.
(a) Requirement That States Report Full-population Data.--Section
411(a)(1) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 611(a)(1)) is amended--
(1) by striking subparagraph (B);
(2) by striking ``(1) General reporting requirement.--'';
and
(3) by--
(A) redesignating--
(i) subparagraph (A) as paragraph (1);
(ii) clauses (i) through (xvii) of
subparagraph (A) as subparagraphs (A) through
(Q), respectively;
(iii) subclauses (I) through (V) of clause
(ii) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively;
(iv) subclauses (I) through (VII) of clause
(xi) as clauses (i) through (vii),
respectively; and
(v) subclauses (I) through (V) of clause
(xvi) as clauses (i) through (v), respectively;
and
(B) moving each such redesignated provision 2 ems
to the left.
(b) Report on Participation in Work Activities.--Section 411(a)(1)
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 611(a)(1)), as amended by
subsection (a)(3) of this section, is further amended by striking
subparagraphs (K) and (L) and inserting the following:
``(K) The work eligibility status of each
individual in the family, and--
``(i) in the case of each work-eligible
individual (as defined in the regulations
promulgated pursuant to section
407(i)(1)(A)(i)) in the family, the number of
hours (including zero hours) per month of
participation in work activities (as defined in
section 407(d)); and
``(ii) in the case of each individual in
the family who is not a work-eligible
individual (as so defined), the reason for that
status.
``(L) For each work-eligible individual (as so
defined) and each adult in the family who did not
participate in work activities (as so defined) during a
month, the reason for the lack of participation.''.
(c) Reporting of Information on Employment and Earnings Outcomes.--
Section 411(c) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 611(c)) is amended
to read as follows:
``(c) Reporting of Information on Employment and Earnings
Outcomes.--The Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor,
shall determine the information that is necessary to compute the
employment and earnings outcomes and the statistical adjustment model
for the employment and earnings outcomes required under section 407,
and each eligible State shall collect and report that information to
the Secretary.''.
SEC. 2104. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO DATA EXCHANGE STANDARDS TO IMPROVE
PROGRAM COORDINATION.
(a) In General.--Section 411(d) of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 611(d)) is amended to read as follows:
``(d) Data Exchange Standards for Improved Interoperability.--
``(1) Designation.--The Secretary shall, in consultation
with an interagency work group established in consultation with
the Office of Management and Budget and considering State
government perspectives, by rule, designate data exchange
standards to govern, under this part--
``(A) necessary categories of information that
State agencies operating programs under State plans
approved under this part are required under applicable
Federal law to electronically exchange with another
State agency; and
``(B) Federal reporting and data exchange required
under applicable Federal law.
``(2) Requirements.--The data exchange standards required
by paragraph (1) shall, to the extent practicable--
``(A) incorporate a widely accepted, non-
proprietary, searchable, computer-readable format, such
as the eXtensible Markup Language;
``(B) contain interoperable standards developed and
maintained by intergovernmental partnerships, such as
the National Information Exchange Model;
``(C) incorporate interoperable standards developed
and maintained by Federal entities with authority over
contracting and financial assistance;
``(D) be consistent with and implement applicable
accounting principles;
``(E) be implemented in a manner that is cost-
effective and improves program efficiency and
effectiveness; and
``(F) be capable of being continually upgraded as
necessary.
``(3) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection
shall be construed to require a change to existing data
exchange standards found to be effective and efficient.''.
(b) Effective Date.--Not later than the date that is 24 months
after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary of
Health and Human Services shall issue a proposed rule that--
(1) identifies federally required data exchanges, include
specification and timing of exchanges to be standardized, and
address the factors used in determining whether and when to
standardize data exchanges; and
(2) specifies State implementation options and describes
future milestones.
TITLE II--RESTRICTION ON UNITED STATES ASSISTANCE FOR FOREIGN AGENTS
SEC. 2201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``No Funding for Foreign Agents
Act''.
SEC. 2202. DEFINITIONS.
In this title:
(1) Agent of a covered foreign principal.--The term ``agent
of a covered foreign principal'' means--
(A) any person who acts as an agent,
representative, employee, or servant, or in any other
capacity at the order, request, or under the direction
or control, of a covered foreign principal or of a
person any of whose activities are directly or
indirectly supervised, directed, controlled, financed,
or subsidized in whole or in major part by a covered
foreign principal, whether or not that person
represents the interests of such foreign principal
before any agency or official of the Government of the
United States or engages in any official activity
within the United States;
(B) any duly accredited diplomatic or consular
officer of the government of a covered nation who is so
recognized by the Department of State;
(C) any official of the government of a covered
nation whose duties are known by the Department of
State;
(D) any member of the staff of, or any person
employed by, a duly accredited diplomatic or consular
officer of the government of a covered nation who is so
recognized by the Department of State;
(E) any agent of a covered foreign principal who
engages in lobbying activities and has registered or
would be required to register under section 4 of the
Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (2 U.S.C. 1603); and
(F) any person who has provided notice to the
Attorney General as an agent of a foreign government or
would be required to provide such notice under section
951 of title 18, United States Code.
(2) Controlled.--The term ``controlled'' has the meaning
given the term ``control'' in section 80.208 of title 31, Code
of Federal Regulations, provided that any officer, executive,
proprietor, director, partner, senior manager, or combination
of agents who together own a majority or a dominant minority of
the total outstanding voting interest, of an entity shall be
understood to control it for purposes of this Act.
(3) Covered foreign principal.--The term ``covered foreign
principal'' means--
(A) the government of a covered nation and any
political party in a covered nation;
(B) a person in a covered nation, unless such
person--
(i)(I) is an individual citizen of, and
domiciled within, the United States; and
(II) is not an agent of a covered foreign
principal; or
(ii)(I) is not an individual;
(II) is organized under, or created by, the
laws of the United States or of any State or
other place subject to the jurisdiction of the
United States;
(III) has its principal place of business
within the United States; and
(IV) is not controlled by an agent of a
covered foreign principal;
(C) a partnership, association, corporation,
organization, or other combination of persons organized
under the laws of, or having its principal place of
business in, a covered nation; or
(D) any organization named in section 1003 of the
Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987 (22 U.S.C. 5202).
(4) Covered nation.--The term ``covered nation'' means the
Democratic People's Republic of Korea, the People's Republic of
China, the Russian Federation, the Islamic Republic of Iran,
the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Myanmar
(formerly known as ``Burma''), Chad, Republic of the Congo,
Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger,
Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen.
(5) Direct financial assistance.--The term ``direct
financial assistance'' means financial assistance from the
Government of the United States that is received by an entity
selected by the Government or a pass-through entity, including
any contract, grant, loan, cooperative agreement, or other
agreement.
(6) Entity.--The term ``entity'' means any partnership,
association, corporation, organization, or other combination of
individuals.
(7) Indirect financial assistance.--The term ``indirect
financial assistance'' means financial assistance from the
Government of the United States that is received by a service
provider which is paid by means of a voucher, certificate, or
other means of Government-funded payment provided to a
beneficiary who is able to choose a service provider.
(8) Pass-through entity.--The term ``pass-through entity''
means any entity, including a nonprofit or nongovernmental
organization, acting under a contract, grant, loan, cooperative
agreement, or other agreement with the Government of the United
States or with a State or local government in the United States
that--
(A) accepts direct financial assistance as a
primary recipient or grantee; and
(B) distributes such assistance to other
organizations that provide services.
(9) Person.--The term ``person'' means any individual,
partnership, association, corporation, organization, or other
combination of individuals.
SEC. 2203. RESTRICTION ON UNITED STATES FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.
Any entity that is controlled by an agent of a covered foreign
principal is ineligible to receive direct financial assistance or
indirect financial assistance.
SEC. 2204. RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.
Nothing in this title may be construed to terminate--
(1) United States financial assistance to entities that are
not controlled by an agent of a covered foreign principal; or
(2) any foreign assistance (as defined in section 634(b)(1)
of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1962 (22 U.S.C. 2394(b)(1))).
TITLE III--OPPOSING INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT FOR THE TALIBAN
SEC. 2301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``No Tax Dollars for Terrorists
Act''.
SEC. 2302. STRATEGY TO OPPOSE FOREIGN ASSISTANCE BY FOREIGN COUNTRIES
AND NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO THE TALIBAN.
(a) Statement of Policy.--It is the policy of the United States--
(1) to oppose the provision of foreign assistance by
foreign countries and nongovernmental organizations to the
Taliban, particularly those countries and organizations that
receive United States-provided foreign assistance; and
(2) to review United States-provided foreign assistance to
such foreign countries and nongovernmental organizations that
have provided foreign assistance to the Taliban.
(b) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to
the appropriate congressional committees that identifies, to the extent
possible--
(1) foreign countries and nongovernmental organizations
that have provided foreign assistance to the Taliban,
including--
(A) the amount of United States-provided foreign
assistance each country or organization receives, if
any;
(B) the amount of foreign assistance each country
or organization has provided to the Taliban; and
(C) a description of how the Taliban has utilized
such foreign assistance; and
(2) efforts the United States has taken since August 2021
to oppose foreign countries and nongovernmental organizations
from providing foreign assistance to the Taliban, particularly
those foreign countries and organizations that receive United
States-provided foreign assistance.
(c) Strategy and Reports.--
(1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall develop
and implement a strategy to discourage foreign countries and
nongovernmental organizations from providing foreign assistance
to the Taliban. The strategy shall include efforts to support
Afghan women and girls who are suffering under Taliban edicts,
in a way that does not support the Taliban.
(2) Reports.--
(A) Initial report.--Not later than the date on
which the strategy required under paragraph (1) is
completed, the Secretary of State shall submit a report
to the appropriate congressional committees detailing
the strategy and a plan for its implementation.
(B) Subsequent reports.--Not later than 180 days
after the date on which the strategy required under
paragraph (1) is completed, and every 180 days
thereafter for the following 5 years, the Secretary of
State shall submit a report to the appropriate
congressional committees describing the implementation
of the strategy, including the impact of the strategy
in discouraging foreign countries and nongovernmental
organizations from providing financial or material
support to the Taliban.
(C) Additional report.--
(i) In general.--Not later than 30 days
after the date of the enactment of this Act,
the Secretary of State shall submit a report to
the appropriate congressional committees
regarding the decision to terminate the bounty
on Sirajuddin Haqqani and other key members of
the Haqqani Network under the Rewards for
Justice program.
(ii) Matters to be included.--The report
required under clause (i) shall include the
following:
(I) The status of the bounty on
Sirajuddin Haqqani, Abdul Aziz Haqqani,
and Yahya Haqqani under the Rewards for
Justice program and the rationale for
any changes made since September 1,
2021.
(II) An identification of members
of the Haqqani Network who are
Specially Designated Global Terrorists
and the status of the designation of
the Haqqani Network as a foreign
terrorist organization.
(III) A description of any United
States Government engagements with
Sirajuddin Haqqani, Abdul Aziz Haqqani,
Yahya Haqqani, or the Haqqani Network
since September 1, 2021.
(IV) Whether new information has
emerged relating to the involvement of
the Haqqani Network in terrorist
attacks targeting the United States
Military or United States civilians.
(iii) Form.--The report required under
clause (i) shall be submitted in unclassified
form, but may include a classified annex.
(d) Suspension of Foreign Assistance.--The Secretary of State shall
immediately suspend all foreign assistance being sent to any country or
nongovernmental organization that has provided assistance to the
Taliban, as determined by the Secretary.
SEC. 2303. REPORT ON DIRECT CASH ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS IN AFGHANISTAN.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State shall submit a report to
the appropriate congressional committees regarding United States
Government-funded direct cash assistance programs in Afghanistan during
the period beginning on August 1, 2021, and ending on the date that is
30 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(b) Matters to Be Included.--The report required under subsection
(a) shall, with respect to such direct cash assistance programs,
include--
(1) a general description of the types of implementing
partners and recipients;
(2) a description of method of payments;
(3) a description of how and where currency exchanges
occur;
(4) a description of how hawalas are used and the oversight
mechanism in place regarding use of hawalas to transfer funds;
(5) concealment of all personally identifiable information
of individuals or groups that received United States
Government-funded direct cash assistance; and
(6) a description of how oversight is conducted, including
information on how the Department of State prevents the Taliban
from accessing cash assistance under such programs.
(c) Defined Term.--In this section, the term ``hawala''' means a
system of transferring money through a network of money lending
brokers.
SEC. 2304. REPORT ON STATUS OF AFGHAN FUND.
(a) In General.--Not later than 90 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, and every 180 days thereafter for the following
5 years, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of
the Treasury, shall submit a report to the appropriate congressional
committees regarding the status of the Afghan Fund.
(b) Matters to Be Included.--The report required under subsection
(a) shall, to the extent possible, include--
(1) a list of Taliban members working at Da Afghanistan
Bank or serving on the Bank's board; and
(2) a description of--
(A) the Taliban's influence over Da Afghanistan
Bank;
(B) the Afghan Fund's board of trustees, including
how the Fund's trustees were vetted and selected, and
what United States agencies were involved in the
vetting and selection process;
(C) the conditions necessary for funds in the
Afghan Fund to be released to Da Afghanistan Bank;
(D) how the Afghan Fund's board of trustees will
decide on the type and appropriateness of the Fund's
activities, including what kind of information will
inform the board's decisions and how the board will
collect and verify this information; and
(E) a description of what controls have been put
into place to ensure funds are not diverted to or
misused by the Taliban or other actors when the Fund
begins making disbursements.
(c) Rescission of Funding for Afghan Reconstruction Activities for
Deficit Reduction Purposes.--
(1) Rescission.--There is hereby rescinded all of the
unobligated balances from the amounts appropriated or otherwise
made available for reconstruction activities in Afghanistan
through any of the following funds, programs, or accounts:
(A) The Afghanistan Security Forces Fund (ASFF).
(B) The Economic Support Fund (ESF).
(C) International Narcotics Control and Law
Enforcement (INCLE).
(D) The Commanders' Emergency Response Program
(CERP).
(E) Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities
(DICDA).
(F) Migration and Refugee Assistance (MRA).
(G) International Disaster Assistance (IDA).
(H) Non-Proliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining, and
Related (NADR).
(I) Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP)
(J) Afghanistan Infrastructure Fund (AIF)
(K) Development Assistance (DA)
(L) Task Force for Business and Stability
Operations (TFBSO)
(M) Global Health Programs (GHP)
(N) Contributions to International Organizations
(CIO)
(O) U.S. Agency for Global Media (USAGM)
(P) U.S. International Development Finance
Corporation (DFC)
(Q) Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
(R) Educational and Cultural Exchange Programs
(ECE)
(S) USAID-Other (Other)
(T) Commodity Credit Corp (CCC)
(U) Human Rights and Democracy Fund (HRDF)
(2) Appropriation.--The amount rescinded under paragraph
(1) shall be transferred to the general fund of the Treasury
and be applied to deficit reduction.
SEC. 2305. SENSE OF CONGRESS OPPOSING ACTIVITIES THAT SUPPORT THE
TALIBAN OR NORMALIZE DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH THE
TALIBAN.
It is the sense of Congress that the United States should not
normalize diplomatic relations with the Taliban unless, at a minimum,
the Taliban--
(1) coordinates with the United States to expel al-Qaeda
and other terrorist groups located in Afghanistan;
(2) ceases the taking of United States citizens as hostages
and the wrongful detention or persecution of Afghans who--
(A) worked for, or on behalf of, the United States;
(B) served in the Government or security forces of
the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan; or
(C) advocated for good governance or
internationally recognized human rights, including the
rights of women, girls, and minority groups in
Afghanistan;
(3) repeals all edicts and policies prohibiting, and takes
demonstrable and consistent action to support, the education,
employment, free movement, and free expression of women and
girls in Afghanistan; and
(4) repeals all edicts and policies curtailing, and takes
demonstrable and consistent action to support and respect, the
rights of ethnic, religious, and other minority groups within
Afghanistan, including Hazara communities.
SEC. 2306. DEFINED TERM.
In this title, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'''
means--
(1) the Committee on Foreign Relations of the Senate;
(2) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
(3) the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of
Representatives; and
(4) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives.
DIVISION C--CATCHING FRAUDSTERS
TITLE I--PREVENTING DEEP FAKE SCAMS
SEC. 3101. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act''.
SEC. 3102. FINDINGS.
The Congress finds the following:
(1) Artificial intelligence is being used in new and
innovative ways by the financial services sector.
(2) Artificial intelligence may provide benefits to banks,
credit unions, and banking consumers.
(3) Artificial intelligence poses unique threats to the
safety and security of customer accounts.
(4) Voice banking is offered by many banks for security and
convenience reasons.
(5) The popularity of social media has made video and audio
of potential targets easier to obtain for bad actors. These
materials can be exploited to replicate the voices and
appearances of other people in pursuit of data theft, identity
theft, or fraud.
(6) Bad actors could utilize deep fakes, including voice
and audio manipulation, to compromise and access the financial
accounts of a consumer.
SEC. 3103. REPORT.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation
with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Deposit Insurance
Corporation, the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection, the Financial
Crimes Enforcement Network of the Department of the Treasury, the
National Credit Union Administration, and private-sector stakeholders,
shall submit to Congress a report containing the contents described in
subsection (c).
(b) Consultation.--
(1) Request for information.--Not later than 90 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the
Treasury shall solicit public feedback on the report required
under subsection (a).
(2) Industry and expert stakeholders.--In developing the
report required under subsection (a), the Secretary of the
Treasury shall seek out and consult with industry and expert
stakeholders, including--
(A) depository institutions of varying asset sizes;
(B) credit unions of varying asset sizes;
(C) third-party vendors who use artificial
intelligence when providing services to depository
institutions and credit unions; and
(D) artificial intelligence experts.
(c) Contents.--The contents of the report described in this
subsection are as follows:
(1) A description of how banks and credit unions
proactively protect themselves and consumers from fraud
utilizing artificial intelligence.
(2) A list of standard definitions for the different
manners in which artificial intelligence is used, including
terms like ``generative AI'', ``machine learning'', ``natural
language processing'', ``algorithmic AI'', and ``deep fakes''.
(3) A description of potential risks that could result from
the use of artificial intelligence by bad actors to steal data
and identities of consumers and commit fraud.
(4) A list of best practices for financial institutions to
protect their customers from attempts to steal data and
identities of consumers or commit fraud.
(5) Legislative and regulatory recommendations for the
regulation of artificial intelligence and to protect consumers
from data theft, identity theft, and fraud.
TITLE II--SBA FRAUD ENFORCEMENT EXTENSION ACT
SEC. 3201. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension
Act''.
SEC. 3202. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR CERTAIN PROGRAMS.
(a) Shuttered Venue Operators.--Section 324 of division N of the
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 (15 U.S.C. 9009a) is amended by
adding at the end the following:
``(g) Statute of Limitations.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, any criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action for a
violation of, or conspiracy to violate, section 371, 641, 1001, 1028A,
1029, 1341, 1343, 1349, 1956, or 1957 of title 18, United States Code,
or section 3729 or 3802 of title 31, United States Code, with respect
to any grant for shuttered venue operators under this section shall be
filed not later than 10 years after the date of the violation or
conspiracy.''.
(b) Restaurant Revitalization.--Section 5003 of the American Rescue
Plan Act of 2021 (15 U.S.C. 9009c) is amended by adding at the end the
following:
``(d) Statute of Limitations.--Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, any criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action for a
violation of, or conspiracy to violate, section 371, 641, 1001, 1028A,
1029, 1341, 1343, 1349, 1956, or 1957 of title 18, United States Code,
or section 3729 or 3802 of title 31, United States Code, with respect
to any restaurant revitalization grant under this section shall be
filed not later than 10 years after the date of the violation or
conspiracy.''.
TITLE III--RECOVER FRAUDULENT COVID FUNDS
SEC. 3301. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds
Act''.
SEC. 3302. STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR VIOLATIONS RELATING TO PANDEMIC-
ERA PROGRAMS.
(a) Definitions.--In this section--
(1) the term ``pandemic-era law'' means--
(A) the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response
Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020 (Public Law 116-
123; 134 Stat. 146);
(B) the Families First Coronavirus Response Act
(Public Law 116-127; 134 Stat. 177);
(C) the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136; 134 Stat.
281);
(D) the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care
Enhancement Act (Public Law 116-139; 134 Stat. 620);
(E) divisions M and N of the Consolidated
Appropriations Act, 2021 (Public Law 116-260; 134 Stat.
1182);
(F) the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public
Law 117-2; 135 Stat. 4); or
(G) an amendment made by a law described in
subparagraphs (A) through (F); and
(2) the term ``pandemic-era program violation'' means an
offense or other violation of law involving conduct that
relates to or involves--
(A) a program, project, or activity that was
authorized or established by, or was carried out under,
a pandemic-era law; or
(B) funding provided under a pandemic-era law.
(b) Extension of Statute of Limitations.--
(1) Crimes.--No person shall be prosecuted, tried, or
punished for any pandemic-era program violation that is a
criminal offense unless the indictment is found or the
information is instituted--
(A) notwithstanding section 3282(a) of title 18,
United States Code, within 10 years after such offense
shall have been committed; or
(B) within such longer period of years after such
offense shall have been committed as is otherwise
provided by law.
(2) Tariff act of 1930.--Notwithstanding section 621 of the
Tariff Act of 1930 (19 U.S.C. 1621), no civil action, suit, or
proceeding for the forfeiture of property accruing under the
customs laws of the United States related to a pandemic-era
program violation shall be instituted unless such civil action,
suit, or proceeding is commenced within 10 years after the time
when the alleged pandemic-era program violation was discovered,
or within 3 years after the time when the involvement of the
property in the alleged pandemic-era program violation was
discovered, whichever was later, except that the time of the
absence from the United States of the person whose property is
subject to forfeiture, or of any concealment or absence of the
property, shall not be reckoned within the 10-year period of
limitation.
(3) False claims.--
(A) In general.--Notwithstanding section 3731(b)(1)
of title 31, United States Code, a civil action under
section 3730 of such title alleging a violation of
section 3729 of such title that is a pandemic-era
program violation may not be brought more than 10 years
after the date on which the violation was committed.
(B) Notice.--Notwithstanding section 3808 of title
31, United States Code, a notice to the person alleged
to be liable with respect to a claim or statement that
involves a pandemic-era violation shall be mailed or
delivered in accordance with section 3803(d)(1) of such
title not later than 10 years after the date on which
the violation of section 3802 of such title is
committed.
(c) Exclusion of Offenses With a Lapsed Period of Limitation.--
Subsection (b)(1)(A) shall not apply to a pandemic-era program
violation that is a criminal offense for which, but for the extension
under such subsection, the date by which an indictment was required to
be found or an information was required to be instituted occurred
before the date of enactment of this Act.
TITLE IV--FRAUD ALERT SYSTEMS
SEC. 3401. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Fraud Alert Systems Act''.
SEC. 3402. MANDATORY REPORTING AND VERIFICATION OF PAYMENT INFORMATION.
(a) In General.--Subchapter II of chapter 33 of title 31, United
States Code is amended by adding at the end the following:
``Sec. 3337. Mandatory reporting and verification of payment
information
``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Agency.--The term `agency' means--
``(A) an executive agency;
``(B) an independent regulatory agency, as defined
in section 3502 of title 44; or
``(C) an entity that--
``(i)(I) is the Congress;
``(II) is a court of the United States;
``(III) is a government of a territory or
possession of the United States; or
``(IV) is the District of Columbia; and
``(ii) uses a Treasury disbursement system.
``(2) Secretary.--The term `Secretary' means the Secretary
of the Treasury.
``(3) Treasury disbursement system.--The term `Treasury
disbursement system' means any system operated by the Secretary
for the purpose of disbursing public money.
``(b) Mandatory Reporting of Payment Information.--For each payment
authorized by the head of an agency that is submitted to a Treasury
disbursement system for disbursement by the Secretary, the head of the
agency shall provide to the Secretary, in such format as the Secretary
requires, for inclusion in the Treasury disbursement system--
``(1) a brief description of the purpose for which the
payment is being made;
``(2) the appropriations account (Treasury Account Symbol,
or any successor thereto) from which the payment is to be
drawn; and
``(3) the type of activity being reported (Business Event
Type Code, or any successor thereto).
``(c) Periodic Updates.--Not less frequently than once each fiscal
year--
``(1) for each payment--
``(A) the certifying official shall evaluate
whether the information collected under subsection (b)
is accurate and complete; and
``(B) the head of each certifying agency shall
provide written confirmation to the disbursing official
attesting to the accuracy of such information; and
``(2) the disbursing official shall consult with the
certifying official to improve the management of the Treasury
disbursement system.
``(d) Public Reporting.--Not later than 30 days after the date on
which each payment that is subject to this subchapter is certified, the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall direct the
Secretary, or, if the payment is disbursed by an accountable official
who is not in a position in the Department of the Treasury, the head of
the agency with jurisdiction over the accountable official, to make
available on the public website operated under the Federal Funding
Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006 (31 U.S.C. 6101 note) the
data required to be provided under subsection (b) with respect to the
payment.''.
(b) Implementation.--The Secretary of the Treasury may issue
regulations or guidance to implement the amendments made by this title.
(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section, or an amendment
made by this section, shall be construed to impose a legal liability on
a disbursing official resulting from any action taken pursuant to this
section, or an amendment made by this section.
(d) Conforming Amendment.--The table of sections for chapter 33 of
title 31, United States Code is amended by inserting after the item
relating to section 3336 the following:
``3337. Mandatory reporting and verification of payment information.''.
SEC. 3403. DATA ACCESS FOR PURPOSES OF PROGRAM INTEGRITY.
(a) Access to the National Directory of New Hires.--Section 453(j)
of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 653(j)) is amended by adding at
the end the following:
``(12) Information to assist in the prevention of improper
payments.--
``(A) In general.--The Secretary of the Treasury
shall have access to the information in the National
Directory of New Hires for the purpose of identifying,
preventing, and recovering improper payments.
``(B) Redisclosure.--For the purpose of
identifying, preventing, and recovering improper
payments, the Secretary of the Treasury may redisclose
information in the National Directory of New Hires to--
``(i) agents and contractors of the
Secretary of the Treasury;
``(ii) Federal and non-Federal agencies
authorized to receive information in the
National Directory of New Hires directly from
the Secretary; and
``(iii) such additional persons and
entities as agreed to by the Secretary and the
Secretary of the Treasury.''.
(b) Access to Information Covered by FCRA.--
(1) Definitions.--Section 603(k)(1) of the Fair Credit
Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681a(k)(1)) is amended--
(A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and'' at the
end;
(B) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period at
the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(C) by adding at the end the following:
``(C) does not include--
``(i) any change to a Federal disbursement,
including the pre-certification termination of
such disbursement, that is--
``(I) based on a consumer report;
and
``(II) made to improve the accuracy
of the disbursement; or
``(ii) any action taken by an authorized
user of the Working System of the Do Not Pay
Initiative authorized by section 3354 of title
31, United States Code, in connection with the
disbursement of a payment, as defined in
section 3351 of that title, that is based on a
consumer report.''.
(2) Permissible uses of consumer reports.--Section 604(a)
of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (15 U.S.C. 1681b(a)) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(7) To the Secretary of the Treasury for purposes of
assisting Federal and non-Federal entities identify, prevent,
and recover improper payments, including redisclosing
information in a consumer report to--
``(A) agents and contractors of the Department of
the Treasury; and
``(B) Federal and non-Federal entities authorized
to receive such information directly from the
Secretary.''.
(c) Privacy-Preserving Validation of Select Tax Information.--
(1) In general.--Section 6103(i) of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 is amended by adding at the end the following new
paragraph:
``(9) Do not pay working system.--
``(A) In general.--In response to an inquiry by the
Secretary with respect to a specific individual, the
Commissioner shall provide the Secretary with any
return information described in subparagraph (B) with
respect to such individual for the applicable period,
in a manner which preserves the confidentiality of such
information, for the purposes of enhancing the Do Not
Pay working system described in section 3354(c) of
title 31, United States Code, which may include
disclosing such information--
``(i) to agents and contractors of the
Department of Treasury who are authorized to
access the Do Not Pay working system, and
``(ii) other Federal agencies and State
agencies that manage Federally-funded State-
administered programs (including agents and
contractors of such agencies) who are
authorized to access the Do Not Pay working
system,
for purposes of using the Do Not Pay working system to
identify, prevent, and recover improper payments.
``(B) Return information.--The return information
described in this subparagraph is the following:
``(i) Taxpayer identification number.
``(ii) Filing status.
``(iii) Adjusted gross income.
``(iv) Income or loss reported on Schedule
C of Form 1040 (or successor forms).
``(v) Filing year.
``(vi) Any reported identity theft related
to the taxpayer identification number.
``(vii) Whether a tax return was not filed
for any taxable year.
``(C) Applicable period.--For purposes of this
paragraph, the term `applicable period' means, with
respect to any individual, the period--
``(i) consisting of the number of taxable
years specified by the Secretary in the inquiry
made under subparagraph (A) (but not less than
3 taxable years), and
``(ii) ending with the most recently
completed taxable year for which the
information described in such subparagraph is
available.''.
(2) Effective date.--The amendment made by this subsection
shall apply to disclosures made after the date of enactment of
this Act.
(d) Access to Social Security Information.--Title II of the Social
Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end
the following new section:
``SEC. 235. DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION FOR DO NOT PAY SYSTEM.
``(a) In General.--For the purposes described in subsection (b),
the Commissioner of Social Security shall, upon request of the
Secretary of the Treasury, enter into an agreement with the Department
of the Treasury to regularly provide personally identifiable
information held by the Social Security Administration, which shall,
with respect to any individual, include, at a minimum, the name, date
of birth, and Social Security number of such individual.
``(b) Purposes.--Information provided under subsection (a) shall be
used solely for purposes of enhancing the Do Not Pay working system
described in section 3354(c) of title 31, United States Code, with
respect to identifying, preventing, and recovering improper payments,
including fraudulent payments.''.
TITLE V--STOPPING TRANSFERS OF PUBLIC FUNDS ABROAD
SEC. 3501. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Stopping Transfers of Public Funds
Abroad Act''.
SEC. 3502. PROHIBITING INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FROM
CONDUCTING REMITTANCE TRANSFERS.
(a) In General.--
(1) Enforcement.--The head of any Federal agency
responsible for the administration of any public assistance
program shall require any individual applying or reapplying for
any payment or other benefit under such program to provide a
written declaration, under penalty of perjury pursuant to
section 1746 of title 28, United States Code, that such
individual will not transfer any funds through a remittance
transfer during any period in which such individual receives
any payment or other benefit under such program.
(2) Penalty.--Any individual who has provided a written
declaration described in paragraph (1) and subsequently
transferred funds through a remittance transfer during any
period in which such individual received any payment or other
benefit under the public assistance program to which such
declaration applies shall be subject to a fine of $100,000.
(b) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Public assistance program.--The term ``public
assistance program'' means any program described in paragraph
(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), or (7) of section 416.1142(a) of title
20, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect of the date of
enactment of this Act).
(2) Remittance transfer.--The term ``remittance transfer''
has the same meaning given such term under section 920(g) of
the Electronic Fund Transfer Act (15 U.S.C. 1693o-1(g)).
(c) Effective Date.--This section shall apply to any payment or
other benefit under a public assistance program which is provided after
the date which is 30 days after the date of enactment of this Act.
TITLE VI--VETERANS SCAM AND FRAUD EVASION ACT OF 2026
SEC. 3601. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Veterans Scam And Fraud Evasion
Act of 2026'' or the ``VSAFE Act of 2026''.
SEC. 3602. VETERANS SCAM AND FRAUD EVASION OFFICER.
(a) In General.--Chapter 3 of title 38, United States Code, is
amended by adding at the end the following new section:
``Sec. 326. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer
``(a) Establishment.--There is in the Veterans Experience Office of
the Department a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer, who shall--
``(1) be responsible for consumer fraud and scam
prevention, reporting, and incident response plans at the
Department; and
``(2) serve as a central point of contact to direct
employees, veterans, and beneficiaries to resources to prevent
and mitigate consumer fraud and scams.
``(b) Responsibilities.--The Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion
Officer shall carry out the following responsibilities:
``(1) Providing comprehensive communication from the
Secretary to employees of the Department and veterans, their
families, caregivers, and survivors during strategic and time-
sensitive fraud and scam incidents.
``(2) Providing consistent guidance developed with the
Inspector General of the Department for employees as well as
veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors on how to
identify, report, and avoid fraud and scam attempts.
``(3) Promoting the VSAFE Fraud Hotline and VSAFE.gov
website of the Department (and any successor resources) and
identifying other identity theft resources available to
veterans, their families, caregivers, and survivors, including
with respect to actions made by the Secretary to protect the
identities of veterans and their beneficiaries.
``(4) Developing methods to monitor consumer fraud and scam
metrics within the Department to facilitate proactive and
robust trend identification and report internally and annually
to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and the
Committee on Veterans' Affairs of the House of Representatives.
``(5) Coordinating with the Inspector General of the
Department to provide training for Department employees on
fielding fraud and scam inquiries and reports.
``(6) Working with the Inspector General of the
Department--
``(A) to coordinate with other relevant agencies
and departments; and
``(B) to identify the proper avenues for veterans
to report fraud and scam attempts and receive
assistance.
``(7) Consulting with veterans service organizations and
State, local, and Tribal governments, as necessary, to improve
understanding of potential fraud and scam risks to veterans,
their families, caregivers, and survivors.
``(c) Full-time Employees.--Nothing in this section authorizes an
increase in the number of full-time employees otherwise authorized for
the Department.
``(d) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be
construed to limit, diminish, or otherwise affect the authority of the
Office of Inspector General of the Department to prevent, detect, and
prosecute fraud, waste, and abuse in Department programs and
operations. The responsibilities of the Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion
Officer shall be exercised in coordination and not supersede or
interfere with the authorities provided to the Inspector General in
this title or in chapter 4 of title 5 (commonly referred to as the
Inspector General Act of 1978).
``(e) Sunset.--The requirements and authorities of this section
shall terminate on September 30, 2030.
``(f) Definition of Consumer Fraud.--In this section, the term
`consumer fraud' means deceptive, unfair, or illegal practices that
deceive veterans into giving money, personal information, or property
primarily as it relates to their personal or family use that does not
have a nexus to Department programs and operations.''.
(b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of sections at the beginning of
such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item:
``326. Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer.''.
TITLE VII--EXPANDING WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS FOR CONTRACTORS ACT OF
2026
SEC. 3701. SHORT TITLE.
This title may be cited as the ``Expanding Whistleblower
Protections for Contractors Act of 2026''.
SEC. 3702. DEFENSE CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEES: PROTECTION FROM REPRISAL FOR
DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION.
Section 4701 of title 10, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A)--
(I) by striking ``An employee'' and
all that follows through ``services
contractor'' and inserting ``A
protected individual''; and
(II) by striking ``disclosing'' and
all that follows through ``evidence
of''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraphs (A), (B),
and (C) and inserting the following
subparagraphs:
``(A) Refusing to obey an order that would require the
protected individual to violate a law, rule, or regulation
related to any contract, subcontract, grant, or subgrant.
``(B) Disclosing to a person or body described in paragraph
(2) information that the protected individual reasonably
believes is evidence of the following:
``(i) Gross mismanagement of any Department of
Defense contract or grant, any gross waste of
Department funds, any abuse of authority relating to
any Department contract, subcontract, grant, or
subgrant, or any violation of law, rule, or regulation
related to any Department contract or subcontract
(including the competition for or negotiation of a
contract or subcontract) or grant or subgrant.
``(ii) Gross mismanagement of any National
Aeronautics and Space Administration contract or grant,
any gross waste of Administration funds, any abuse of
authority relating to an Administration contract,
subcontract, grant, or subgrant, or any violation of
law, rule, or regulation related to any Administration
contract or subcontract (including the competition for
or negotiation of a contract or subcontract) or grant
or subgrant.
``(iii) A substantial and specific danger to public
health or safety.''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``an
employee'' and inserting ``a protected
individual''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following subparagraph:
``(B) it shall not be within the authority of an executive
branch official to request that a contractor, subcontractor,
grantee, or subgrantee engage in a reprisal prohibited by
paragraph (1).'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the
following subparagraph:
``(E) Propose appropriate disciplinary action against any
executive branch official for any request made of a contractor,
subcontractor, grantee, or subgrantee that subjected the
complainant to a reprisal prohibited by subsection (a).''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the
following paragraph:
``(7) The rights, forum, and remedies provided for in this section
may not be waived by any public or private agreement, policy, form, or
condition of employment, including by any predispute arbitration
agreement.'';
(3) by striking subsection (e) and redesignating
subsections (f) and (g) as subsections (e) and (f),
respectively;
(4) in subsection (e), as so redesignated--
(A) by striking ``an employee'' and inserting ``a
protected individual''; and
(B) by striking ``the employee'' and inserting
``the protected individual''; and
(5) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by adding at the
end the following new paragraph:
``(8) The term `protected individual' means--
``(A) a contractor, subcontractor, grantee, or
subgrantee of the Department of Defense or the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration, including--
``(i) the government of each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, an Indian
tribe or authorized tribal organization, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other
territory or possession of the United States;
``(ii) the government of any political
subdivision of, agency of, or instrumentality
of, a government listed in clause (i); and
``(iii) an element of the intelligence
community (as defined in section 3 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003))
within the Department of Defense;
``(B) an employee of a contractor, subcontractor,
grantee, or subgrantee of the Department of Defense or
the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or a
former employee of such contractor, subcontractor,
grantee, or subgrantee whose protected disclosure or
engagement in any activity protected against reprisal
under this section occurred prior to termination,
including an employee of--
``(i) the government of each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, an Indian
tribe or authorized tribal organization, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other
territory or possession of the United States;
``(ii) the government of any political
subdivision of, agency of, or instrumentality
of, a government listed in clause (i); and
``(iii) an element of the intelligence
community (as defined in section 3 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003))
within the Department of Defense; or
``(C) a person performing personal services for the
Department of Defense or the National Aeronautics and
Space Administration pursuant to a contractual
agreement for the performance of personal services,
including a personal services contract or personal
services agreement, and who engages in an activity for
which any reprisal is prohibited under subsection (a),
including a person performing personal services
pursuant such a contractual agreement for--
``(i) the government of each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, an Indian
tribe or authorized tribal organization, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other
territory or possession of the United States;
``(ii) the government of any political
subdivision of, agency of, or instrumentality
of, a government listed in clause (i); and
``(iii) an element of the intelligence
community (as defined in section 3 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003))
within the Department of Defense.''.
SEC. 3703. ENHANCEMENT OF NON-DEFENSE CONTRACTOR PROTECTION FROM
REPRISAL FOR DISCLOSURE OF CERTAIN INFORMATION.
Section 4712 of title 41, United States Code, is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the
following paragraph:
``(1) In general.--A protected individual may not be
discharged, demoted, or otherwise discriminated against as a
reprisal for the following:
``(A) Refusing to obey an order that would require
the protected individual to violate a law, rule, or
regulation related to any contract, subcontract, grant,
or subgrant.
``(B) Disclosing to a person or body described in
paragraph (2) information that the protected individual
reasonably believes is evidence of the following:
``(i) Gross mismanagement of any Federal
contract or grant, any gross waste of Federal
funds, any abuse of authority relating to any
Federal contract, subcontract, grant, or
subgrant, or any violation of law, rule, or
regulation related to any Federal contract or
subcontract (including the competition for or
negotiation of a contract or subcontract) or
grant or subgrant.
``(ii) A substantial and specific danger to
public health or safety.''; and
(B) in paragraph (3)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``an
employee'' and inserting ``a protected
individual''; and
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B) and
inserting the following subparagraph:
``(B) it shall not be within the authority of an
executive branch official to request that a contractor,
subcontractor, grantee, or subgrantee engage in a
reprisal prohibited by paragraph (1).'';
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by adding at the end the
following new subparagraph:
``(E) Propose appropriate disciplinary action
against any executive branch official for any request
made of a contractor, subcontractor, grantee, or
subgrantee that subjected the complainant to a reprisal
prohibited by subsection (a).''; and
(B) by striking paragraph (7) and inserting the
following paragraph:
``(7) Rights, forum, and remedies not waivable.--The
rights, forum, and remedies provided for in this section may
not be waived by any public or private agreement, policy, form,
or condition of employment, including by any predispute
arbitration agreement.'';
(3) in subsection (e)--
(A) by striking ``an employee'' and inserting ``a
protected individual''; and
(B) by striking ``the employee'' and inserting
``the protected individual'';
(4) by striking subsection (f) and redesignating
subsections (g) and (h) as subsections (f) and (g),
respectively; and
(5) in subsection (f), as so redesignated, by inserting
after paragraph (2) the following new paragraph:
``(3) The term `protected individual' means--
``(A) a contractor, subcontractor, grantee, or
subgrantee of the Federal Government, including--
``(i) the government of each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, an Indian
tribe or authorized tribal organization, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other
territory or possession of the United States;
``(ii) the government of any political
subdivision of, agency of, or instrumentality
of, a government listed in clause (i); and
``(iii) an element of the intelligence
community (as defined in section 3 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3003));
``(B) an employee of a contractor, subcontractor,
grantee, or subgrantee of the Federal Government or a
former employee of such contractor, subcontractor,
grantee, or subgrantee whose protected disclosure or
engagement in any activity protected against reprisal
under this section occurred prior to termination,
including an employee of--
``(i) the government of each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, an Indian
tribe or authorized tribal organization, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other
territory or possession of the United States;
``(ii) the government of any political
subdivision of, agency of, or instrumentality
of, a government listed in clause (i); and
``(iii) an element of the intelligence
community (as defined in section 3 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3003)); or
``(C) a person performing personal services for the
Federal Government pursuant to a contractual agreement
for the performance of personal services, including a
personal services contract or personal services
agreement, including a person performing personal
services pursuant to such a contractual agreement for--
``(i) the government of each of the several
States, the District of Columbia, an Indian
tribe or authorized tribal organization, the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American
Samoa, the Virgin Islands, the Commonwealth of
the Northern Mariana Islands, or any other
territory or possession of the United States;
``(ii) the government of any political
subdivision of, agency of, or instrumentality
of, a government listed in clause (i); and
``(iii) an element of the intelligence
community (as defined in section 3 of the
National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C.
3003)).''.
DIVISION D--SEVERABILITY
SEC. 4101. SEVERABILITY.
If any provision of this Act or any amendment made by this Act, or
the application of a provision of this Act or an amendment made by this
Act to any person or circumstance, is held to be unconstitutional, the
remainder of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and the
application of the provisions or amendments of this Act to any other
person or circumstance, shall not be affected.
Calendar No. 452
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4952
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To combat fraud in Federal programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
July 14, 2026
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Official source
View the original bill, actions, and full legislative record on Congress.gov.
Status
Introduced
- 1Introduced
- 2Committee
- 3Floor
- 4Passed
- 5Signed
Timeline reflects current normalized status only. Full action history is not yet stored in the API.
Sponsors
- Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]RSenateIA
Cosponsors
- Rep. Crapo, Mike [R-ID-2]
- Rep. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS-1]
- Sen. Armstrong, Alan [R-OK]
- Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]
- Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
- Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
- Sen. Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]
- Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
- Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
- Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
- Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
- Sen. Graham, Darline [R-SC]
- Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
- Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN]
- Sen. Husted, Jon [R-OH]
- Sen. Justice, James C. [R-WV]
- Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
- Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
- Sen. Lummis, Cynthia M. [R-WY]
- Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
- Sen. McCormick, David [R-PA]
- Sen. Moody, Ashley [R-FL]
- Sen. Moreno, Bernie [R-OH]
- Sen. Ricketts, Pete [R-NE]
- Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
- Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
- Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
- Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Votes
Voting records are not yet available for this bill.