Jodey Arrington (R-TX)
Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act
A Republican bill with 3 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act," aims to amend the Social Security Act. It focuses on measuring improper payments and setting goals to eliminate fraud and improper payments within the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families. The legislation would require the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 to apply to State programs in a manner similar to how it applies to Federal agencies. Additionally, it mandates a report from the Secretary of Health and Human Services. This report must include a plan to reduce or eliminate improper payments within a 10-year timeframe.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +2
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill enhances fiscal oversight by requiring a plan to eliminate improper payments in state programs.
- Scored +2
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill enhances transparency by requiring states to follow payment integrity standards and report to Congress.
- Scored +1
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
By reducing improper payments and fraud, the bill may indirectly improve fiscal management of federal funds.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The bill reduces state autonomy by mandating stricter federal standards for payment integrity.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Accountability and Integrity: By applying the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 to State programs, the bill seeks to measure and address improper payments and fraud under the temporary assistance for needy families program (Section 2(a)).
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Long-term Reduction of Payment Errors: The requirement for the Secretary of Health and Human Services to submit a plan to reduce or eliminate improper payments within 10 years aims to create a roadmap for more accurate program administration (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill enhances fiscal oversight by requiring a plan to eliminate improper payments in state programs. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Reducing improper payments in the TANF program can lead to more efficient use of government funds. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — By reducing improper payments and fraud, the bill may indirectly improve fiscal management of federal funds.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill enhances transparency by requiring states to follow payment integrity standards and report to Congress. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal oversight by applying the Payment Integrity Information Act to State TANF programs. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill reduces state autonomy by mandating stricter federal standards for payment integrity.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — The bill improves the integrity of the Social Security Act programs by targeting improper payments.
- 5/20/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/21/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Glenn GrothmanRepublican · Wisconsin
Mike KellyRepublican · Pennsylvania
Lloyd SmuckerRepublican · Pennsylvania