Mike Carey (R-OH)
Improve Transparency and Stability for Families and Children Act
A Republican bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 2 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 "Improve Transparency and Stability for Families and Children Act," aims to amend the Social Security Act. It seeks to establish specific deadlines for how States obligate and expend funds received through block grants for temporary assistance for needy families. Additionally, the bill would allow States to reserve a limited portion of these funds for future use. These changes are intended to manage how funds are handled within State programs. The new rules would take effect on October 1, 2026.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +2
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Providing states with tools to build reserves may lead to more reliable temporary assistance for low-income families.
- Scored +2
Is this likely to lift people out of poverty?
The ability for states to create rainy day funds may provide more stable assistance for families in need.
- Scored +1
Would children be better off under this?
Stable funding through rainy day funds can help ensure continuous assistance for children.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Establishment of Rainy Day Funds: States are permitted to reserve up to 15 percent of their funds for future use in their State program, provided the total reserves do not exceed 50 percent of the previous year's total payments (Section 2(a)(2)(A) and (B)). This allows for potential financial stability within State programs.
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Clear Timelines for Fund Usage: The bill requires States to obligate funds by the end of the succeeding fiscal year and expend them by the end of the second succeeding fiscal year (Section 2(a)(1)). This creates a structured timeline for how State funds are utilized.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Fund Retention: States are prohibited from reserving more than 15 percent of their current fiscal year funds for future use, and total reserves are capped at 50 percent of the previous year's total payments (Section 2(a)(2)(A) and (B)). This could limit a State's ability to set aside larger amounts of money for future needs.
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Mandatory Expenditure Deadlines: States must obligate funds by the end of the succeeding fiscal year and expend them by the end of the second succeeding fiscal year (Section 2(a)(1)). These deadlines may create pressure on how and when funds are distributed to those in need.
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Providing states with tools to build reserves may lead to more reliable temporary assistance for low-income families. Would children be better off under this? — Stable funding through rainy day funds can help ensure continuous assistance for children.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — By setting specific deadlines for obligation and expenditure, the bill promotes greater fiscal transparency. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The bill grants states more flexibility to establish reserve funds for their assistance programs.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The ability for states to create rainy day funds may provide more stable assistance for families in need.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill introduces specific deadlines and reserve limits to improve the management of state funds.
- 5/13/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/26/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 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.
Mike KellyRepublican · Pennsylvania
Max MillerRepublican · Ohio