Joni Ernst (R-IA)· Apr 29, 2026
S.Amdt. 5440: In the nature of a substitute.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This act, known as the "SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act," aims to extend the statute of limitations for fraud related to specific pandemic programs. It extends the period for criminal prosecution or civil enforcement actions regarding shuttered venue operators and restaurant revitalization grants to 10 years after a violation or conspiracy occurs. Additionally, the bill requires the Attorney General to submit regular reports to Congress. These reports must detail Department of Justice activities regarding these two specific programs. The reporting requirements include data on investigations, prosecutions, and recovered funds.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates detailed reports to Congress on DOJ investigation and prosecution activities.
- Scored +4
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Extending the statute of limitations for fraud recovery promotes better oversight of public funds.
- Scored +3
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill aids in recovering stolen funds through extended enforcement, which helps mitigate losses to government programs.
The opposite
- Scored -3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners involved in these programs face a significantly longer window for potential legal action.
- Scored -2
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Extending statutes of limitations can be seen as reducing the finality of legal matters for individuals.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Extended enforcement period for Shuttered Venue Operators: This provision allows for criminal prosecution or civil enforcement actions to be filed up to 10 years after a violation or conspiracy regarding grants for shuttered venue operators (Section 2(a)).
-
Extended enforcement period for Restaurant Revitalization: This provision allows for criminal prosecution or civil enforcement actions to be filed up to 10 years after a violation or conspiracy regarding restaurant revitalization grants (Section 2(b)).
-
Increased Transparency through Reporting: The Attorney General is required to submit reports to Congress every 90 days for 5 years, detailing investigations, prosecutions, and the disposition of referrals for the specified programs (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the 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? — Extending the statute of limitations for fraud recovery promotes better oversight of public funds. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill aids in recovering stolen funds through extended enforcement, which helps mitigate losses to government programs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates detailed reports to Congress on DOJ investigation and prosecution activities. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal enforcement capabilities and reporting requirements for pandemic-era programs. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Extending statutes of limitations can be seen as reducing the finality of legal matters for individuals.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners involved in these programs face a significantly longer window for potential legal action.
Edward Markey (D-MA)· Apr 29, 2026
S.Amdt. 5441: To require a report on Department of Justice activity relating to certain programs.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
- 8/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 5/4/2026
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 5/1/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 4/29/2026
- Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S2107-2108)
- The committee substitute withdrawn by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S2108)
- 3/18/2026
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
- 2/25/2026
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
- 12/10/2025
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Ernst with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 134.
- 7/16/2025
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 3/27/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- Introduced in Senate
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.
David McCormickRepublican · Pennsylvania