John Kennedy (R-LA)· Sep 19, 2025
S.Amdt. 3912: In the nature of a substitute.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
John Kennedy (R-LA)
Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
S. 269 · Senate bill Social Welfare
A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 5 cosponsors
Last activity — Became Public Law No: 119-77.
Became law
Passed both chambers and was signed by the President, or became law without a signature.
Nothing more in Congress: it is law. When it takes effect depends on the dates written into it — some parts start at once, others a year or more later.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Passed House voice vote
- To President
- Became Law
No one's position on it was recorded: the Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote), and the House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together).
What this bill would do
The "Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act" aims to improve coordination between Federal and State agencies and the Do Not Pay working system. It directs the Commissioner of Social Security to provide information to the Do Not Pay working system to prevent and recover improper payments. The bill requires an agreement regarding the proportional share of State death data costs. It also mandates that clear and convincing evidence be found before recording a death. Additionally, the Commissioner must notify cooperating agencies if an individual was incorrectly identified as deceased.
Yes· 3 of 8
- Scored +5
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
Enhances oversight and coordination to eliminate improper payments.
- Scored +4
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
Requires clear and convincing evidence before recording a death to protect individuals from being incorrectly identified as deceased.
- Scored +3
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?
Reduces wasteful spending by improving the identification of deceased recipients.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prevention of improper payments: By providing information to the Do Not Pay working system, the bill helps prevent benefits or other payments from being paid improperly (Section 2(a)).
-
Error correction: The bill requires the Commissioner of Social Security to notify agencies of errors when individuals are incorrectly identified as deceased (Section 2(b)).
-
Evidence requirement: The Commissioner cannot record a death unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the individual should be presumed deceased (Section 2(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals 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? — Enhances oversight and coordination to eliminate improper payments. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Reduces wasteful spending by improving the identification of deceased recipients. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — Prevents improper payments of federal benefits to deceased individuals, potentially saving government funds.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — Requires clear and convincing evidence before recording a death to protect individuals from being incorrectly identified as deceased. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — Improves coordination and reporting accuracy between state and federal agencies.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would retired people be better off under this? — Directly affects the administration of retirement benefits by ensuring they are paid to living individuals. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Protects seniors from incorrect death recordings and improves Social Security administration.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this strengthen Social Security? — Improves the integrity of the Social Security system by reducing improper payments.
- Public Law (2/11/2026)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
- 2/10/2026
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-77.
- 2/3/2026
- Presented to President.
- 1/12/2026
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637)
- Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 10/10/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 10/8/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 9/19/2025
- Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)
- 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 S6798)
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 7/29/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/28/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 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.
Joni ErnstRepublican · Iowa
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Ashley MoodyRepublican · Florida
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia