Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act

Bill Number

H.R. 8312

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Passed House

Latest Action

2026-06-11: Received in the Senate.

Last Updated

2026-06-15T18:05:37Z

AI-Generated Summary

Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act

Purpose

This legislation aims to strengthen fraud prevention, improve program integrity, and enhance oversight of federal spending by establishing dedicated functions within the Department of the Treasury and creating a permanent governmentwide Inspector General for Fraud, Accountability, and Recovery.

Key Provisions

• Treasury Department Functions: Amends 31 U.S.C. § 306 to expand the Bureau of the Fiscal Service's role in administering the Do Not Pay system and operating a voluntary governmentwide data analysis program. This includes data sharing with federal agencies and state/local governments for fraud detection, screening awardees, verifying identities, and sharing best practices with financial institutions.
• New Inspector General Office: Establishes the Office of the Inspector General for Fraud, Accountability, and Recovery (IG FAR) within the Treasury Department under 31 U.S.C. § 317. The IG is appointed by the President with Senate confirmation and has duties to oversee "covered funds," conduct audits and investigations, support other Inspectors General, coordinate with the Department of Justice, and maintain an advisory committee of other IGs.
• Data Sharing and Analysis: Requires the Fiscal Service to provide data analytics services, receive bulk data, and support the IG FAR. Amends authorities to enter into memoranda of understanding for data access and mandates legislative recommendations for future large supplemental spending bills.
• Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) Transition: Terminates the PRAC on December 31, 2028, and transfers its assets, obligations, and personnel to the new IG FAR office.
• Reporting and Oversight: Requires annual and periodic reports to Congress, establishment of a public website for transparency, and agency responses to audit findings.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Changes "may" to "shall" in the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, making the governmentwide data analysis program mandatory.
• Broadens the definition of "covered funds" to include funds from multiple COVID-19 relief acts, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Inflation Reduction Act, and other specified programs, plus federal awards over $50,000.
• Creates a new permanent IG position with expanded authorities beyond the Treasury Department, including law enforcement treatment for records and personnel flexibilities.
• Requires coordination in designating Do Not Pay databases and mandates Treasury to provide legislative recommendations on fraud prevention for future major spending measures.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: Enhances interagency data sharing and coordination for fraud detection, potentially reducing improper payments and improving oversight efficiency across federal programs.
• Citizens and Recipients: May lead to stronger safeguards against fraud in federal payments and awards, with greater transparency through public reporting, though subject to privacy and security protections.
• International Relations: No direct impacts identified in the legislation.

Main Stakeholders

• Federal agencies and their Inspectors General.
• The Department of the Treasury and Office of Management and Budget.
• Congress (particularly oversight and appropriations committees).
• State, local, and tribal governments administering federally funded programs.
• Recipients of federal awards, loans, and payments (including businesses and individuals).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Grants the IG FAR authorities under 5 U.S.C. Chapter 4, with specific treatment of records for law enforcement purposes and exemptions from certain initial determinations. Emphasizes compliance with privacy and security laws in data sharing.
• Constitutional: Follows standard appointment and removal processes for Inspectors General; includes provisions for acting officials during transition.
• Political: Establishes a permanent structure for cross-government fraud oversight, transitioning temporary pandemic-era mechanisms into ongoing operations, with requirements for recommendations on future emergency spending legislation.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4]

Recent Actions

• 2026-06-11: Received in the Senate.
• 2026-06-10: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
• 2026-06-10: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 240 - 181 (Roll no. 218). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4065-4069) (Roll call 218)
• 2026-06-10: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 240 - 181 (Roll no. 218). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H4065-4069) (Roll call 218)
• 2026-06-10: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4077-4078)
• 2026-06-10: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 8312, the Chair put the question on passage and by voice vote, announced the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Walkinshaw demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.
• 2026-06-10: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
• 2026-06-10: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8312.
• 2026-06-10: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8312, H.R. 8464, H. Res. 1335 and S. 2. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8312, H.R. 8464, H. Res. 1335, and S. 2 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit H.R. 8312 and H.R. 8464 and a motion to commit S. 2.
• 2026-06-10: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1345. (consideration: CR H4065-4071)
• 2026-06-08: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1345 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8312, H.R. 8464, H. Res. 1335 and S. 2. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8312, H.R. 8464, H. Res. 1335, and S. 2 under a closed rule with one hour of general debate on each measure. The resolution provides for a motion to recommit H.R. 8312 and H.R. 8464 and a motion to commit S. 2.
• 2026-06-03: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 596.
• 2026-06-03: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-683.
• 2026-06-03: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-683.
• 2026-04-29: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 17.

Bill Versions

• Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act — issued 2026-06-10 — PDF (38 pages)
• Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act — issued 2026-04-15 — PDF (36 pages)
• Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act — issued 2026-06-03 — PDF (38 pages)

Related Bills

• H.Res. 1345 (119th Congress)