TRUE Accountability Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8466
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Emergency Management
- Status
- Passed House
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-13T05:53:29Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation establishes requirements for federal agencies to prepare internal control plans in advance for managing emergency supplemental funding. The goal is to reduce improper payments and fraud during disasters, pandemics, or economic relief efforts by ensuring controls are ready before funds are spent.
Key Provisions
- OMB Guidance: The Director of the Office of Management and Budget must issue guidance within 180 days, updated every three years, directing covered agencies to create adaptable internal control plans. Guidance draws from Government Accountability Office frameworks on improper payments and fraud risks.
- Plan Requirements: Each plan must designate a senior agency official as accountable, include risk assessments for improper payments and fraud, outline mitigation strategies, and adopt real-time data monitoring techniques such as anomaly detection.
- Risk Assessment Details: Evaluations must cover likelihood and impact of risks, risk tolerance levels, existing control suitability, and prioritization of remaining risks.
- Submission Process: Agencies submit plans to the OMB Director within one year, with reviews and revisions every three years. The Director forwards plans and summaries annually to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
- After-Action Reviews: Within 180 days after initial spending under an emergency measure, agencies (in consultation with their Inspectors General) must report on control effectiveness, failures, improper payment amounts, recovery plans, and improvement recommendations. Findings are incorporated into congressional submissions.
- No New Funding: The Act authorizes no additional appropriations for implementation.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds a new section 3359 to subchapter IV of chapter 33 of title 31, United States Code, creating mandatory pre-planned internal controls specifically for emergency spending. This builds on but does not replace general internal control standards, introducing timelines, senior accountability roles, and post-emergency reviews not previously required in this targeted manner.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Covered agencies must dedicate resources to risk planning and monitoring, potentially improving preparedness but increasing administrative workload.
- On Citizens: Stronger controls could limit waste of taxpayer funds in future emergencies, though no direct effects on individual rights or benefits are specified.
- On International Relations: None identified in the legislation.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Covered agencies (major federal entities listed under section 901(b) of title 31).
- Office of Management and Budget.
- Congressional committees on homeland security, governmental affairs, and oversight.
- Agency Inspectors General.
- Taxpayers, through indirect effects on federal spending accountability.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The measure reinforces congressional oversight of executive branch spending without altering constitutional spending authority. It emphasizes data-driven accountability and fraud prevention but imposes no new enforcement penalties or funding mechanisms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-09: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 2026-06-08: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- 2026-06-08: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 - 0 (Roll no. 208). (text: CR H3929) (Roll call 208)
- 2026-06-08: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 - 0 (Roll no. 208). (text: CR H3929) (Roll call 208)
- 2026-06-08: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3974-3975)
- 2026-06-08: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- 2026-06-08: Considered as unfinished business.
- 2026-06-08: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 8466.
- 2026-06-08: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3928-3930)
- 2026-06-08: Mr. Gill (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2026-04-29: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- 2026-04-29: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2026-04-23: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- 2026-04-23: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-23: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Taxpayer Resources Used in Emergencies Accountability Act — issued 2026-06-08 — PDF (10 pages)
- Taxpayer Resources Used in Emergencies Accountability Act — issued 2026-04-23 — PDF (7 pages)
- Taxpayer Resources Used in Emergencies Accountability Act — issued 2026-06-09 — PDF (9 pages)