Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act

Bill Number: H.R. 8872
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Social Welfare
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2026-06-03: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.
Last Updated: 2026-06-05T23:21:23Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation amends the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act. Its main goal is to direct block grant funds more precisely to low-income families, add safeguards against misuse of funds, require tracking of improper payments, and set targets for reducing fraud.

Key Provisions

Section 2 applies the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 to state TANF programs, treating them like federal agencies for payment review purposes. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must submit a plan to Congress within one year to reduce or eliminate improper payments within 10 years.
Section 3 restricts grant use to families with income below twice the federal poverty guidelines.
Section 4 updates spending rules: states must obligate most funds by the end of the next fiscal year and spend them by the end of the second following year. States may reserve up to 15 percent for future use, but total reserves cannot exceed 50 percent of the prior year's allocation, and they must notify the Secretary in advance.
Section 5 bars states from using federal TANF funds to replace their own spending on similar programs (a "supplanting" prohibition). States must certify through their chief executive that federal funds will only supplement existing state and local resources.
Section 6 sets the effective date as October 1, 2027.

Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill introduces federal-level payment integrity requirements to state-run TANF programs for the first time. It adds an income eligibility cap that did not previously exist at the federal level for all TANF expenditures. New time limits on fund use replace prior flexible carryover rules, with a limited reserve option. An explicit anti-supplanting requirement and mandatory state certification are added to section 402 and 404 of the Social Security Act.

Potential Impacts

On government agencies: States will face new reporting, certification, and spending deadline requirements, likely increasing administrative workload for TANF agencies and the Department of Health and Human Services.
On citizens: Assistance becomes limited to families below 200 percent of the poverty line, potentially narrowing eligibility in some states.
On international relations: None identified.

Main Stakeholders Affected

State governments and their TANF administering agencies.
Low-income families receiving or seeking TANF assistance.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Congress, through required reporting and oversight.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The changes operate through conditions attached to federal grants, which courts have generally upheld as within Congress's spending power. The supplanting prohibition and certification requirement add federal oversight of state fiscal decisions. The income threshold and payment integrity rules represent a shift toward greater federal direction over how states spend block grant funds.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19], Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3], Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24], Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1], Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1], Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4]

Recent Actions

2026-06-03: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.
2026-06-03: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-06-03: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8872.
2026-06-03: Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
2026-06-03: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333. (consideration: CR H3805-3810; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H3805-3806)
2026-06-03: Rule H. Res. 1333 passed House.
2026-06-03: Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1333 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8646, H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892 and H.R. 8872. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 8646 under a structured rule and H.R. 7726, H.R. 7892, and H.R. 8872 under a closed rule, with one hour of general debate on each bill. The resolution provides for one motion to recommit on each bill.
2026-05-29: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 584.
2026-05-29: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
2026-05-29: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
2026-05-21: Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.
2026-05-21: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2026-05-19: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
2026-05-19: Introduced in House
2026-05-19: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act — issued 2026-05-19 — PDF (5 pages)
Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act — issued 2026-05-29 — PDF (8 pages)