Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act passed the House 15 days after introduction and awaits a vote in the Senate
Written by the Congressional Research Service [2]. 249 words.
Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act This bill limits how and when states may use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds and establishes an eligibility threshold for all TANF-funded assistance and services. Currently, each state sets its own eligibility threshold for TANF-funded cash assistance. The bill establishes an upper limit on eligibility applicable to all assistance and services (including non-cash benefits) funded by TANF family assistance grants. Under this provision, only families with income under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines may receive TANF-funded assistance and services. Further, the bill generally requires states to obligate TANF funds by the end of the fiscal year after they are paid and to spend funds by the end of the second fiscal year after they are paid. However, states may reserve a specified portion of their TANF funds for future use. (There is currently no requirement to use TANF funds within a specified period.) The bill also explicitly requires states to use federal TANF funds to supplement, not replace, state and local funding for TANF-supported programs. (Current law requires states to spend a specified minimum amount on TANF-eligible activities and populations, known as the maintenance of effort requirement.) States must also take specified steps to track and report on improper payments of federal funds (e.g., overpayments, underpayments, payments to ineligible recipients). Within one year of enactment, HHS must submit to Congress a plan to reduce or eliminate improper payments made by states under the TANF program within 10 years.
- Committees
- House Ways and Means Committee
- Policy area
- Social Welfare: 12 of 1,043 bills became law, 113th–118th (1.2%)
- Sponsor
- 2 of 62 bills enacted since 2013
- Text versions
- 2, from introduced in house to reported in house · 682 words
- Subjects
- Congressional oversightGovernment information and archivesIntergovernmental relationsPoverty and welfare assistanceState and local financeState and local government operations
- Latest action
- Jun 3, 2026: POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.
- Records
- Congress.gov · Bill text
Each bill appears once, under its strongest link. 3 in all.
Procedural (rules, motions) · 1
- 119th H.Res. 1333 Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8646) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, R · Agreed to
Related, per CRS or House · 2
- 119th H.R. 2242 Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act R · Introduced
- 119th H.R. 2359 Improve Transparency and Stability for Families and Children Act R · Introduced