119th Congress Social Welfare
H.R. 8872: Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act
Reported
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed House (not reached)
- Passed Senate (not reached)
- To the President (not reached)
- Became law (not reached)
Summary
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.)
Read the full summary
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.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
No amendments were offered to this bill.
Cosponsors
- Jodey Arrington R-TXOriginal
- Aaron Bean R-FLOriginal
- Max Miller R-OHOriginal
- Adrian Smith R-NEOriginal
- Claudia Tenney R-NYOriginal
- Randy Feenstra R-IA
- Carol Miller R-WV
- Blake Moore R-UT
Who scored on this bill
- 1Mike Carey SponsorIntroduced, marked up, reported3 events+32
See all scorers and every scoring event
Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
Other bills by Mike Carey
- H.R. 6431: New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency Act
- H.R. 1453: Clean Energy Demonstration Transparency Act of 2025
- H.J.Res. 25: Disapproval of Internal Revenue Service rule: Gross Proceeds Reporting by Brokers That Regularly Provide Services Effectuating Digital Asset Sales
- H.R. 6513: COCOA Act of 2024
- H.R. 1069: Clean Energy Demonstration Transparency Act of 2023
History
- Introduced in the House by Mike Carey.
Show the full action history (13 actions)
- 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.
- Rule H. Res. 1333 passed House.
- 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)
- 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.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8872.
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 584.
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.
- Introduced in House
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.