119th Congress Social Welfare
S. 269: Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
Became Law
- Introduced (completed)
- Passed Senate (completed)
- Passed House (completed)
- To the President (completed)
- Became law (completed)
Summary
This act permanently allows the Department of the Treasury to access certain death records maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help prevent and recover improper payments (e.g., payments to deceased individuals). The act also establishes evidentiary requirements the SSA must meet before identifying an individual as deceased.
Current law requires the SSA to share its Death Master File with the Do Not Pay system maintained by Treasury for three years. The act makes this requirement permanent. Treasury must enter into an agreement with the SSA related to Treasury's share of the cost of state death data.
The act also prohibits the SSA from recording a death in the master file unless the SSA has clear and convincing evidence that the individual should be presumed deceased. If an individual is incorrectly identified as deceased and provides the SSA with supporting documentation, the SSA may notify certain agencies that have access to the master file, including Treasury and federal or state agencies that provide or disburse federally funded benefits.
Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.
Roll calls
No roll call votes have been held on this bill.
Amendments
Showing 1 of 1 amendments
- S.Amdt. 3912John Kennedy R-LAAgreedSep 19, 2025Sep 19, 2025: Amendment SA 3912 agreed to in Senate by Unanimous Consent.
Cosponsors
- Gary Peters D-MIOriginal
- Mark Warner D-VA
- Joni Ernst R-IA
- Margaret Hassan D-NH
- Ashley Moody R-FL
Who scored on this bill
- 1John Kennedy SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, discharged, passed Senate, passed House, became law; 1 amendment offered, 1 agreed8 events+182
- 2Joni ErnstCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
- 2Margaret HassanCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
- 2Ashley MoodyCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
- 2Gary PetersCosponsored; cosponsored bill passed2 events+4
See all scorers and every scoring event
Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.
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- S. 2492: Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
History
- Signed by the President. Became Public Law 119-77.
- Presented to the President.
- Passed the House by voice vote.
- Passed the Senate with an amendment by unanimous consent.
- Introduced in the Senate by John Kennedy.
Show the full action history (19 actions)
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-77.
- Presented to President.
- Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Received in the House.
- Held at the desk.
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798)
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Introduced in Senate
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.