Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act

Sponsored byRep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15]OH· Introduced 19 May 2026

Open on Congress.gov

Cosponsors

Actions

Amendments

Committees

—

Since introduced

Introduced

Committee

Passed Chamber

Passed Both

Enacted

Step 0 of 0

Latest action

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.

3 June 2026·1 month ago

Summary

Reported to House · Updated 1 June 2026

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.

Timeline

15 actions

POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.
3 June 2026 · Floor
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1333.
3 June 2026 · Floor
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.
3 June 2026 · Floor
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8872.
3 June 2026 · Floor
Rule H. Res. 1333 passed House.
3 June 2026 · Floor
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
3 June 2026 · Floor
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.
3 June 2026 · Floor
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
29 May 2026 · Committee
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 584.
29 May 2026 · Calendars
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
29 May 2026 · Committee
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
29 May 2026 · Committee
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 584.
29 May 2026 · Calendars
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
29 May 2026 · Committee
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.
21 May 2026 · Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
21 May 2026 · Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
21 May 2026 · Committee
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.
21 May 2026 · Committee
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
21 May 2026 · Committee
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.
21 May 2026 · Committee
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
19 May 2026 · IntroReferral

Sponsorship

8 cosponsors

Sponsor

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

Cosponsors

Republican8100%

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

Classification

Policy area

Social Welfare

Legislative subjects

Congressional oversightGovernment information and archivesIntergovernmental relationsPoverty and welfare assistanceState and local financeState and local government operations

Committees

Ways and Means Committee
House · Standing
- Referred To19 May 2026
- Markup By21 May 2026
- Reported By29 May 2026

Reports

H. Rept. 119-670

Cosponsor momentum

Cumulative over time

Amendments

HAMDT 225Agreed
3 June 2026

Track Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act as it moves through Congress