H.R. 2978 Passed the House Crime and Law Enforcement

GUARD Act

To permit State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies that receive eligible Federal grant funds to use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud, and to clarify that Federal law enforcement agencies may assist State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies in the use of tracing tools for blockchain and related technology, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3] Introduced April 21, 2025 Cosponsors 54 (30 R, 24 D) Latest action September 16, 2026

Summary

Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception Act of 2026 or the GUARD Act of 2026

This bill allows state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies and grantees that receive funds from certain law enforcement grant programs to use the funds to investigate general financial fraud, elder financial fraud, and pig butchering. Pig butchering refers to a confidence and investment fraud in which a victim is gradually lured into transferring increasing amounts of money, generally in the form of cryptocurrency, into a fake virtual investment. 
The bill allows federal law enforcement agencies to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies and fusion centers in the use of tracing tools for blockchain and related technology tools.
Finally, the bill requires the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to report on efforts to combat general financial fraud, elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and scams, including an evaluation of any legislative recommendations to improve the efforts. The bill also requires FinCEN to report on the state of general financial fraud, elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and scams in the United States, including trends in the crimes.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Roll-call votes

  • HouseSep 15, 2026·Roll 301·H.R. 2978
    GUARD Act
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended
    Passed414–7
    R 203–7 D 210–0 I 1–0

Actions

  1. Sep 16, 2026 Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 627.
  2. Sep 15, 2026 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  3. Sep 15, 2026 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 7 (Roll no. 301). (text: CR H5602-5603)
  4. Sep 15, 2026 Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5822)
  5. Sep 14, 2026 At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  6. Sep 14, 2026 DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 2978.
  7. Sep 14, 2026 Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H5602-5605)
  8. Sep 14, 2026 Ms. De La Cruz moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  9. Jun 24, 2026 Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-709, Part I.
  10. May 13, 2026 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 52 - 0.
  11. May 13, 2026 Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
  12. Apr 21, 2025 Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.

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