H.R. 8872 Reported by committee Social Welfare

Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act

To amend part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to target funds to low-income families, strengthen program integrity guardrails for State expenditure of funds, require measurement of improper payments, and establish goals for eliminating fraud and improper payments under the program of block grants to States for temporary assistance for needy families, and for other purposes.

  1. Introduced
  2. Committee
  3. Passed House
  4. Passed Senate
  5. To President
  6. Became law
Sponsor Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15] Introduced May 19, 2026 Cosponsors 8 (8 R) Latest action June 3, 2026

Summary

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.

Summary by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Congress.gov

Actions

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

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