TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

STEP 2 OF 8

Introduced

In Committee

Reported

Passed House

Passed Senate

Conference

To President

Became Law

Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AI-written

This bill matters because it addresses concerns about accountability and potential misuse of federal welfare funds. Currently, there can be gaps in oversight regarding how money passed from states to other organizations is spent, and this bill aims to close those gaps. If it becomes law, it would mean a new federal unit actively watches for intentional misuse of TANF funds, potentially increasing the efficiency and integrity of the program.

For voters, this could mean greater assurance that taxpayer money intended for vulnerable families is reaching its proper beneficiaries. If the bill doesn't pass, the existing oversight framework for subrecipient TANF funds would remain, which proponents argue might not be sufficient to catch intentional misuse, potentially leading to continued instances of funds not reaching their intended purpose.

KEY PROVISIONS

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Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a new monitoring framework for subrecipient use of TANF funds, specifically to identify intentional misuse.

This establishes a new, dedicated federal effort to prevent fraud and ensures greater accountability for how these funds are spent by organizations beyond the state level.

high

Creates a new TANF Program Integrity Unit within the Administration for Children & Families and provides $10 million annually for its operations.

This provides the necessary institutional structure and dedicated funding to carry out the enhanced monitoring activities, ensuring they are consistently performed.

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Establishes a new penalty: if intentional misuse of subrecipient funds is found, the state must spend an equal amount on direct cash assistance for families below the poverty line.

This introduces a direct remedy that ensures misused funds are effectively replaced and channeled to the most vulnerable populations, rather than just imposing a general fine.

DEADLINES & DATES

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Within 2 years after the date of the enactment of this Act

Secretary of Health and Human Services must publish a notice of rulemaking to implement the amendments.

The later of the 1st day of the 5th calendar quarter that begins after the date of enactment, or the 1st day of the 1st Federal fiscal year that begins after the date of enactment.

Effective date for the amendments made by this section.

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

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AMOUNT	PROGRAM	TYPE	YEARS
$10,000,000	TANF Program Integrity Unit staffing and operations	mandatory	each fiscal year

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

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TYPE	AMOUNT	WHO
administrative	Requirement to expend an amount equal to the misused funds for direct cash assistance to families below 100% of the poverty line, in addition to any other applicable penalty.	States found to have intentional misuse of subrecipient TANF funds

GLOSSARY

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TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families): A federal block grant program that provides funds to states to help low-income families achieve self-sufficiency, often referred to as welfare.
Subrecipient: An organization or group that receives federal funds, like TANF money, from a state government to carry out a program or service, rather than directly from the federal government.
Secretary: Refers to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the head of the federal agency responsible for TANF.
Framework: A basic structure or system for doing something, in this case, for monitoring how funds are used.
Program Integrity Unit: A specialized group or division within a government agency focused on preventing fraud, waste, and abuse in a program.
Cash Assistance: Direct money payments provided to individuals or families, as opposed to non-cash benefits like food stamps or housing vouchers.

ACTION TIMELINE

2 EVENTS

MAR 14, 25

Introduced in House

INTROREFERRAL

MAR 14, 25

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.

INTROREFERRAL

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Ways and Means CommitteeReferred

Mar 14, 2025

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TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

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ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

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Discussion

TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

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TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

SPONSORSHIP

ACTION TIMELINE

BILL INFO

READER REACTIONS

Discussion

TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act of 2025

LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS

WHAT THE BILL DOES

KEY PROVISIONS

DEADLINES & DATES

FUNDING & AUTHORIZATIONS

PENALTIES & ENFORCEMENT

GLOSSARY

ACTION TIMELINE

SPONSORS

READER REACTIONS

What do you think?

Discussion

MORE INFORMATION

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