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.

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

XML scalars

congress: 119
type: HR
number: 8872
originChamber: House
originChamberCode: H
introducedDate: 2026-05-19
updateDate: 2026-09-19T23:41:23Z
updateDateIncludingText: 2026-09-19T23:41:23Z
title: Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act
legislationUrl: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/8872

Constitutional authority statement (CDATA)

[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 19, 2026)][House]From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]By Mr. CAREY:H.R. 8872.Congress has the power to enact this legislation pursuantto the following:Article 1 Section 8[[Page H3628]][Page H3627]

Pipeline

Track

federal_presidential

Stage

Passed Chamber of Origin

Stage rank

Sponsor

Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15] · [R-OH-15] · C001126
Rep-OH-15 current · 3 terms · @RepMikeCarey · 1 district office

Sponsor record (congress_legislators)

Bio (legislators)

bioguide

C001126

status

current

official_full

Mike Carey

first

Mike

middle

null

last

Carey

suffix

null

nickname

null

birthday

1971-03-13

gender

Current term (3 total)

type

rep

state

district

class

null

party

Republican

caucus

null

start

2025-01-03

end

2027-01-03

end_type

null

how

null

url

https://carey.house.gov

address

1433 Longworth House Office Building Washington DC 20515-3515

office

1433 Longworth House Office Building

phone

202-225-2015

fax

null

contact_form

null

rss_url

null

Leadership roles (0)

none

Committee memberships (7)

House Committee on House Administration (house) · house · rank 6 · site
House Committee on Ways and Means (house) · house · rank 22 · site
House Committee on the Budget (house) · house · rank 15 · site
Modernization and Innovation (house) · house · rank 2
Social Security (house) · house · rank 2
Work and Welfare (house) · house · rank 2
Joint Committee of Congress on the Library (joint) · joint · rank 3 · site

Social media

Twitter: @RepMikeCarey
Facebook: @RepMikeCarey
YouTube: @@congressmanmikecarey

District offices (1)

140 E Town St., Suite 1200, Columbus, OH, 43215 · 614-927-6902 · 39.9597032,-82.99609939999999

Other names (0)

none

Sponsor FEC record (fec_live)

Candidate record (candidates) · cycle 2026

candidate_id

H2OH15228

cycle

2026

name

CAREY, MIKE

party

REPUBLICAN PARTY

office

House

state

district

incumbent_challenge

Incumbent

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active_through

2026

election_year

null

first_file_date

2021-05-14

last_file_date

2024-11-15

last_f2_date

2024-11-15

address

null

Candidate summary (candidate_summaries) · cycle 2026

cycle

2026

total_receipts

$3,299,678.50

total_disbursements

$1,404,260.15

cash_on_hand_end_period

$2,056,712.66

debts_owed_by_committee

$0.00

coverage_start_date

2025-01-01

coverage_end_date

2026-06-30

Connected committees (0)

none

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Arrington, Jodey C. [R-TX-19] · [R-TX-19] · A000375 · Co-sponsored 2026-05-19 · original
Rep-TX-19 current · 5 terms · @RepArrington · 2 district offices
Rep. Bean, Aaron [R-FL-4] · [R-FL-4] · B001314 · Co-sponsored 2026-05-19 · original
Rep-FL-4 current · 2 terms · @RepAaronBean · 3 district offices
Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7] · [R-OH-7] · M001222 · Co-sponsored 2026-05-19 · original
Rep-OH-7 current · 2 terms · @repmaxmiller · 2 district offices
Rep. Smith, Adrian [R-NE-3] · [R-NE-3] · S001172 · Co-sponsored 2026-05-19 · original
Rep-NE-3 current · 10 terms · @RepAdrianSmith · 3 district offices
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24] · [R-NY-24] · T000478 · Co-sponsored 2026-05-19 · original
Rep-NY-24 current · 4 terms · @RepTenney · 4 district offices
Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1] · [R-UT-1] · M001213 · Co-sponsored 2026-05-20
Rep-UT-1 current · 3 terms · @RepBlakeMoore · 1 district office
Rep. Miller, Carol D. [R-WV-1] · [R-WV-1] · M001205 · Co-sponsored 2026-05-20
Rep-WV-1 current · 4 terms · @RepCarolMiller · 3 district offices
Rep. Feenstra, Randy [R-IA-4] · [R-IA-4] · F000446 · Co-sponsored 2026-05-20
Rep-IA-4 current · 3 terms · @RepFeenstra · 3 district offices

Committees (1)

Ways and Means Committee [House Standing]
2026-05-29T16:55:55ZReported By
2026-05-21T15:14:00ZMarkup By
2026-05-19T16:00:15ZReferred To

Actions — from XML (15)

2026-06-03 16:08:49FloorH8D000via House floor actions
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of rule XIX, the Chair announced further proceedings on H.R. 8872 is postponed.
2026-06-03 16:08:09FloorH35000via House floor actions
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-06-03 15:23:54FloorH8D000via House floor actions
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8872.
2026-06-03 15:22:43FloorH8D000via House floor actions
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.
2026-06-03 15:22:38FloorH30000via House floor actions
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)
2026-06-03 14:32:11FloorH1L220via House floor actions
Rule H. Res. 1333 passed House.
2026-06-03 09:18:44FloorH1L210via House floor actions
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.
2026-05-29CalendarsH12410via House floor actions
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 584.
2026-05-29CommitteeH12200via House floor actions
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
2026-05-29Committee5000via Library of Congress
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-670.
2026-05-21Committeevia House committee actions
Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 19.
2026-05-21Committeevia House committee actions
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
2026-05-19IntroReferralH11100via House floor actions
Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
2026-05-19IntroReferralIntro-Hvia Library of Congress
Introduced in House
2026-05-19IntroReferral1000via Library of Congress
Introduced in House

Actions — from bill_actions table (0)

none

Titles

Display Title2026-09-19T23:41:23Z
Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act
Official Title as IntroducedIH2026-09-19T23:41:23Z
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.
Short Title(s) as Reported to HouseRHH2026-05-30T04:53:25Z
Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act
Short Title(s) as IntroducedIH2026-05-20T08:23:25Z
Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act

Text versions (from XML)

Reported in House2026-05-29T04:00:00Z
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr8872rh/xml/BILLS-119hr8872rh.xml
Introduced in House2026-05-19T04:00:00Z
https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/BILLS-119hr8872ih/xml/BILLS-119hr8872ih.xml

Versions — from bill_versions table (0)

none

Policy area

Social Welfare

Summaries

07 · 2026-05-29 · Reported to House

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.

Related bills

HR 2242 (119) Eliminating Fraud and Improper Payments in TANF Act
Latest: 2025-03-21 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Relationship: Related bill (via CRS)
HR 2359 (119) Improve Transparency and Stability for Families and Children Act
Latest: 2025-03-26 — Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
Relationship: Related bill (via CRS)
HRES 1333 (119) Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8646) making appropriations for Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7726) to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to withhold funds from noncompliant States under such Act; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 7892) to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require to the Secretary of Education to use an identity fraud detection system to review each FAFSA to determine whether the FAFSA presents a reasonable suspicion of identity fraud; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8872) 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.
Latest: 2026-06-03 — Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Relationship: Procedurally related (via House)

Amendments (1)

HAMDT 225 (119)
Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1333, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Ways and Means now printed in the bill is considered as adopted.
Submitted 2026-06-03T04:00:00Z
Chamber: House of Representatives
Amends: HR 8872 (119)
Latest: 2026-06-03 — On agreeing to the Rules amendment (A001) Agreed to without objection.
Sponsors
- null

Laws

none

Committee reports

H. Rept. 119-670

Calendar number

null

CBO cost estimates

H.R. 8872, Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act2026-06-01T16:10:00Z
https://www.cbo.gov/publication/62494
As reported by the House Committee on Ways and Means on May 29, 2026

Latest action

Date

2026-06-03

Text

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

Time

16:08:49

Dublin Core

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Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code, this file is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain.

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Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress

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This file contains bill summaries and statuses for federal legislation. A bill summary describes the most significant provisions of a piece of legislation and details the effects the legislative text may have on current law and federal programs. Bill summaries are authored by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) of the Library of Congress. As stated in Public Law 91-510 (2 USC 166 (d)(6)), one of the duties of CRS is "to prepare summaries and digests of bills and resolutions of a public general nature introduced in the Senate or House of Representatives". For more information, refer to the User Guide that accompanies this file.

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Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act

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Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act

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

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