H.R.2108 - TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2108, the TANF State Expenditure Integrity Act of 2025, aims to prevent and address the intentional misuse of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) subrecipient funds. The bill mandates increased monitoring of subrecipient fund usage and establishes a TANF Program Integrity Unit within the Administration for Children & Families. It also increases funding for this unit by $10 million annually and requires the Secretary to report annually to Congress on the unit's activities.
Expected Effects
The bill will likely lead to increased oversight of how states distribute TANF funds to subrecipients. States found to have intentionally misused funds will face penalties, including being required to expend an equivalent amount on direct cash assistance to families below the poverty line. This could result in more accountability in the TANF program and potentially more resources reaching needy families.
Potential Benefits
- Increased Accountability: Enhanced monitoring should deter misuse of funds.
- Targeted Assistance: Penalties redirect misused funds to direct cash assistance for impoverished families.
- Program Integrity: The TANF Program Integrity Unit will focus on preventing misuse.
- Transparency: Annual reports to Congress will provide oversight of the program's effectiveness.
- Rulemaking: The Secretary of Health and Human Services will publish a notice of rulemaking to implement the amendments made by this section.
Potential Disadvantages
- Increased Bureaucracy: Establishing a new unit and monitoring framework could increase administrative overhead.
- Potential for State Burden: States may face increased compliance costs and administrative burdens.
- Delayed Implementation: The effective date is contingent on future calendar quarters or fiscal years.
- Limited Scope: The bill focuses primarily on intentional misuse, potentially overlooking unintentional errors or inefficiencies.
- Funding Source: The $10 million increase is drawn from existing TANF funds, potentially reducing funds available for other TANF programs.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution (Preamble), as it seeks to ensure that TANF funds are used effectively to assist needy families. Congress's power to tax and spend for the general welfare is established, and this bill provides additional oversight for a federal program. The bill does not appear to infringe upon any specific individual rights or liberties protected by the Constitution or its amendments.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).