Bill · H.R. 428· House(119-HR-428)
Bonuses for Cost-Cutters and Fraud Preventers Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 1/15/2025
- Last activity
- 6/9/2026 — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Sponsored by
- Charles Fleischmann
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 1
- Introduced
- Passed House
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The "Bonuses for Cost-Cutters and Fraud Preventers Act of 2026" aims to increase the authority of Federal agencies to pay cash awards to employees. These awards are intended for staff who identify wasteful expenses or prevent improper payments that would cause financial loss to the Government. The bill increases the cash award limit from $10,000 to $20,000. It also establishes new definitions for wasteful expenses and requirements for notifying the President or the Secretary of the Treasury. Finally, it mandates oversight through reports and certifications to ensure program compliance.
Yes· 3 of 5
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+3
The bill enhances fiscal oversight by providing higher financial incentives for preventing improper payments and wasteful spending.
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?+2
The bill incentivizes federal employees to identify wasteful expenses and prevent improper payments to reduce government loss.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+2
The act creates mechanisms for employees to report wasteful expenses to achieve agency cost savings.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Financial Incentives for Employees: The bill increases the cash award limit from $10,000 to $0 $20,000, allowing employees to receive higher rewards for identifying cost savings or preventing improper payments (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
-
Protection of Government Funds: By empowering employees to identify "wasteful expenses" and "improper payments," the act seeks to prevent financial loss to the Government (Section 2(b)(1)(A)).
-
Improved Transparency and Oversight: The Act requires agencies to provide information regarding disclosures of wasteful expenses or prevented improper payments, including the number and amount of cash awards provided (Section 2(b)(4)).
-
Accountability through Reporting: The Comptroller General is required to submit reports to Congressional committees regarding the operation of the cost savings and awards program, which may include recommendations for legislative changes (Section 2(b)(6)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Restrictions on Who Can Receive Awards: Certain individuals, such as officers or employees of the Office of the Inspector General or those ineligible under section 4509, are prohibited from receiving these cash awards (Section 2(b)(5)).
-
Increased Administrative Requirements: The bill mandates that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget issue specific guidance and that the Director of the Office of Personnel Management ensure agency compliance through annual certifications (Section 2(b)(5) and Section 2(c)(1)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Fiscal Responsibility+3Reduces Government Spending+2Reduces National Debt+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2Increases Federal Power+1
- 6/9/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 6/8/2026
- The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3936-3937)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3936-3937)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 428.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3936-3938)
- Mr. Gill (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 6/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/18/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 40 - 0.
- 1/15/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
- Introduced in House
Ed CaseDemocrat · Hawaii
Scott DesJarlaisRepublican · Tennessee