Bill · H.R. 6881· House(119-HR-6881)
WALZ Act
- Introduced
- 12/18/2025
- Last activity
- 12/18/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Sponsored by
- Mariannette Miller-Meeks
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Welfare Abuse and Laundering Zillions Act" or the "WALZ Act," directs the Inspector General of the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct specific investigations. It focuses on programs administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. An investigation must be opened if the total amount paid to providers of services and suppliers increases by 10 percent or more compared to the previous 6-month period. The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress.
Yes
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+3
By requiring oversight of significant surges in program payments, the bill promotes greater accountability in how federal funds are distributed.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+2
The bill mandates investigations into programs with rapid payment increases, which serves as a mechanism to detect and potentially prevent excessive government spending.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+2
The bill increases transparency by mandating that the Inspector General investigate significant upward trends in program expenditures.
The opposite· 3 of 4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-1
Increased investigations into HHS programs could lead to administrative changes that affect the continuity of low-income support services.
Would people in cities be better off under this?-1
If the investigations result in reduced funding for HHS-administered services, urban residents who rely on these programs may be negatively impacted.
Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes?-1
The investigations triggered by payment surges could lead to stricter oversight or reductions in funding for programs like Medicaid.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Mandatory oversight of payment surges: The bill requires the Inspector General to open an investigation if payments to providers and suppliers increase by 10 percent or more over a 6-month period (Section 2). This could serve as a check on programs experiencing rapid increases in spending.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the provided text.
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+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households-1Good For Urban Residents-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+2
- Healthcare
- Increases Medicaid Funding-1
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction-1
- 1/8/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 12/18/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Education and Workforce, Ways and Means, and Natural Resources, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Introduced in House
Brian BabinRepublican · Texas
Earl CarterRepublican · Georgia