Bill · S. 269· Senate(119-S-269)
Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
- Introduced
- 1/28/2025
- Last activity
- 2/10/2026 — Became Public Law No: 119-77.
- Sponsored by
- John Kennedy
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 3
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To President
- Became Law
What this bill would do
The "Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act" aims to improve coordination between Federal and State agencies and the Do Not Pay working system. It directs the Commissioner of Social Security to provide information to the Do Not Pay working system to prevent and recover improper payments. The bill requires an agreement regarding the proportional share of State death data costs. It also mandates that clear and convincing evidence be found before recording a death. Additionally, the Commissioner must notify cooperating agencies if an individual was incorrectly identified as deceased.
Yes· 3 of 8
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+5
Enhances oversight and coordination to eliminate improper payments.
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?+4
Requires clear and convincing evidence before recording a death to protect individuals from being incorrectly identified as deceased.
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+3
Reduces wasteful spending by improving the identification of deceased recipients.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Prevention of improper payments: By providing information to the Do Not Pay working system, the bill helps prevent benefits or other payments from being paid improperly (Section 2(a)).
-
Error correction: The bill requires the Commissioner of Social Security to notify agencies of errors when individuals are incorrectly identified as deceased (Section 2(b)).
-
Evidence requirement: The Commissioner cannot record a death unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the individual should be presumed deceased (Section 2(a)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No negative impacts for individuals are explicitly 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+5Reduces Government Spending+3Reduces National Debt+2
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Due Process+4Improves Government Transparency+3
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Retirees+3Good For Seniors+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Social Security+2
- Public Law(2/11/2026)
The text as it became law
- Enrolled Bill
The final version, on its way to the President
| Updated | Bill | Title | Policy Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 months ago | In the nature of a substitute. |
- 2/10/2026
- Signed by President.
- Became Public Law No: 119-77.
- 2/3/2026
- Presented to President.
- 1/12/2026
- 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 Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637)
- Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 10/10/2025
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 10/8/2025
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 9/19/2025
- Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798)
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 7/29/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 3/10/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 2/24/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/28/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Joni ErnstRepublican · Iowa
Maggie HassanDemocrat · New Hampshire
Ashley MoodyRepublican · Florida
Gary PetersDemocrat · Michigan
Mark WarnerDemocrat · Virginia