Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act

Passed by voice vote or unanimous consent — no individual positions were recorded.

Official summary (CRS)

This act permanently allows the Department of the Treasury to access certain death records maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to help prevent and recover improper payments (e.g., payments to deceased individuals). The act also establishes evidentiary requirements the SSA must meet before identifying an individual as deceased.

Current law requires the SSA to share its Death Master File with the Do Not Pay system maintained by Treasury for three years. The act makes this requirement permanent. Treasury must enter into an agreement with the SSA related to Treasury's share of the cost of state death data.

Full text on congress.gov ↗

Sponsor
Sen. John Kennedy ( Republican · LA)

Cosponsors
5

Introduced
1/28/25

Policy area
Social Welfare

Status

1/28/25Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

1/28/25Introduced in Senate

7/30/25Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

9/19/25Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798)

9/19/25Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.

9/19/25Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)

9/19/25Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.

10/8/25Message on Senate action sent to the House.

10/10/25Held at the desk.

10/10/25Received in the House.

1/12/26Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

1/12/26On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)

1/12/26Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)

1/12/26DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269.

1/12/26Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637)

1/12/26Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.

2/3/26Presented to President.

2/10/26Became Public Law No: 119-77.

2/10/26Signed by President.