Targets fraud in federal programs by requiring payment checks, extending deadlines for fraud prosecutions, rescinding unspent COVID-era funds, and barring aid to entities controlled by foreign agents.

Official title: Protecting American Taxpayers Act

Next stop Senate floor: awaiting a vote

Timeline each lane is a chamber; dates pull from congress.gov actions

Senate

Introduced 22-APR-2026

On the calendar 22-APR-2026

Key points

Requires HHS to notify the Inspector General when Medicare, Medicaid, CHIP, or Exchange plan payments or provider counts in a zip code and county rise more than 100 percent in a year.
Requires child care payments to be based on recorded attendance rather than enrollment alone.
Rescinds unobligated balances from several pandemic-era laws and the Afghanistan reconstruction funds, and applies the amounts to deficit reduction.
Bars any entity controlled by an agent of a covered foreign principal from receiving direct or indirect federal financial assistance.

AI-generated from the Placed on Calendar Senate text of 27-APR-2026 · verify · report an error

Official CRS summary

No CRS summary yet. CRS writes one for most bills, often months after they move.

CRS is the Library of Congress's nonpartisan research office. Check on congress.gov

Committee referrals (0)

No committee referrals on file.

Policy area

Government Operations and Politics

Sponsor Joni Ernst (R-IA) Cosponsors · 21

■ 21 R