Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act
Introduced Jan 28, 2025 by Sen. John Kennedy
Signed into law.
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.
The act also prohibits the SSA from recording a death in the master file unless the SSA has clear and convincing evidence that the individual should be presumed deceased. If an individual is incorrectly identified as deceased and provides the SSA with supporting documentation, the SSA may notify certain agencies that have access to the master file, including Treasury and federal or state agencies that provide or disburse federally funded benefits.
Summary by the Congressional Research Service.
No recorded roll-call vote on this bill — it may have passed by voice vote or unanimous consent, which don't record individual votes.
- Feb 10, 2026Became Public Law No: 119-77.
- Feb 10, 2026Signed by President.
- Feb 3, 2026Presented to President.
- Jan 12, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Jan 12, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
- Jan 12, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H634)
- Jan 12, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 269.
- Jan 12, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H634-637)
- Jan 12, 2026Mr. Smith (MO) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- Oct 10, 2025Held at the desk.
- Oct 10, 2025Received in the House.
- Oct 8, 2025Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- Sep 19, 2025Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798)
- Sep 19, 2025Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Sep 19, 2025Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)
- Sep 19, 2025Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
- Jul 30, 2025Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- Jan 28, 2025Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- Jan 28, 2025Introduced in Senate