H.R. 3468
119th CONGRESS 1st Session
To require the Commissioner of Social Security, the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Commissioner of Internal Revenue, the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to certify to Congress that any planned staffing cuts or regional field office closures will not impact the provision of Congressionally-authorized services, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES · May 15, 2025 · Sponsor: Ms. Sherrill
Table of contents
SEC. 1. Short title
- This Act may be cited as the Protecting Retirement and Health Benefits for Families Act.
SEC. 2. Certification to Congress
- (a) In general
- The head of a covered agency shall certify to Congress before carrying out a covered activity that such covered activity will not impact the provision of services or benefits by such covered agency in a manner that—
- reduces the receipt of benefits or financial assistance from a covered agency by individuals who are eligible for, or entitled to, such benefits or financial assistance;
- increases delays in the receipt of benefits or financial assistance from a covered agency, or in the response times of a covered agency to inquiries about benefit or financial assistance receipt, by individuals who are eligible for, or entitled to, such benefits or financial assistance; or
- limits the ability of the staff of a covered agency to conduct outreach or other activities designed to increase the receipt of benefits or financial assistance from a covered agency by individuals who are eligible for, or entitled to, such benefits or financial assistance.
- The head of a covered agency shall certify to Congress before carrying out a covered activity that such covered activity will not impact the provision of services or benefits by such covered agency in a manner that—
- (b) Report
- Along with each certification required by subsection (a), the head of a covered agency shall submit a report to Congress explaining how the head of the agency will shift resources or operational procedures of the agency to ensure that carrying out the covered activity does not impact the provision of services or benefits by that covered agency in a manner described under paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a), including how the head of the covered agency will shift resources or operational procedures of the agency to prevent the covered activity from—
- causing staffing shortages that reduce the ability of the covered agency to process benefit claims and send out benefit payments;
- leading to increases in phone and walk-in wait times for benefits-related inquiries;
- reducing the level or intensity of outreach efforts designed to boost the receipt of benefits by individuals eligible for those benefits;
- harming the ability of the head of such covered agency to conduct regulatory, investigatory, and enforcement functions that protect the public, ensure compliance with applicable laws, and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse; and
- harming the ability of the head of such covered agency to fulfill statutory and administrative mandates related to the core functions of the agency, including those not explicitly tied to direct benefits disbursement but integral to public service, financial administration, support for State and municipal housing authorities, health care oversight, tax administration, or the administration of veterans’ health care and education benefits.
- Along with each certification required by subsection (a), the head of a covered agency shall submit a report to Congress explaining how the head of the agency will shift resources or operational procedures of the agency to ensure that carrying out the covered activity does not impact the provision of services or benefits by that covered agency in a manner described under paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a), including how the head of the covered agency will shift resources or operational procedures of the agency to prevent the covered activity from—
- (c) Inspector general study and report
- With respect to each covered activity carried out by the head of a covered agency, the Inspector General concerned shall, not later than 1 year after the head of a covered agency submits the certification required by subsection (a) with respect to such activity, and one year after the head of such agency carries out such activity—
- study whether carrying out such covered activity has impacted the provision of services or benefits by that covered agency in a manner described under paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a); and
- submit a report to Congress on the results of such study.
- With respect to each covered activity carried out by the head of a covered agency, the Inspector General concerned shall, not later than 1 year after the head of a covered agency submits the certification required by subsection (a) with respect to such activity, and one year after the head of such agency carries out such activity—
- (d) Reversal of covered activity
- If an Inspector General determines under the study required by subsection (b) that carrying out a covered activity effected the provision of services or benefits by a covered agency in a manner described under paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a), the head of such covered agency shall reverse the covered activity, including by—
- reinstating any laid-off staff; and
- reopening shuttered regional field offices.
- If an Inspector General determines under the study required by subsection (b) that carrying out a covered activity effected the provision of services or benefits by a covered agency in a manner described under paragraphs (1) through (3) of subsection (a), the head of such covered agency shall reverse the covered activity, including by—
- (e) Definitions
- In this Act:
- The term means—
covered activity - The term means the following:
covered agency - The term means—
Inspector General concerned
- The term means—
- In this Act:
- (f) Effective date
- This section shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date of the enactment of this Act.