Sponsors (2)
The bill strengthens enforcement against using public benefit funds for remittances by requiring signed declarations and harsh penalties—potentially preserving more dollars for households and giving agencies a clear tool, but risking severe financial harm to low-income recipients, reduced program access (especially among immigrants), legal conflicts, and added administrative burdens.
Low-income recipients of covered public assistance retain more benefit dollars for local household needs because the bill discourages using benefit funds to send remittances.
Federal and state benefit administrators get a clear compliance mechanism (a signed declaration) to enforce restrictions on benefit use, which could reduce improper use of funds.
Low-income beneficiaries who send a remittance after signing the declaration face a civil fine up to $100,000, exposing them to catastrophic financial harm.
Immigrants and other eligible people may be deterred from applying for or continuing benefits out of fear of the declaration and severe penalty, reducing access to assistance.
Ordinary remittance behavior by benefit recipients could be effectively criminalized, conflicting with consumer payment protections and freedom to use bank services.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires applicants for covered federal public assistance to sign a sworn promise not to send remittance transfers while receiving benefits and fines violators up to $100,000.
Official title: Prohibit individuals receiving public assistance from conducting remittance transfers.
Introduced January 29, 2026 by Bernardo Moreno · Last progress January 29, 2026
Requires applicants for federal public assistance benefits to sign a sworn declaration that they will not send remittance transfers (money transfers abroad) while receiving those benefits, and imposes a civil penalty of up to $100,000 if someone signs the declaration and later makes a remittance transfer during the period they receive benefits; the rule applies to benefits paid more than 30 days after the law is enacted.