WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 1156 · 119th Congress

Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act

Passed HouseLabor and Employment
IntroducedFeb 10, 2025
Passed HouseMar 11, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Mar 13, 2025: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 29. The House passed it 295–127. From Iowa: Randy Feenstra cosponsors it. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 3 sections of existing law and would add 1 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 1156 would change 3 sections of existing law, and would create 1 new provision of its own. Read from the bill text as placed on the Senate calendar (Mar 13, 2025).

15 U.S.C. 9021 Pandemic unemployment assistance

  • (h) Relationship between pandemic unemployment assistance and disaster unemployment assistance moved to (i) · Sec. 2(a) · see the words
  • (h) new · Sec. 2(a) · see the words
  • (i) Relationship between pandemic unemployment assistance and disaster unemployment assistance (formerly (h)) renumbered · Sec. 2(a)

15 U.S.C. 9023 Emergency increase in unemployment compensation benefits

  • (f) Fraud and overpayments added to · Sec. 2(b) · see the words

15 U.S.C. 9025 Pandemic emergency unemployment compensation

  • (e) Fraud and overpayments added to · Sec. 2(c) · see the words

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 3 Budget offset
What the words would change: every change, in place (4)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 15 U.S.C. 9021renumberedby H.R. 1156 Sec. 2(a)

    The bill says: by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (i); and

    Bill text · Current law (15 U.S.C. 9021)

  2. 15 U.S.C. 9021added (h)by H.R. 1156 Sec. 2(a)

    (h) Statute of Limitations.—(1) In general.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to paragraph (2), any criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action for a violation of, or conspiracy to violate, section 371, 641, 1028A, 1029, 1341, 1343, 1344, 1349, 1956, or 1957 of title 18, United States Code, or section 3729 or 3801 of title 31, United States Code, with respect to any unemployment compensation claim funded in whole or in part by pandemic unemployment assistance under this section shall be brought not later than 10 years after the date of the violation or conspiracy.(2) Exception.— Paragraph (1) shall not apply with respect to a criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action if the statute of limitations applicable to such criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action expired prior to the date of enactment of the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act.

    The bill says: by inserting after subsection (g) the following new subsection:

    Bill text · Current law (15 U.S.C. 9021)

  3. 15 U.S.C. 9023(f)added (5)by H.R. 1156 Sec. 2(b)

    (5) Statute of Limitations.—(A) In general.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subparagraph (B), any criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action for a violation of, or conspiracy to violate, section 371, 641, 1028A, 1029, 1341, 1343, 1344, 1349, 1956, or 1957 of title 18, United States Code, or section 3729 or 3801 of title 31, United States Code, with respect to any unemployment compensation claim funded in whole or in part by Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation or Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation under this section shall be brought not later than 10 years after the date of the violation or conspiracy.(B) Exception.— Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to a criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action if the statute of limitations applicable to such criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action expired prior to the date of enactment of the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act.

    The bill says: Section 2104(f) of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9023(f)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

    Bill text · Current law (15 U.S.C. 9023)

  4. 15 U.S.C. 9025(e)added (5)by H.R. 1156 Sec. 2(c)

    (5) Statute of Limitations.—(A) In general.— Notwithstanding any other provision of law and subject to subparagraph (B), any criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action for a violation of, or conspiracy to violate, section 371, 641, 1028A, 1029, 1341, 1343, 1344, 1349, 1956, or 1957 of title 18, United States Code, or section 3729 or 3801 of title 31, United States Code, with respect to any unemployment compensation claim funded in whole or in part by Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation under this section shall be brought not later than 10 years after the date of the violation or conspiracy.(B) Exception.— Subparagraph (A) shall not apply with respect to a criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action if the statute of limitations applicable to such criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action expired prior to the date of enactment of the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act.

    The bill says: Section 2107(e) of the CARES Act (15 U.S.C. 9025(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following new paragraph:

    Bill text · Current law (15 U.S.C. 9025)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act

This bill extends from 5 to 10 years the statute of limitations for federal criminal charges or civil enforcement actions for fraud related to several unemployment insurance programs that were established during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The extension applies to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. The bill extends the statute of limitations for (1) criminal charges related to fraud, including aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud; and (2) civil actions involving false claims. However, the bill does not apply to a criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action if the applicable statute of limitations expired before the date of the bill's enactment.

Additionally, the bill rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the Department of Labor for anti-fraud and program integrity activities.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Feb 10, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Mar 13, 2025Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 29.Senate
  2. Mar 12, 2025Received in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.Senate
  3. Mar 11, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  4. Mar 11, 2025On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 295 - 127 (Roll no. 68). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1093-1094) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  5. Mar 11, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 295 - 127 (Roll no. 68). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1093-1094) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  6. Mar 11, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1124)House floor actions
  7. Mar 11, 2025POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on H.R. 1156, the Chair put the question on passage of the bill and by voice vote announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Davis (IL) demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings until a time to be announced.House floor actions
  8. Mar 11, 2025The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.House floor actions
  9. Mar 11, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1156.House floor actions
  10. Mar 11, 2025Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 25, H.R. 1156 and H.R. 1968. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 25, H.R. 1156, and H.R. 1968 under a closed rule. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each measure.House floor actions
  11. Mar 11, 2025Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 211. (consideration: CR H1093-1099)House floor actions
  12. Mar 11, 2025Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 211 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 25, H.R. 1156 and H.R. 1968. The resolution provides for consideration of H.J. Res. 25, H.R. 1156, and H.R. 1968 under a closed rule. Also, the resolution provides for one hour of general debate and one motion to recommit on each measure.House floor actions
  13. Feb 25, 2025Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 2.House floor actions
  14. Feb 25, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-6.House floor actions
  15. Feb 25, 2025Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-6.Library of Congress
  16. Feb 12, 2025Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 18.House committee actions
  17. Feb 12, 2025Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session HeldHouse committee actions
  18. Feb 10, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.House floor actions
  19. Feb 10, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  20. Feb 10, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Mar 11, 2025 · HousePassed 295–127
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Passage · needed a majority
    R 212 yes, 0 noD 83 yes, 127 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

From Iowa

Everyone else (24)

  • Jodey C. Arrington R-TX-19
  • Aaron Bean R-FL-4
  • Vern Buchanan R-FL-16
  • Mike Carey R-OH-15
  • Ron Estes R-KS-4
  • Michelle Fischbach R-MN-7
  • Brian K. Fitzpatrick R-PA-1
  • Kevin Hern R-OK-1
  • Mike Kelly R-PA-16
  • David Kustoff R-TN-8
  • Darin LaHood R-IL-16
  • Nicole Malliotakis R-NY-11
Show 12 more cosponsors
  • Carol D. Miller R-WV-1
  • Max L. Miller R-OH-7
  • Blake D. Moore R-UT-1
  • Nathaniel Moran R-TX-1
  • Gregory F. Murphy R-NC-3
  • David Schweikert R-AZ-1
  • Adrian Smith R-NE-3
  • Lloyd Smucker R-PA-11
  • W. Gregory Steube R-FL-17
  • Claudia Tenney R-NY-24
  • Beth Van Duyne R-TX-24
  • Rudy Yakym III R-IN-2