WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 2978 · 119th Congress

GUARD Act

Passed HouseDrafted by AI, awaiting reviewCrime and Law Enforcement
IntroducedApr 21, 2025
Passed HouseSep 15, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Sep 16, 2026: Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 627. The House passed it 414–7. From Iowa: Zachary Nunn sponsors it; Ashley Hinson cosponsors it. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 0 sections of existing law and would add 6 new provisions of its own.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 2978 doesn't change any existing section of law. It would create 6 new provisions of its own. Read from the bill text as placed on the Senate calendar (Sep 16, 2026).

New provisions of the bill's own

  • Sec. 2 Definitions
  • Sec. 3 Federal grants used for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud
  • Sec. 4 Report on general financial fraud, pig butchering, and elder financial fraud
  • Sec. 5 Report on the state of scams in the United States
  • Sec. 6 Report to Congress
  • Sec. 7 Federal law enforcement agencies assisting State, local, and Tribal law enforcement and fusion centers
What the words would change: every change, in place (0)

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.

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

    Bill text used: Engrossed in House: the text the House passed (September 15, 2026) · updated Oct 28, 2026

    This breakdown was drafted by AI from the official documents and passed our automatic checks: every quoted word was found in its source, and every number comes from an official record. A person must review it before we mark it reviewed. Tap any small number to see the exact words a sentence rests on.

    At a glance

    Sourced
    • Local police and sheriffs could use certain federal grants to investigate scams against seniors, crypto investment scams and other financial fraud.
      3State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and grantees that receive eligible Federal grant funds may use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)
    • They could hire analysts, get training and buy software to track stolen money.
      3hiring and retaining analysts, agents, experts, and other personnel[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1)providing training specific to complex financial investigations[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(2)obtaining software and technical tools to conduct financial fraud and exploitation investigations[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(3)
    • Federal agents could help them trace money moved through crypto.
      3Federal law enforcement agencies may assist State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and fusion centers in the use of tracing tools for blockchain and related technology tools[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 7
    • Rep. Zach Nunn of Iowa wrote it. The House passed it 414 to 7 on September 15, 2026. The Senate has not voted.
      1Sponsor: Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3][1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Sponsor2026-09-15 21:57:55 | House floor actions | On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 7 (Roll no. 301).[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, September 15, 20262026-09-16 | Senate | Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 627.[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, September 16, 2026

    What it would mean for you

    Sourced

    If you or a parent could be targeted by a scam

    Local police get more tools to chase scammers

    • The bill covers fraud against older people and people with disabilities.
      3the illegal or improper use of the money, property, or other resources of an elderly individual or adult with a disability[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(1)
    • It also covers pig butchering: a scam where someone builds trust, then talks you into a fake crypto investment and disappears.
      3a confidence and investment fraud in which the victim is gradually lured into making increasing monetary contributions, generally in the form of cryptocurrency, to a seemingly sound investment before the scammer disappears[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(4)
    • Grant money could also pay for training on helping victims.
      3assisting victims of financial fraud and exploitation[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(2)(B)

    If you work at a bank or credit union

    Closer ties with local police

    • Police could name a contact person for banks and hold joint practice drills to stop scams.
      3designating a financial sector liaison to serve as a point of contact for financial institutions[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(6)supporting training and tabletop exercises to enhance coordination and communication between financial institutions and State, local, Tribal, and Federal law enforcement agencies[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(5)

    If you live in Iowa

    Your representative wrote it after hearing from Iowa sheriffs

    What this bill does not do

    Sourced
    • It does not create a new grant program. It lets existing ones be used for fraud cases.
      3State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and grantees that receive eligible Federal grant funds may use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)The term eligible Federal grant funds means funds received under any of the following:[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(2)
    • It does not change criminal penalties for fraud.
      3State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and grantees that receive eligible Federal grant funds may use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)Federal law enforcement agencies may assist State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and fusion centers in the use of tracing tools for blockchain and related technology tools[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 7
    • It is not law. The Senate has not voted on it.
      12026-09-16 | Senate | Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 627.[1] Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Actions, September 16, 2026

    Current law vs. the bill

    Sourced

    Every place the bill changes existing law. On the left, the law as it stands today, quoted from the U.S. Code. On the right, the bill's words.

    This bill does not change any existing section of law.

    What the bill decides, and what it leaves to others

    Sourced

    Written into the bill

    These take effect exactly as written.

    • The list of grant programs that can be used is written into the bill.
      3The term eligible Federal grant funds means funds received under any of the following:[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(2)
    • Local agencies must report within 1 year of using the money.
      3not later than 1 year after making such use of the funds, submit to the Federal agency that provided the eligible Federal grant funds, a report[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(b)
    • Treasury's first report is due within a year, and scam-trend reports every 2 years.
      3No later than a year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 4Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and two years thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, shall submit a report to Congress on the state of financial fraud[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 5

    Left to agencies or states

    The real effect depends on rules someone else writes later.

    • The Justice Department and other grant agencies decide which applications to fund.
      3,5The term eligible Federal grant funds means funds received under any of the following:[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(2)H.R. 2978 would expand existing grant programs and allow state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies to use grants from the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate financial fraud and scams[5] H. Rept. 119-709, Part I (Financial Services) · CBO cost estimate
    • Each police agency decides how to spend the money within the listed uses.
      3State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and grantees that receive eligible Federal grant funds may use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)

    Section by section

    Sourced
    Read all 7 sections in plain words
    Sec. 1 Short title
    Names the bill the GUARD Act of 2026.
    3This Act may be cited as the Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception Act of 2026 or the GUARD Act of 2026.[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 1
    Sec. 2 Definitions
    Defines elder financial fraud, pig butchering and scams.
    3the illegal or improper use of the money, property, or other resources of an elderly individual or adult with a disability[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(1)a confidence and investment fraud in which the victim is gradually lured into making increasing monetary contributions, generally in the form of cryptocurrency, to a seemingly sound investment before the scammer disappears[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(4)
     Lists the grants that count, including a Violence Against Women Act cybercrime grant and the COPS technology program.
    3The term eligible Federal grant funds means funds received under any of the following:[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(2)Section 1401 of the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 (34 U.S.C. 30107) to a local law enforcement agency for enforcement of cybercrimes against individuals[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(2)(C)commonly known as the COPS Technology and Equipment Program[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(2)(D)
    Sec. 3 Using grants for fraud cases
    Agencies with these grants may use them to investigate fraud: staff, training, software, data and a bank liaison.
    3State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and grantees that receive eligible Federal grant funds may use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)hiring and retaining analysts, agents, experts, and other personnel[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(1)providing training specific to complex financial investigations[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(2)obtaining software and technical tools to conduct financial fraud and exploitation investigations[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(3)designating a financial sector liaison to serve as a point of contact for financial institutions[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)(6)
     Within 1 year of using the money, they must report what they spent and how fraud changed.
    3not later than 1 year after making such use of the funds, submit to the Federal agency that provided the eligible Federal grant funds, a report[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(b)statistics with respect to elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud in the jurisdiction of the law enforcement agency[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(b)(2)
    Sec. 4 Treasury report on efforts
    Within a year, the Treasury's anti-money-laundering office must report to Congress on fighting these scams, with ideas for new laws.
    3No later than a year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 4including an evaluation of, and any legislative recommendations to improve, the efficacy of the efforts[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 4
    Sec. 5 Report on the state of scams
    Every 2 years, the same office reports on scam trends, the role of crypto and how much money was recovered.
    3Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, and two years thereafter, the Secretary of the Treasury, acting through the Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, shall submit a report to Congress on the state of financial fraud[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 5the role of digital assets in the reports[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 5(2)(D)the aggregate dollar amount of funds successfully interdicted or recovered[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 5(3)(C)
    Sec. 6 Yearly report to Congress
    Agencies that give out the grants report each year to the banking, financial services and judiciary committees of Congress.
    3shall issue an annual report to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate, the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 6
    Sec. 7 Federal help with crypto tracing
    Federal agents may help local police and fusion centers use crypto tracing tools.
    3Federal law enforcement agencies may assist State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and fusion centers in the use of tracing tools for blockchain and related technology tools[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 7

    What changed between versions

    Sourced
    1 step, from first draft to final text

    From the House bill as introduced to the House-passed text

    • The committee version named each grant program by its law instead of by program name, and also covers grantees, not just police agencies.
      3,4The term eligible Federal grant funds means funds received under any of the following:[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 2(2)State, local, and Tribal law enforcement agencies and grantees that receive eligible Federal grant funds may use such funds for investigating elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and general financial fraud[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 3(a)The Department of Justice Economic, High-Technology, White Collar, and Internet Crime Prevention National Training and Technical Assistance Program.[4] Introduced in House (April 21, 2025) · Sec. 2(2)(A)
    • It replaced a long list of scam statistics Treasury had to estimate with a report based on what Treasury already collects.
      3,5relies on information reported to or otherwise available to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network[3] Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Sec. 5(1)which revised reporting requirements and made minor edits and technical changes[5] H. Rept. 119-709, Part I (Financial Services) · Committee Consideration

    Cost

    Sourced
    • The Congressional Budget Office expected about 210 agencies to get grants of about $225,000 each.
      5CBO expects that about 210 law enforcement agencies would receive grants under the bill and that each grant would cost about $225,000, on average[5] H. Rept. 119-709, Part I (Financial Services) · CBO cost estimate
    • It estimated a cost of $128 million over 2026 to 2031, if Congress provides the money.
      5CBO estimates that implementing H.R. 2978 would cost $128 million over the 2026-2031 period, assuming appropriation of the necessary amounts[5] H. Rept. 119-709, Part I (Financial Services) · CBO cost estimate
    • The reports would cost less than $500,000.
      5the bill's reporting requirements would cost FinCEN and DOJ less than $500,000 over that same period[5] H. Rept. 119-709, Part I (Financial Services) · CBO cost estimate

    Analysis

    Analysis

    Every bill gets the same five questions. Arguments are attributed to the people who made them, and each side gets about the same space.

    Path to law

    Balance of power

    Coalitions

    Precedent

    • Scams like pig butchering have grown fast in the last few years, the committee said.
      5Investment scams targeting Americans, particularly pig butchering schemes, have seen a significant rise in the last several years.[5] H. Rept. 119-709, Part I (Financial Services) · Background

    The strongest case on each side

    For

    • Iowa families lost $96 million to these frauds last year, and local police hit a wall once money crosses state lines.
      7In Iowa alone last year, families lost $96 million to these types of frauds[7] Congressional Record, House, September 14, 2026 (H5602-H5605) · H5604, Rep. NunnThe moment that their money crosses a State line or an ocean, they hit a wall that only the Federal Government can help them climb.[7] Congressional Record, House, September 14, 2026 (H5602-H5605) · H5604, Rep. Nunn
      Rep. Zach Nunn (R-IA), sponsor
    • Crypto is used in so many scams, and federal help gives the best chance to catch scammers.
      7blockchain technology, cryptocurrency, is so often used in scams, and it is the Federal Government that has the best chance--and it is only a chance--of using technology to defeat the scams[7] Congressional Record, House, September 14, 2026 (H5602-H5605) · H5603, Rep. Sherman
      Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA)

    Against

    Did this make sense?

    Sourced

    Three quick questions. Your answers are anonymous and tell us which breakdowns need clearer writing.

    1. What does the GUARD Act let local police do?
    2. What is pig butchering?
    3. Where does the bill stand?

    How this was checked

    Sourced
    3 checks
    • Automatic: every quote matched its source; every number matched an official record.
    • H. Rept. 119-709, Part I (Financial Services): CBO's estimate is quoted from the report, which reprints it. Note CBO calls these new grants ('expand existing grant programs'), which fits Rep. Sherman's concern about what the grant language means.
    • House debate: Only supporters spoke; Rep. Sherman's concern is quoted as he stated it.

    Spot an error? See our corrections log and how to report one

    Sources

    Sourced
    All 7 sources
    1. Official bill status record (actions, votes, cosponsors) · Official bill record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    2. Placed on Calendar Senate (September 16, 2026) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    3. Engrossed in House (September 15, 2026) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    4. Introduced in House (April 21, 2025) · Bill text · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    5. H. Rept. 119-709, Part I (Financial Services) · Committee report · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    6. House roll call 301 (September 16, 2026) · Roll call vote · retrieved Oct 28, 2026
    7. Congressional Record, House, September 14, 2026 (H5602-H5605) · Congressional Record · retrieved Oct 28, 2026

    Official summary

    Sourced

    Guarding Unprotected Aging Retirees from Deception Act of 2026 or the GUARD Act of 2026

    This bill allows state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies and grantees that receive funds from certain law enforcement grant programs to use the funds to investigate general financial fraud, elder financial fraud, and pig butchering. Pig butchering refers to a confidence and investment fraud in which a victim is gradually lured into transferring increasing amounts of money, generally in the form of cryptocurrency, into a fake virtual investment.

    The bill allows federal law enforcement agencies to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies and fusion centers in the use of tracing tools for blockchain and related technology tools.

    Finally, the bill requires the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to report on efforts to combat general financial fraud, elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and scams, including an evaluation of any legislative recommendations to improve the efforts. The bill also requires FinCEN to report on the state of general financial fraud, elder financial fraud, pig butchering, and scams in the United States, including trends in the crimes.

    Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Reported to House, Jun 24, 2026).

    What has happened

    Sourced
    1. Sep 15, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 414 - 7 (Roll no. 301). (text: CR H5602-5603) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
    2. Jun 24, 2026Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Financial Services. H. Rept. 119-709, Part I.Library of Congress
    3. Apr 21, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

    Show all 17 recorded actions

    Recorded votes

    Sourced
    1. Sep 15, 2026 · HousePassed 414–7
      Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
      On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · needed two-thirds
      R 203 yes, 7 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 210 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

    Cosponsors

    From Iowa

    Everyone else (53)

    • Gabe Amo D-RI-1
    • Andy Barr R-KY-6
    • Julia Brownley D-CA-26
    • Ken Calvert R-CA-41
    • Sean Casten D-IL-6
    • Angie Craig D-MN-2
    • Monica De La Cruz R-TX-15
    • Troy Downing R-MT-2
    • Gabe Evans R-CO-8
    • Julie Fedorchak R-ND-At Large
    • Scott Fitzgerald R-WI-5
    • Laura Gillen D-NY-4
    Show 41 more cosponsors
    • Maggie Goodlander D-NH-2
    • Josh Gottheimer D-NJ-5
    • Glenn Grothman R-WI-6
    • Brett Guthrie R-KY-2
    • Josh Harder D-CA-9
    • Jahana Hayes D-CT-5
    • Glenn Ivey D-MD-4
    • Julie Johnson D-TX-32
    • Timothy M. Kennedy D-NY-26
    • Jennifer A. Kiggans R-VA-2
    • Young Kim R-CA-40
    • George Latimer D-NY-16
    • Michael Lawler R-NY-17
    • Susie Lee D-NV-3
    • Tracey Mann R-KS-1
    • John W. Mannion D-NY-22
    • Sarah McBride D-DE-At Large
    • Daniel Meuser R-PA-9
    • Dave Min D-CA-47
    • Barry Moore R-AL-1
    • Tim Moore R-NC-14
    • Troy E. Nehls R-TX-22
    • Burgess Owens R-UT-4
    • Gary J. Palmer R-AL-6
    • August Pfluger R-TX-11
    • Maria Elvira Salazar R-FL-27
    • Derek Schmidt R-KS-2
    • Jefferson Shreve R-IN-6
    • Adam Smith D-WA-9
    • Eric Sorensen D-IL-17
    • Marlin A. Stutzman R-IN-3
    • Suhas Subramanyam D-VA-10
    • Thomas R. Suozzi D-NY-3
    • Thomas P. Tiffany R-WI-7
    • Derek Tran D-CA-45
    • David G. Valadao R-CA-22
    • Jefferson Van Drew R-NJ-2
    • Gabe Vasquez D-NM-2
    • George Whitesides D-CA-27
    • Roger Williams R-TX-25
    • Robert J. Wittman R-VA-1