House · HR 10326 · 119th Congress
PROOF Act
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Summary
The PROOF Act requires states to share records with the Justice Department when asked, so federal officials can investigate fraud in programs like Medicaid, food stamps, and pandemic relief funds. States must hand over identity records, payment logs, and other data tied to active fraud cases. The law also requires the Justice Department to report yearly to Congress on its use of these new powers.
In Favor
Billions of dollars were stolen from pandemic relief and safety-net programs in recent years. This bill gives federal investigators a clear legal path to get the records they need from states. Catching and prosecuting that fraud protects taxpayers and keeps money flowing to people who truly need help.
Against
This bill lets the Justice Department demand sensitive personal records from states with few limits on what qualifies as a fraud investigation. States lose control over private data about their residents, including health and income records. The bill also lets the Attorney General add any program to the list, giving the federal government broad and open-ended reach.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
This bill lets the Justice Department request records from states to investigate fraud in federally funded programs. It targets fraud in programs like Medicaid, food assistance, and pandemic relief funds.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The provisions stay tied to the core purpose of detecting and prosecuting fraud in federal programs given to states. The Attorney General can also add programs not listed if they appear vulnerable to fraud.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
States must collect and share records with federal investigators when asked. Federal agencies gain new access to state data, and individuals under investigation may have their records reviewed.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not authorize or appropriate a specific dollar amount. It shifts costs onto the Justice Department to build secure data systems and onto states to respond to information requests.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
States must transfer sensitive personal data to federal systems, which requires meeting the bill's encryption and security rules. The bill also requires the Justice Department to destroy records after cases close, which demands careful tracking across many investigations.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 9/17/2026