House · HR 2978 · 119th Congress
GUARD Act
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Summary
The GUARD Act lets state, local, and tribal police use certain federal grant money to fight financial fraud, elder financial fraud, and pig butchering scams. It also lets federal law enforcement help local agencies use blockchain tracking tools. The bill requires federal agencies to report to Congress on the scale of scams in the United States.
In Favor
Older Americans lose billions of dollars each year to financial scams and fraud. This bill gives local police the funding and tools they need to fight these crimes. Allowing federal agents to share blockchain tracking tools with local officers helps catch scammers who hide money in cryptocurrency.
Against
Local police agencies that use these grants must file detailed reports within one year of spending the funds. That reporting requirement adds paperwork and staff time that smaller departments may struggle to handle. The bill also does not add new money, so agencies must stretch existing grant funds across more types of investigations.
Additional Considerations
Purpose & Problem
Is the problem real and worth federal action?
The bill lets state, local, and tribal police use certain federal grant money to investigate financial scams targeting elderly people, cryptocurrency fraud, and general financial crimes.
Scope & Related Provisions
Does it stay focused, or carry unrelated add-ons?
The bill stays focused on financial fraud investigations. It also requires several federal reports on scam trends and enforcement actions, which are directly related to the core purpose.
Who Is Affected
Who benefits, and who bears the cost?
State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies gain new ways to spend existing grant funds. Federal agencies face new duties to produce reports and may assist local agencies with blockchain tracing tools.
Cost & Funding
Is it affordable and responsibly funded?
The bill does not create new funding or set new dollar amounts. It redirects spending within existing federal grant programs already available to law enforcement agencies.
Risks & Implementation
What could go wrong in practice?
Agencies must file progress reports within one year of using the funds, which adds a new tracking requirement. Local agencies with limited staff may find the reporting and coordination duties difficult to meet.
For the actual bill text, see congress.gov.
AI-generated · Published 9/16/2026