Congress·In Committee·S. 3643
Special Inspector General for Program Fraud Act
Congress proposes new fraud watchdog for child assistance programs, with public reports and subpoena power
Legislative Progress
Senate
Key Points
- Creates a new independent watchdog office focused on waste, fraud, and abuse in federally funded child help programs like child care and child nutrition.
- Trump would appoint the Special Inspector General (with Senate approval) within 30 days after the bill becomes law, and the office can run audits, investigations, and issue subpoenas.
- The watchdog must publish public quarterly reports listing how money was spent, including major contracts and grants, while protecting info barred by law or tied to active criminal cases.
- Federal agencies would have to share information and provide workspace and support; refusals to cooperate must be reported to agency leaders and Congress.
- Funds the watchdog office at $10 million per year for 2026 and 2027, and the office would end on September 30, 2027, after a final report.
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
How this policy affects specific groups of people
Negative Impacts(1)
Mixed Impacts(4)
Milestones
2 milestones2 actions
Jan 14, 2026
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Sent to a congressional committee for expert review. The committee decides whether this bill moves forward.
Jan 14, 2026
Introduced in Senate
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Special Inspector General for Program Fraud Act
Bill NumberS 3643
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionRead twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.