Improper Payments Transparency Act

# Improper Payments Transparency Act (HR 1771) Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would require the President to include detailed information about "improper payments" in the annual federal budget. Improper payments are funds that shouldn't have been distributed or were given in the wrong amount—such as overpayments or underpayments to Social Security recipients, Medicare providers, or other federal programs. The bill mandates that the budget explain why these payment errors happened, identify trends in the errors, and outline what agencies plan to do to fix the problem. **Who It Affects** The bill impacts federal agencies that distribute large amounts of money to the public, including Social Security, Medicare, Veterans Affairs, and other benefit programs.

It would also affect Congress and the public, as the increased transparency would make it easier for lawmakers and citizens to understand how much taxpayer money is being lost to payment errors and which agencies have the biggest problems. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but not yet voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill was sponsored by Representative Rudy Yakym (R-Indiana).