Bill would force, not just allow, cutoffs for repeat child care fraud
Passed one chamberH.R. 7726Latest action
Sponsor: Mary E. Miller · Representative · IL
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026
119th Congress
Topics: Family & community
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The bill changes "may" to "shall," requiring HHS to withhold child care funds from repeatedly noncompliant states.
40-second read · 4 questions answered below
What does this do?
The Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026 amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 by changing one word, "may" to "shall," in the provision on withholding federal funds from noncompliant states. This removes the Secretary of Health and Human Services' discretion, making funding withdrawal mandatory when a state repeatedly violates program rules, such as failing to prevent fraud.
Who does it affect?
State governments that administer federally funded child care assistance programs are directly affected, along with families and child care providers who rely on that state funding.
Why does it matter?
States found repeatedly noncompliant, especially on fraud prevention, would automatically lose federal funding rather than facing a discretionary decision, which could disrupt child care programs if underlying problems aren't fixed.
AI-drafted summary. Check it against the official text before you act on it.
Read the official bill on Congress.govMake the call
Where does it stand?
- IntroducedFeb 26, 2026
- House committee
- House vote
- SenateYou are here · Jun 4, 2026
- The president's desk
Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Recorded votes
Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.
House · · Roll call 198
As recorded
- Question
- On Passage
- Result:
- Passed
- 217
- Nay
- 207
- 0
- 6
Republicans 212 yes, 5 not voting · Democrats 4 yes, 207 no, 1 not voting · Independent 1 yes
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record
House · · Roll call 197
As recorded
- Question
- On
- Result:
- Failed
- 210
- Nay
- 213
- 0
- 7
Republicans 212 no, 5 not voting · Democrats 210 yes, 2 not voting · Independent 1 no
Official recordHow members voted
The official record lists how each member voted.Official record