Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB10399

Caption

To amend the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to direct the President to end financial assistance for funeral expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact

If enacted, this bill would fundamentally alter the current system of financial aid for funeral expenses associated with COVID-19 deaths. It would modify Section 4006 of the existing legislation, removing the provision that allows federal financial assistance for these specific funeral costs under an emergency declaration. This change could leave many families who have lost loved ones during the pandemic without the financial support that was previously available, raising concerns about the financial burden on grieving families.

Summary

House Bill 10399 proposes to amend the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 by directing the President to terminate financial assistance for funeral expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill specifically targets the funding mechanism established under the emergency declaration made for COVID-19, indicating a significant shift in federal funding priorities regarding pandemic-related financial support. The intent behind this legislative move appears to be a reconsideration of how resources are allocated in the wake of the pandemic's challenges.

Contention

The discussions surrounding HB10399 may likely reflect concerns from both supporters and detractors. Proponents argue that the cessation of this financial assistance might be a necessary step towards fiscal responsibility, especially as the government evaluates its spending after the pandemic. However, opponents are likely to raise ethical concerns about the impact on families who have suffered losses during the pandemic, arguing that such a measure could exacerbate the financial difficulties faced by these families during an already devastating time.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB10425

To amend and reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Older Americans Act of 1965.

US HB486

Young Americans Financial Literacy Act

US HB174

Consequences for Social Security Fraud ActThis bill adds additional criminal offences to the grounds upon which a non-U.S. national (alien under federal law) may be barred from admission into the United States or deported. Specifically, an individual who has been convicted of, or admits to committing, Social Security fraud, identification document fraud, or fraud related to COVID-19 financial assistance programs is inadmissible or deportable under the bill.

US SR119

A resolution memorializing those lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.

US HB316

Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act of 2025This bill establishes Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding sources for unmet needs caused by major disasters, expands FEMA’s assistance for housing and home repair, and requires certain considerations in FEMA’s recommendations on presidential emergency/disaster declarations.The bill establishes the National Disaster Recovery Reserve Fund for FEMA to provide grants to states and Indian tribal governments for unmet need. The bill defines unmet need as any necessary expense for activities related to a declared major disaster, including disaster relief or resilience activities. In addition, the bill authorizes FEMA to set aside funding from the Disaster Relief Fund to provide grants to states and Indian tribal governments for unmet needs resulting from a declared disaster, including home repair, economic recovery measures, and other services assisting disaster victims. Also, the bill makes the following changes regarding housing assistance:authorizes FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) to provide home repair assistance directly to homeowners when there is a lack of available housing resources, expands IHP home repair assistance for persons with disabilities, extends the maximum duration of IHP’s direct housing assistance from 18 to 24 months,authorizes IHP permanent housing construction where FEMA considers it a cost-effective alternative, and authorizes minor home repairs in the essential assistance federal agencies may provide following a disaster. Additionally, the bill requires FEMA to give greater weight to local impacts, and events over the past five years, when making recommendations to the President regarding emergency or major disaster declarations.

US SB5515

A bill to amend the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to establish a pilot program for the construction of temporary disaster assistance housing, and for other purposes.

US SB1489

National Task Force on the COVID-19 Pandemic Act

US HR9

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that China is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic and must be held financially liable for $16,000,000,000,000.

US SB5551

A bill to extend the statute of limitations for offenses relating to pandemic-era programs to be 10 years.

US HB1156

Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement ActThis bill extends from 5 to 10 years the statute of limitations for federal criminal charges or civil enforcement actions for fraud related to several unemployment insurance programs that were established during the COVID-19 pandemic.  The extension applies to Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. The bill extends the statute of limitations for (1) criminal charges related to fraud, including aggravated identity theft, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit fraud; and (2) civil actions involving false claims. However, the bill does not apply to a criminal prosecution or civil enforcement action if the applicable statute of limitations expired before the date of the bill's enactment.Additionally, the bill rescinds specified unobligated funds that were provided in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the Department of Labor for anti-fraud and program integrity activities.  

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.