[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 96 (Monday, June 8, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H3925-H3928]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1450
ZEROING OUT MONETARY BENEFITS IMPROPERLY EXPENDED ACT
Mr. GILL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 8467) to reform the Payment Integrity Information Act of
2019 to ensure executive agencies focus on fraud prevention, and for
other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 8467
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Zeroing Out Monetary
Benefits Improperly Expended Act'' or the ``ZOMBIE Act''.
SEC. 2. REFORMS TO PAYMENT INTEGRITY INFORMATION ACT OF 2019.
(a) Definitions.--Section 3351 of title 31, United States
Code, is amended--
(1) in paragraph (2)--
(A) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) in clause (i)--
(I) by inserting ``information on'' before ``improper
payments'';
(II) by striking ``information with'' and inserting
``resulting in financial loss to the Government in the
accompanying materials to''; and
(III) by striking ``and'' at the end; and
(ii) by inserting after clause (ii) the following new
clause:
``(iii) published information on improper payments
resulting in financial loss to the Government with the annual
budget justification of the executive agency for the most
recent fiscal year;'';
(B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as clauses
(iv) and (v), respectively (and adjusting the margins
accordingly);
(C) by redesignating subparagraphs (D) through (F) as
subparagraphs (B) through (D), respectively;
(D) in subparagraph (A)(iv), as so redesignated--
(i) by striking ``if required, has''; and
(ii) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;
(E) in subparagraph (A)(v), as so redesignated, by striking
``if required, publishes'' and inserting ``published'';
(F) by striking subparagraph (B), as so redesignated; and
(G) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D), as so
redesignated, as subparagraphs (B) and (C); and
(2) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(9) Financial loss to the government.--The term
`financial loss to the Government'--
``(A) means any payment or part of a payment made in excess
of the correct amount authorized by law that results in a
financial loss to the Federal Government; and
``(B) does not include any payment or part of a payment
made to the correct person or entity for the correct amount
authorized by law but not made in accordance with certain
administrative procedures applicable to the executive agency
(excluding any such procedure necessary to establish
eligibility or to verify that any payment or part of a
payment was made in such correct amount).''.
(b) Estimates of Improper Payments Resulting in Financial
Loss to the Government and Reports on Actions to Reduce Such
Payments.--Section 3352 of title 31, United States Code, is
amended--
[[Page H3926]]
(1) in the heading--
(A) by inserting ``resulting in financial loss to the
Government'' before ``and reports'' (and by conforming the
item relating to such section in the table of sections in
chapter 33); and
(B) by striking ``reduce improper payments'' and inserting
``reduce such payments'' (and by conforming the item relating
to such section in the table of sections in chapter 33);
(2) in subsection (a)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``periodically review
all programs and activities'' and inserting ``submit annually
a list of each program and activity required to be reported
on the Program Inventory under section 1122''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by striking ``all programs and activities'' and
inserting ``each program and activity from each such list'';
and
(II) by striking ``(3)'' and inserting ``(2)'';
(B) by striking paragraph (2);
(C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2); and
(D) in paragraph (2), as so redesignated--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``improper payments
and payments whose propriety cannot be determined'' and
inserting ``improper payments resulting in financial loss to
the Government and payments lacking sufficient documentation
to determine whether the payments result in financial loss to
the Government'';
(ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as
subparagraphs (D) and (E), respectively;
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following new
subparagraphs:
``(B) Development of risk assessment guidance.--Not later
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the
Secretary of the Treasury shall develop risk assessment
guidance to assess the risk of improper payments resulting in
financial loss to the Government that addresses the
following:
``(i) The likelihood of payment errors and the magnitude of
such errors that do not result in financial loss to the
Government.
``(ii) The likelihood of payment errors and the magnitude
of such errors that do result in financial loss to the
Government.
``(iii) A formula for estimating financial loss to the
Government.
``(iv) Relevant governmentwide documents and best practices
for managing improper payments and mitigating fraud risks in
Federal programs, such as the document of the Government
Accountability Office entitled `A Framework for Managing
Fraud Risks in Federal Programs' (or any successor document),
as applicable and appropriate.
``(C) Scope.--In preparing a list under paragraph (1)(A),
the head of each executive agency shall require, within 6
months after issuing the risk assessment guidance, a risk
assessment using the guidance developed under subparagraph
(B) for each program or activity listed under paragraph
(1)(A) for each--
``(i) existing programs or activities prior to the next
disbursement of Federal funds with respect to the program or
activity; and
``(ii) newly authorized programs and activities prior to
any disbursement of Federal funds with respect to the program
or activity.'';
(iv) in subparagraph (D), as so redesignated--
(I) in the heading, by striking ``Scope'' and inserting
``Requirements'';
(II) in the matter preceding clause (i)--
(aa) by striking ``In conducting a review under paragraph
(1), the head of each executive agency shall'' and inserting
``Risk assessments are to be conducted on an ongoing basis,
but no less frequently than once every 3 years, and''; and
(bb) by inserting ``, including with respect to fraud in
any program or activity listed under paragraph (1)(A) that
causes improper payments resulting in financial loss to the
Government'' before ``, such as'';
(III) in clause (x), by striking ``data systems'' and
inserting ``data assets''; and
(IV) in clause (xi)--
(aa) by inserting ``or improper payments'' before ``as
assessed''; and
(bb) by inserting ``, or any successor document'' after
``(commonly known as the `Green Book')''; and
(v) in subparagraph (E), as so redesignated--
(I) in the heading, by striking ``Annual report'' and
inserting ``Reports'';
(II) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking ``Each
executive agency shall publish an annual report'' and
inserting ``Not less than once every 3 years, the head of
each executive agency shall publish a report, which may be
included in a report required under subsection (b)(2)(F) by
such head with respect to a high-priority Federal program or
activity,'';
(III) in clause (i), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a
semicolon;
(IV) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(V) by adding at the end the following new clause:
``(iii) a prioritized listing of risks identified in
subparagraph (D) associated with each program and activity
listed under paragraph (1)(A) and any corresponding financial
and administrative control to mitigate any such risk,
including the use of the Do Not Pay Initiative (or any
successor system) and any other system or data asset
maintained by the Secretary of the Treasury or the Inspector
General of the executive agency to prevent fraud or improper
payments resulting in financial loss to the Government prior
to making an eligibility determination to receive Federal
funds with respect to any such program or activity listed
under paragraph (1)(A), issuing an award, or requesting a
payment.'';
(3) in subsection (b)--
(A) in the heading, by inserting ``That Result in Financial
Loss to the Government'' after ``Improper Payments'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in subparagraph (A)--
(I) by inserting ``and activities'' after ``high-priority
Federal programs''; and
(II) by inserting ``that result in financial loss'' after
``improper payments'' each place it appears; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``associated'' and
inserting ``and financial loss associated''; and
(C) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the heading, by inserting ``that result in financial
loss to the government'' after ``improper payments'';
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``shall on an annual
basis'' and inserting ``, not less frequently than once every
3 years, shall'';
(iii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) in clause (i)--
(aa) in subclause (I)--
(AA) by inserting ``that result in financial loss to the
Government'' after ``improper payments''; and
(BB) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(bb) in subclause (II), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government, including by making it
harder for fraudulent actors to exploit the program'' after
``improper payments''; and
(cc) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
``(III) has taken or plans to take to reduce the percentage
of improper payments that result in financial loss to the
Government;'';
(II) by inserting after clause (i) the following new
clause:
``(ii) shall include--
``(I) an estimate of the total amount of the payments that
result in financial loss to the Government;
``(II) an estimate of the total amount of the payments that
do not result in financial loss to the Government;
``(III) the percentage of payments that result in financial
loss to the Government;
``(IV) an assessment of the portion of the total amount of
payments that result in financial loss to the Government that
are due to fraudulent actions by the recipient of such
payments;
``(V) the total amount of disbursed payments; and
``(VI) a description of resources or legislative changes
proposed to improve or maintain the integrity of the relevant
program or activity; and'';and
(III) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (ii);
(iv) in subparagraph (E)(i)--
(I) in subclause (I)--
(aa) by striking ``improper payment'' and inserting
``improper payments that result in financial loss''; and
(bb) by striking ``; and'' and inserting a semicolon;
(II) in subclause (II), by striking ``improper payments''
and inserting ``improper payments that result in financial
loss''; and
(III) by adding at the end the following new subclause:
``(III) each statistically valid estimate developed under
subsection (c)(1)(A) and make a recommendation to the head of
the executive agency on whether the agency estimate should be
reassessed and reestablished; and'';
(v) by amending subparagraph (F) to read as follows:
``(F) Agency liaison designation and mandatory coordination
meetings.--Not less frequently than once every fiscal year,
the head of each executive agency with a high-priority
Federal program or activity identified under paragraph (1)(B)
shall designate a senior official of the executive agency to
serve as the liaison of the executive agency for work under
this subchapter who shall meet for a non-audit or
investigative purpose with the Director of the Office of
Management and Budget (or a designee of the Director), the
Commissioner of the Bureau of the Fiscal Service of the
Department of the Treasury (or a designee of the
Commissioner), the Inspector General of the executive agency
(or a designee of the Inspector General), and the Pandemic
Response Accountability Committee established under section
15010 of the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136; 134 Stat. 533)
(or any successor organization) to report on any action taken
during the preceding fiscal year and any planned action,
including any reform to any financial or administrative
control, to prevent improper payments (with a focus on
improper payments that lead to financial loss to the
Government) and mitigate fraud in such program or
activity.''; and
(vi) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(G) Federal-state coordination meetings.--Not less
frequently than once every fiscal year, the Director of the
Office of Management and Budget and the Secretary of the
Treasury shall convene a meeting of State officials
responsible for program and payment integrity in programs
administered on behalf of the Federal Government by a State
or local government to review fraud
[[Page H3927]]
prevention performance, share best practices, and identify
ongoing coordination challenges.'';
(4) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the heading, by inserting ``That Result in Financial
Loss to the Government'' after ``Improper Payments'';
(B) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by amending subparagraph (A) to read as follows:
``(A) develop a statistically valid estimate of improper
payments that result in financial loss to the Government;'';
(ii) by striking subparagraph (B); and
(iii) by adding at the end the following new subparagraphs:
``(B) include such estimate in the annual budget
justification of the executive agency; and
``(C) revise such estimate if the head of the executive
agency determines, which may be based on a recommendation
from the Director in consultation with the Secretary of the
Treasury and the Inspector General of the executive agency,
that there is a need to reestablish the estimate of improper
payments that result in financial loss to the Government due
to--
``(i) a significant change, as determined by the agency
head, to the program or activity's appropriation or
authorization;
``(ii) newly establishing the program or activity; or
``(iii) a recommendation from the agency Inspector General
in the annual compliance report issued under section
3353(a).''; and
(C) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``resulting in
financial loss to the Government'' after ``improper
payment''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``improper payments''
before ``estimate'';
(5) in subsection (d)--
(A) in the heading--
(i) by striking ``Reduce'' and inserting ``Reduce and
Prevent''; and
(ii) by inserting ``That Result in Financial Loss to the
Government'' after ``Improper Payments'';
(B) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``that result in financial loss to the
Government'' after ``estimated improper payments''; and
(ii) by striking ``reduce improper payments'' and inserting
``reduce and prevent such payments'';
(C) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government (including actions used to
commit fraud)'' after ``improper payments'';
(D) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting
``that result in financial loss to the Government'' after
``in order to reduce improper payments'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon at the end;
(iii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``and'' after the
semicolon; and
(iv) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(D) access to appropriate records and data assets,
whether maintained by an executive agency, a State or local
government, or a private sector organization;'';
(E) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government'' after ``improper
payments'';
(F) in paragraph (5)--
(i) by inserting ``that result in financial loss to the
Government'' after ``improper payments'' each place it
appears; and
(ii) in subparagraph (B)(ii), by striking ``; and'' and
inserting a semicolon at the end;
(G) by amending paragraph (6) to read as follows:
``(6) a description of how the level of planned or
completed actions by the executive agency to address the
causes of the improper payments that result in financial loss
to the Government matched the level of improper payments that
resulted in financial loss to the Government, including a
breakdown by category of such improper payments and specific
timelines for completion of those actions; and''; and
(H) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:
``(7) information on the progress of the executive agency
with respect to--
``(A) implementing the financial and administrative
controls required to be established under subsection
(a)(2)(E)(iii);
``(B) implementing relevant governmentwide documents and
best practices for managing improper payments and mitigating
fraud risks in Federal programs, such as the document of the
Government Accountability Office entitled `A Framework for
Managing Fraud Risks in Federal Programs' (or any successor
document), as applicable and appropriate, including with
respect to the identification of--
``(i) any dedicated entity that leads the fraud risk
management activity of the executive agency;
``(ii) responsibilities of such entity, including any
program or operation for which the entity is responsible;
``(iii) capacity, including any limitations, to
strategically manage fraud risks;
``(iv) any program or operation within the executive agency
for which there is not a dedicated entity that leads fraud
risk management, along with a detailed justification for not
having such a dedicated entity; and
``(v) the status of implementing the overarching concepts
with associated leading practices identified in such document
entitled `A Framework for Managing Fraud Risks in Federal
Programs' (or any such successor document), as applicable and
appropriate;
``(C) implementing the Office of Management and Budget
Circular A-123, or any successor policy, with respect to
leading practices for managing fraud and improper payments
risk;
``(D) identifying fraud risks and vulnerabilities,
including but not limited to payroll, beneficiary payments,
grants, large contracts, and purchase and travel cards; and
``(E) establishing strategies, procedures, and other steps
to prevent, detect, and respond to fraud.'';
(6) in subsection (e)--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1)--
(i) by inserting ``that result in financial loss to the
Government,'' after ``With respect to improper payments'';
and
(ii) by striking ``the improper payments'' and inserting
``such payments'';
(B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government'' after ``improper
payments''; and
(C) in paragraph (2), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government,'' after ``improper
payments'';
(7) in subsection (f)--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(I) by inserting ``that result in financial loss to the
Government'' after ``regarding improper payments''; and
(II) by inserting ``such'' after ``recover'';
(ii) in subparagraph (B)--
(I) by inserting ``Government'' before ``Reform''; and
(II) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(iii) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new
subparagraphs:
``(C) the Committee on the Budget of the Senate;
``(D) the Committee on the Budget of the House of
Representatives;
``(E) the Committee on Appropriations of the Senate;
``(F) the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives; and''; and
(iv) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (G);
and
(B) in paragraph (2)--
(i) in subparagraph (A), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government'' after ``improper
payments'';
(ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government'' after ``improper
payment'';
(iii) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government'' after ``improper
payments''; and
(iv) in subparagraph (E), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government'' after ``improper
payment'';
(8) in subsection (g)--
(A) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and periodically
thereafter,'' after ``Not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this section,''; and
(B) in paragraph (2)(B), by striking ``prepayment and
postpayment'' and inserting ``pre-award, pre-payment, and
post-payment''; and
(9) in subsection (i)(2)--
(A) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``25'' and inserting
``10''; and
(B) in subparagraph (D), by striking ``25'' and inserting
``75''.
SEC. 3. REFORMS TO ANNUAL COMPLIANCE REPORT BY INSPECTORS
GENERAL OF EXECUTIVE AGENCIES.
(a) OMB Guidance.--Section 3353(a)(3) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``date of enactment of this section'' and
inserting ``date of the enactment of the amendments made to
this section by the `Zeroing Out Monetary Benefits Improperly
Expended Act' or the `ZOMBIE Act' ''; and
(B) by striking ``shall develop and promulgate guidance''
and inserting ``shall revise existing guidance issued under
this section'';
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) by striking ``improper payment estimates methodology''
and inserting ``estimation methodologies''; and
(B) by inserting ``that result in financial loss to the
Government'' after ``improper payments'';
(3) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government'' after ``improper
payments'';
(4) in subparagraph (D), by inserting ``that result in
financial loss to the Government'' after ``improper
payments''; and
(5) in subparagraph (E)--
(A) by striking ``Inspectors General include'' and
inserting ``Inspectors General shall include''; and
(B) by inserting ``that result in financial loss to the
Government'' after ``improper payments''.
(b) CIGIE Guidance.--Section 3353(a)(4) of title 31, United
States Code, is amended--
(1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A)--
(A) by striking ``date of enactment of this section'' and
inserting ``date of the enactment of the amendments made to
this section by the `Zeroing Out Monetary Benefits Improperly
Expended Act' or the `ZOMBIE Act' ''; and
(B) by striking ``develop and promulgate guidance'' and
inserting ``revise existing guidance issued under this
section'';
(2) in subparagraph (B)--
(A) in clause (i)--
(i) by striking ``section 3351(2)(B)'' and inserting
``section 3351(2)(A)(iv)''; and
[[Page H3928]]
(ii) by inserting ``that result in financial loss to the
Government'' after ``improper payments'' each place it
appears;
(B) in clause (ii), by striking ``section 3351(2)(C)'' and
inserting ``section 3351(2)(A)(v)'';
(C) by striking clause (iii);
(D) by redesignating clauses (iv) through (vi) as clauses
(iii) through (v), respectively;
(E) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by inserting
``that result in financial loss to the Government'' after
``improper payments''; and
(F) in clause (iv), as so redesignated, by inserting ``that
result in financial loss to the Government'' after ``improper
payments''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Gill) and the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Subramanyam) each
will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. GILL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on this measure.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. GILL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8467, the Zeroing Out Monetary
Benefits Improperly Expended Act.
This bill strengthens agency efforts to prevent improper payments
that lead to financial loss to the government. Estimates made by the
Government Accountability Office reveal that the Federal Government has
lost $2.8 trillion to improper payments since 2003.
In fiscal year 2025, Federal agencies reported $186 billion in
improper payments, an increase of about $24 billion from the previous
year alone. These heinous findings prove that the status quo is not
working and is unacceptable.
This bill replaces the current broken practice of conducting
backward-looking annual improper payment estimates that remain
unchanged year to year. Instead, it directs agencies to focus more
closely on payments that result in financial loss to the government and
cost savings associated with anti-fraud activity.
This bill requires agencies to comprehensively assess fraud risk
management practices in their programs, such as the implementation of
the Government Accountability Office's fraud risk management framework
and to develop fraud risk indicators and apply key fraud risk controls
and procedures.
The bill also increases much-needed regular coordination and
information-sharing among government stakeholders responsible for
identifying and preventing improper payments.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my Oversight Committee colleague, Congressman
Gary Palmer, for leading on these important and long-overdue improper
payment reforms. I encourage my colleagues to support this bill, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today also in support of H.R. 8467, the Zeroing
Out Monetary Benefits Improperly Expended Act.
The bill is simple. It would require the Treasury to develop risk
assessment guidance for improper payments. It also requires Federal
agencies to conduct a risk assessment and publish a prioritized list of
programs at risk for fraud.
Federal agencies with the highest risk of fraud and improper payments
would be required to report on the steps they are taking to resolve
those risks. These are commonsense measures to help prevent improper
payments and promote accountability within Federal agencies.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their work on this
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. GILL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman
from Alabama (Mr. Palmer).
Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, every year, hardworking Americans dutifully
pay their taxes to support Federal public programs and other
priorities. Unfortunately, the Federal Government has too often
squandered their money through mismanagement.
For example, just last year, the Federal Government lost an estimated
$186 billion in improper payments. Six years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic
produced what is now often referred to as the greatest theft of
taxpayer dollars in history.
This is not new. The Federal Government has been on this track for
over 23 years, losing almost $3 trillion in taxpayer dollars since that
time.
The definition of insanity is continuing to take the same actions and
expecting a different result. It is time for us to make changes. Absent
major systematic reforms, we will continue to violate the public trust
at increasingly unsustainable levels.
That is why I am pleased to sponsor H.R. 8467, the Zeroing Out
Monetary Benefits Improperly Expended Act, or the ZOMBIE Act.
The ZOMBIE Act reforms Federal law to prevent improper payments
before money goes out the door. It codifies a longtime recommendation
from the Government Accountability Office to conduct regular risk
assessments of improper payments that result in actual financial loss
to the Federal Government. Assessments will focus on a comprehensive
review of risk, including implementing fraud prevention best practices.
The bill increases coordination among the inspectors general, the
U.S. Treasury, and other partners via annual meetings. Heads of Federal
agencies or designees of their choice will have the option to attend
these meetings to help identify and prevent improper payments that
result in financial loss for the government.
Additionally, the ZOMBIE Act incentivizes Federal agency reporting by
permitting up to 75 percent of the amount recovered to be redirected
back to the program. That is an increase from the current 25 percent
threshold.
By implementing the ZOMBIE Act, agencies will be able to shift or
focus toward preventing improper payments rather than on compliance
activities.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my Democratic colleagues for supporting this
bill and urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time
to close.
Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsor of the bill. I commend him on his
creativity with acronyms of bill names, and I urge everyone to support
the ZOMBIE Act. It is very much alive. I yield back the balance of my
time.
Mr. GILL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support
H.R. 8467, the Zeroing Out Monetary Benefits Improperly Expended Act,
which reforms the Payment Integrity Information Act to refocus Federal
agencies on proactively identifying and preventing improper payments
before they happen, rather than wasting resources on backward-looking
compliance activities.
Mr. Speaker, we need reforms like this bill that force agencies to
focus on preventing improper payments in the first place, and this
smart legislation does just that.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gill) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 8467, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. GILL of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground
that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum
is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
____________________