Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
The STEP Act amends 31 U.S.C. to strengthen prevention and reporting of improper federal payments. It updates the definition of chief financial officer, requires agencies to identify new programs over $100 million as potentially susceptible to improper payments, mandates statistically valid estimates approved by OMB and agency CFOs, and requires CFO certification and annual reporting (including GAO fraud-risk leading practices) in agencies’ financial statements.
Concerns about unfunded implementation burdens versus desire to avoid new spending
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory amendment package that adds specific identification, estimation, certification, and reporting requirements intended to strengthen prevention of improper payments.
The STEP Act amends 31 U.S.C. to strengthen prevention and reporting of improper federal payments.
It updates the definition of chief financial officer, requires agencies to identify new programs over $100 million as potentially susceptible to improper payments, mandates statistically valid estimates approved by OMB and agency CFOs, and requires CFO certification and annual reporting (including GAO fraud-risk leading practices) in agencies’ financial statements.
The bill prohibits new appropriations for its implementation.
Technocratic, low-controversy measures increase chances, but many oversight bills stall in committee or are low legislative priority.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory amendment package that adds specific identification, estimation, certification, and reporting requirements intended to strengthen prevention of improper payments. It integrates clearly with existing law, names responsible officials, and prescribes standards and timelines.
Concerns about unfunded implementation burdens versus desire to avoid new spending
These are examples from the analysis, not a ranked list of the most-affected groups.
Concerns about unfunded implementation burdens versus desire to avoid new spending
Likely supportive overall as a transparency and anti-waste measure that strengthens CFO accountability and aligns agencies with GAO fraud-risk practices.
Concerned the bill lacks resources and stronger enforcement tools for recovery and remediation.
Generally favorable as a pragmatic improvement to financial controls and reporting, with sensible use of existing GAO and OMB standards.
Wants clarity on methodologies, phased rollout, and practical resource implications given no new appropriations.
Likely supportive of measures that reduce waste and improper payments, and appreciative of the no-new-funds clause.
Wary about added reporting burdens, potential centralization of authority at OMB, and federal micromanagement of agency operations.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Technocratic, low-controversy measures increase chances, but many oversight bills stall in committee or are low legislative priority.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Concerns about unfunded implementation burdens versus desire to avoid new spending
Technocratic, low-controversy measures increase chances, but many oversight bills stall in committee or are low legislative priority.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill is a focused statutory amendment package that adds specific identification, estimation, certification, and reporting requirements intended to strengthen prevention of…
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