Authorizes federal agencies and the Treasury Department to temporarily hold, condition, or split a payment that shows an elevated fraud risk, and requires notice to the payee within 2 days.

• Requires an agency or the Treasury to pause, condition, or segment a payment before certification when an objective, documented fraud-risk indicator or estimated improper payment shows elevated risk of financial loss to the government.
• Requires the payee to receive notice within 2 days that explains the reason for the pause and the review process, and requires the payment to be issued within 30 days if the agency finds no elevated risk, or within 7 days after a successful contest.
• Directs agencies to let routine, historically consistent payment amounts proceed while holding only the anomalous or high-risk portion, and limits each pause to the minimum time needed to verify eligibility.
• Relieves officers and employees of personal liability for good-faith actions under the section, and requires the Treasury to report results to Congress annually starting 18 months after enactment. Takes effect one year after enactment.

• Oversight and Government Reform Committee (House)

Government Operations and Politics