HR 5893
GUARD Act
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- Passed Senate
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Bill overview
The GUARD Act provides funding to the Social Security Administration (SSA) to cover administrative expenses if Congress fails to pass appropriations for fiscal year 2026. Specifically, it ensures the SSA can continue operating and responding to inquiries from members of Congress during any potential appropriations lapse. This aims to guarantee that retirees continue to receive their benefits even if there’s a delay in funding. The bill emphasizes the SSA’s responsibility to maintain regular operations and communication channels during such periods.
Key provisions
- Provides funding to the Social Security Administration for administrative expenses.
- Authorizes the SSA to continue operations during appropriations lapses.
- Requires the SSA to respond to communications from congressional offices during a lapse in appropriations.
- Applies to fiscal year 2026.
- Defines the funding source as ‘any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated’.
Who is affected
- Social Security Administration (SSA)
- Retirees
- Members of Congress
- Taxpayers (indirectly, through funding of SSA)
Notable changes
- Ensures continued SSA operations and communication during appropriations lapses.
- Specifically mandates the SSA’s responsiveness to congressional offices during these lapses.
Fiscal impact
The bill appropriates funds for administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration during potential appropriations lapses in fiscal year 2026.
Sponsors
Official sponsors from legislative records.
Primary sponsor
Cosponsor
Robert P. Bresnahan
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119th CONGRESS — 1st Session
H. R. 5893
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
A BILL
To provide funding for administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration during any lapse in appropriations during fiscal year 2026, to require that the Social Security Administration be responsive to Congressional offices during such a lapse in appropriations, and for other purposes.
This Act may be cited as the Guaranteed Uninterrupted Access to Retiree Disbursements Act GUARD Act
or the
.
There are hereby appropriated for fiscal year 2026, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for any period during which interim or full-year appropriations for fiscal year 2026 are not in effect, such sums as are necessary for administrative expenses of the Social Security Administration.
The Commissioner of Social Security shall ensure that, during any lapse in appropriations occurring during fiscal year 2026, the Social Security Administration carries out all functions, including responding to communications from Congressional offices, that the Administration would carry out in the absence of such a lapse.