Contact Congress about H.R. 1156: Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act

The government would get up to 10 years to bring fraud cases over certain COVID unemployment benefits. The bill covers criminal charges and civil lawsuits, but it would not reopen cases where the old deadline already passed.

Modern Action explains legislation in plain English, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.

Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act is a Senate bill waiting for floor action. The latest recorded action: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 29.

Latest action on H.R. 1156: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 29.

Who this affects: This bill mainly affects people, businesses, or other groups suspected of fraud in covered COVID unemployment programs. It also affects federal investigators, prosecutors, and agencies trying to recover misspent benefits. Employers, banks, and other third parties could feel the impact if they hold records or become part of a related investigation or civil case.

Why this matters: Fraud cases can take years to uncover, and this bill gives the government more time to act. It could help recover money from COVID unemployment scams that were not found quickly. It also means some people may face investigations or cases long after the pandemic. The bill does not say how many extra cases would be brought or how much money could be recovered.

Key provisions in H.R. 1156

• The government would get 10 years to bring covered pandemic unemployment fraud cases. That deadline would run from the date of the fraud or conspiracy.
• The bill covers fraud tied to four CARES Act unemployment programs. They are Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
• The bill applies to listed federal fraud laws. These include fraud, theft, identity theft, bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, conspiracy, money laundering, the False Claims Act, and related civil fraud laws.
• The bill would not reopen cases whose deadline already ran out. If the statute of limitations expired before this Act becomes law, the case stays expired.
• The bill takes back $5 million in unused unemployment-related COVID relief money. The money came from section 2118(a) of title II of division A of Public Law 116-136, as added by Public Law 117-2.

How Modern Action helps you take action on H.R. 1156

You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.

Questions people ask about H.R. 1156

What is H.R. 1156?

The government would get up to 10 years to bring fraud cases over certain COVID unemployment benefits. The bill covers criminal charges and civil lawsuits, but it would not reopen cases where the old deadline already passed.

How do I support or oppose H.R. 1156?

Choose support, oppose, or ask for changes on Modern Action. The action flow drafts the message for you and keeps the wording tied to this bill.

Who should I contact about H.R. 1156?

Modern Action uses your location to route the action to the congressional offices relevant to the bill and your representation.

Can Modern Action explain H.R. 1156 before I act?

Yes. Modern Action gives you a plain-English summary, current status, and action context before you send anything.