Senate passes bill aimed at saving billions in improper federal payments, among others

The Senate passed several measure Thursday, one of which would reduce the more than $100 billion in improper payments the federal government made to illegitimate recipients in 2012.

Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) introduced the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act, H.R. 4053, which would creates a "Do Not Pay" list, a database of entities that are not eligible to receive federal payments. Federal agencies would have to closely monitor that list and use it to cross-check whether the entity they are about to pay is eligible. The measure passed the House on a 402-0 vote last week.

Before adjourning for the evening, the Senate passed a few more measures by unanimous consent.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) introduced the Video Privacy Protection Act Amendments Act, H.R. 6671, which would allow video rental companies to get online consent from their customers in order to share their rental preferences on the Internet. It would relax current law — the Video Privacy Protection Act — that now prevents any sharing of information related to video rental history without written consent. The House approved the same measure earlier this week.

Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) introduced H.R. 443, which would require Health and Human Services (HHS) to convey specified property, including all land appurtenances, in Kotzebue, Alaska, to the Maniilaq Association for use in connection with health and social services programs.

S. 2388, would reauthorize the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Officers Corp. Act.

H.J. Res. 122, would set the date for the electoral vote count confirming President Obama’s victory in November. The House also passed this measure this week.

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