On January 10, the White House released a press statement reporting that President Obama signed into law a large number of bills passed by Congress in the final weeks of the previous session. Among them is the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2012 (HR 4053), which clarifies requirements for federal agencies to use improper payment information when determining program or award eligibility, establishes a Do Not Pay Initiative, and expands the responsibilities of the Office of Management and Budget in an effort to reduce improper payments. In addition, one signed measure (HR 4057) requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to set a comprehensive policy for providing veterans and members of the Armed Forces with information about higher education and training programs. Another (HR 6014) authorizes the Justice Department to administer a grant program to assist states with the first-year costs related to implementing a process to collect DNA from those arrested or charged with particular criminal offenses under state law.

Links: Press Statement; HR 4053; HR 4057; HR 6014