In a single day, the Lula government releases R$2.3 billion in PIX amendments

The government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Sila (Workers' Party) made the first payment of the so-called special transfer amendments, known as PIX amendments, in 2025, totaling R$2.3 billion in a single day on September 9th—the largest amount paid in this format to date. Data on transfers of these amendments is available in the Siga Brasil system.

The amount represents about a third of the total budgeted for the entire year. This type of amendment was created in 2019 and is known for having a low level of oversight and transparency, as it allows the direct transfer of funds to states and municipalities without the need for a project, justification, or agreement. Furthermore, because these are mandatory amendments, the government is legally obligated to pay them.

The payment comes amid a tense political climate. About two weeks ago, the federation formed by União Brasil and PP announced the official departure of its members from the Lula administration. On the same day of the split, the Executive branch committed the funds, which were released the following week. The two parties benefited most from the payments: together, they received R$509 million—R$278 million for União and R$231 million for PP.

Next, the PL received R$400 million, followed by the MDB, which is part of the government's coalition, with R$317 million. The PT, the president's party, received R$174 million, while the PSOL was the only party with representation in Congress that had no amendments paid.

In total, 429 members of parliament received funding. Senator Lucas Barreto (PSD-AP) was the biggest beneficiary, with R$18.5 million allocated to Amapá. Close behind is opposition leader Rogério Marinho (PL-RN), with R$18 million allocated to cities in Rio Grande do Norte. In third place is Representative Alberto Mourão (MDB-SP), with R$17.8 million. The presidents of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate also stood out: Davi Alcolumbre (União-AP) received R$16.5 million, and Hugo Motta (Republicanos-PB), R$6.9 million.

Untracked transfers are in the STF's sights

This type of transfer has already been challenged by the Supreme Federal Court (STF), which even suspended all payments of parliamentary amendments until new transparency rules were established. In response, Congress changed the rules, meaning that the funds must now be used primarily to complete unfinished projects, with the location of their application clearly stated.

Even after the changes, Minister Flávio Dino, of the Federal Supreme Court (STF), determined this Monday (15) the suspension of transfers of parliamentary amendments to nine municipalities that did not meet the requirements of traceability and transparency in the use of public resources. The decision is based on an audit conducted by the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU).

Which municipalities have suspended transfers in PIX amendments?

The measure affects cities that received funds through so-called "special transfers," known as PIX amendments — a modality created due to the speed of transfer and the absence of a requirement for a project or formal justification.

The CGU analyzed the ten municipalities that received the most individual amendments between 2020 and 2024, totaling R$724.8 million in transfers. Only the city of São Paulo (SP) fully met the requirements set by the Supreme Federal Court (STF). The other nine municipalities presented irregularities, resulting in the suspension of transfers. See the municipalities and the main problems identified:

• Carapicuíba (SP): failures in the formalization of the bidding process;
• São Luiz do Anauá (RR): works stopped, with expired deadline;
• São João de Meriti (RJ): suspicions of overbilling;
• Iracema (RR): execution of works outside the technical specifications;
• Rio de Janeiro (RJ): signs of overbilling;
• Sena Madureira (AC): lack of proof of delivery of products;
• Camaçari (BA): deviation from contractual purpose;
• Coração de Maria (BA): hiring of a company without proof of technical capacity;
• Macapá (AP): signs of overpricing.

In addition to the suspension, Dino ordered the CGU to send the report to the Federal Police, which will investigate possible crimes such as misappropriation of public funds, overbilling, and favoritism toward companies. The CGU report highlighted that in 9 of the 10 municipalities analyzed, there were inefficient contract execution and serious flaws in the procurement of goods or services, directly impacting the delivery of funded projects.

Given the irregularities, the minister also ordered the CGU to expand the investigation to other municipalities that have received similar amendments. According to him, the objective is to "separate the wheat from the chaff, prevent injustice, guarantee the right to a defense, and apply appropriate sanctions in accordance with due process."