Sinema, Stivers, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bill to Hold Government Officials Accountable for Illegally-Spent Federal Funds

Press Release

Administration officials will be held responsible when they spend taxpayer money illegally under a new bill introduced today by a bipartisan group of lawmakers. Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) worked across the aisle to introduce the Cut the Perks Act with Congressmen Steve Stivers (OH-15) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08). The bill requires political appointees to personally reimburse the government for illegal expenditures of public money.

"Arizonans are sick and tired of having their hard-earned tax dollars wasted. No taxpayer should ever foot the bill for Washington bureaucrats' illegal expenses," said Congresswoman Sinema. "Our bipartisan bill forces administration appointees to pay back the taxpayers for illegal expenses and demands accountability. I will continue to work across the aisle to stand up for Arizona taxpayers."

"A fundamental principle of our democracy is that government officials are not above the law. That's why when political appointees use taxpayer dollars for illegal expenses, they must be held accountable," Congressman Stivers said. "I am proud to join Congresswoman Sinema on this bipartisan legislation to ensure the American people do not foot the bill for unlawful expenses."

"As a former FBI Special Agent in the Political Corruption Unit, I understand the crucial importance of clean government and anti-corruption efforts to maintaining the trust between every American citizen and their government officials,"said Congressman Fitzpatrick. "Any federal government official found to be making illegal taxpayer-funded purchases should be held fully accountable. By making these federal officials personally reimburse the taxpayer, the Cut the Perks Act would begin restoring the essential trust between the American people and their government."

Under current law, there is no recourse for taxpayers if an Inspector General (IG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) determine that an administration official's expense is illegal. The Cut the Perks Act requires political appointees to personally reimburse the government for the amount of a personal expense in deemed a willful violation of Federal law.

Congressmen Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Carlos Curbelo (FL-26), and David Young (IA-03) joined Sinema, Stivers, and Fitzpatrick to introduce the bill.

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