Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. BEYER. Mr. Speaker, I stand in opposition to this bill. It is nothing more than a disingenuous attempt to undermine the Federal unemployment insurance program, which provided a critical lifeline to millions of Americans during the pandemic.

My Republican colleagues say they are concerned about unemployment fraud. I am, too.

However, this bill does nothing to claw back stolen UI funds. In fact, it would go a long way toward stopping the ongoing successful work by the Federal Government to fight fraud and hold criminals responsible.

It would rescind $2 billion in funding provided to the Department of Labor to strengthen the UI system and improve fraud detection and prevention and replace it with a bizarre set of incentives for States to go after ordinary workers who were overpaid, through no fault of their own, years after the fact.

The Department of Labor assistance facilitated by the American Rescue Plan made a huge difference in my State of Virginia. Following the guidance, we were able to make a significant dent in the unemployment insurance appeals backlog that has plagued our State system for years.

There is no question our unemployment system needs improvement, but this bill would make the system more vulnerable to fraud.

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