Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act

Floor Speech

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. MOORE of Utah. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1163, the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act, which addresses the urgent need to safeguard taxpayer dollars from unemployment insurance fraud schemes.

One of our most crucial oversight duties is to ensure the responsible use of taxpayer funds. Recent reports from the White House, GAO, the Department of Labor, and other organizations have exposed the alarming theft of up to $400 billion in taxpayer dollars due to unemployment insurance fraud during the COVID pandemic.

This revelation demands immediate action. What we are trying to accomplish here is to show a plan that is feasible to be able to go after this fraud.

My colleagues on the other side of the aisle talk about wanting to go after fraud, too. These arguments that we are talking about are missing the point. This bill will go after the fraud that took place. We introduced H.R. 1163, and it will help enable the recovery of lost dollars, ensuring that this stolen money is reclaimed.

While fraud has been widespread across this Nation, some States have demonstrated success in minimizing these losses. In Utah, my home State, overpayment due to fraud consisted of less than 1 percent of total benefits disbursed. I am proud of this.

Our leaders in Utah have done an excellent job managing and protecting these resources thanks to the systems and processes implemented by former Governor Herbert, Governor Cox, their administrations, and the Utah State legislature.

The Federal Government must now work to restore public trust. It starts with holding bad actors accountable. This bill will enable that by strengthening the integrity of our systems for the future and encourage States to be proactive rather than reactive.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this fiscally responsible bill.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Source