Zeroing Out Monetary Benefits Improperly Expended Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. PALMER. Mr. Speaker, every year, hardworking Americans dutifully pay their taxes to support Federal public programs and other priorities. Unfortunately, the Federal Government has too often squandered their money through mismanagement.

For example, just last year, the Federal Government lost an estimated $186 billion in improper payments. Six years ago, the COVID-19 pandemic produced what is now often referred to as the greatest theft of taxpayer dollars in history.

This is not new. The Federal Government has been on this track for over 23 years, losing almost $3 trillion in taxpayer dollars since that time.

The definition of insanity is continuing to take the same actions and expecting a different result. It is time for us to make changes. Absent major systematic reforms, we will continue to violate the public trust at increasingly unsustainable levels.

That is why I am pleased to sponsor H.R. 8467, the Zeroing Out Monetary Benefits Improperly Expended Act, or the ZOMBIE Act.

The ZOMBIE Act reforms Federal law to prevent improper payments before money goes out the door. It codifies a longtime recommendation from the Government Accountability Office to conduct regular risk assessments of improper payments that result in actual financial loss to the Federal Government. Assessments will focus on a comprehensive review of risk, including implementing fraud prevention best practices.

The bill increases coordination among the inspectors general, the U.S. Treasury, and other partners via annual meetings. Heads of Federal agencies or designees of their choice will have the option to attend these meetings to help identify and prevent improper payments that result in financial loss for the government.

Additionally, the ZOMBIE Act incentivizes Federal agency reporting by permitting up to 75 percent of the amount recovered to be redirected back to the program. That is an increase from the current 25 percent threshold.

By implementing the ZOMBIE Act, agencies will be able to shift or focus toward preventing improper payments rather than on compliance activities.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my Democratic colleagues for supporting this bill and urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

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