Walberg Votes to Strengthen Oversight and Crack Down on Fraud

Today, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-05) voted in favor of two bills that would strengthen federal oversight of taxpayer-funded programs and crack down on fraud. The National Fraud Enforcement Division Act and the Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds (PROOF) Act passed the House by votes of 352-72 and 217-207, respectively. 

"Federal programs should support real families, rather than fraudsters," said Rep. Walberg. "As Chair of the Education and Workforce Committee, I helped usher multiple bills through the House earlier this year to strengthen oversight and institute safeguards against fraud in federal student aid and child care programs. These bills would build upon these efforts to further identify and crack down on fraud and hold criminals who are exploiting the system accountable." 

Background

Each year, fraudsters steal billions of dollars from Americans and taxpayer-funded programs, with the Government Accountability Office estimating up to $521 billion being lost due to fraudulent payments. 

The National Fraud Enforcement Division Act would codify President Trump's Division for National Fraud Enforcement within the Department of Justice. Since its establishment in January, the division has uncovered billions of dollars in fraud. This legislation would ensure that an office is permanently in place to combat fraud across the federal government, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and hold fraudsters accountable. 

The Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds (PROOF) Act would improve information-sharing between state administrators and federal law enforcement, making it easier to identify fraud more quickly.