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Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Senator Lankford introduces bills targeting fraud and waste in federal programs

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Senator James Lankford, US Senator for Oklahoma | Official U.S. Senate headshot

Senator James Lankford, US Senator for Oklahoma | Official U.S. Senate headshot

Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma and founding member of the Department of Government Efficiency Caucus, has introduced two bills aimed at addressing fraud and waste in government programs. The legislation seeks to extend the statute of limitations for pandemic-era programs and tackle fraudulent claims in unemployment insurance.

Lankford stated, “Making the government more efficient isn’t a partisan issue—it’s an American issue. Loopholes in the law let fraudsters get away with billions in COVID recovery and Unemployment Insurance payouts while forcing taxpayers to foot the bill. The decades of government waste must come to an end.”

The first bill, known as the Fraudulent Covid Funds Recovery Act, proposes extending the statute of limitations from five years to ten years for all pandemic-related programs. This extension would enable law enforcement agencies to address fraud more effectively across various levels. Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa is cosponsoring this legislation.

The second bill, named Eliminate Fraudulent Unemployment Insurance Benefits Act, requires states to withhold payments from claimants deemed ineligible and fraudulent. It also introduces new definitions to assist states in identifying fraudulent activities accurately.

Previously, Lankford published his government waste book titled "Federal Fumbles: Ways the Federal Government Dropped the Ball," which highlighted nearly half-a-trillion dollars in government waste. He also supported the Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act that led to the launch of the Federal Program Inventory earlier this year, allowing Americans to see how their tax dollars are being spent.

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