U.S. Sen. Katie Britt is backing an anti-fraud bill that would claw back more than $65 billion in unused COVID funding and strengthen protections against wasteful federal spending.
Britt (R-Montgomery) joined U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and 13 other senators in introducing the Protecting American Taxpayers Act, a package combining 16 initiatives that have received support from Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
“Thanks to the Trump Administration, we’ve learned more about just how rampant fraud is across our federal government,” Britt said.
“This legislation takes important steps not only to crack down on this fraud once and for all and hold fraudsters accountable, but also to protect hard-earned taxpayer dollars.”
The bill’s largest proposed recovery would rescind more than $65 billion remaining in unused COVID-era programs.
It would also prohibit individuals convicted of defrauding the Small Business Administration from receiving future assistance and require the president’s annual budget request to include information about improper federal payments.
Other provisions would extend statutes of limitations for certain fraud offenses, close gaps in federal whistleblower protections and establish a task force focused on scams involving artificial intelligence and deepfakes.
The package would also increase oversight of federal funds sent to countries subject to travel bans or arms embargoes, require additional disclosure of cash assistance distributed in Afghanistan and revise accountability requirements within the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program.
Ernst said criminals steal more than $1 billion from taxpayers each day and argued that the federal government must do more to prevent fraud before payments are made.
“The American taxpayer is not a piggy bank for fraudsters, and it’s time Washington started acting like it,” Ernst said.
Britt recently joined the Senate Anti-Fraud Task Force, a group created to examine fraud involving taxpayer-funded programs and identify potential legislative or enforcement responses.
The task force has asked Justice Department officials for information about current anti-fraud efforts and areas where Congress could provide additional authority or resources.
Britt has also supported legislation aimed at strengthening cybersecurity protections for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and preventing criminals from exploiting benefits intended for eligible families.
“I’m proud to join Senator Ernst and many of my colleagues in our continued efforts to crack down on waste, fraud and abuse,” Britt said.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
