U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville is asking the Government Accountability Office to investigate fraud risks and improper payments in a federal child care program that distributes billions of dollars through the states.

Tuberville (R-Auburn) joined Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and U.S. Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) in requesting a follow-up GAO review of the Child Care and Development Fund, or CCDF.

The program provides federal and state-funded child care assistance to low-income families while parents work, attend school or participate in job training.

“Our number 1 priority is making sure that hardworking American taxpayers aren’t being ripped off,” Tuberville said. “I’m glad to join my Republican colleagues in urging GAO to investigate and put an end to all fraud in the Child Care and Development Fund.”

The senators are asking GAO to examine how states verify the eligibility of families and child care providers, whether providers are being paid for services actually delivered and whether children are being billed through multiple federally funded child care programs.

They also asked the watchdog agency to evaluate how the federal government and states identify improper payments and what additional safeguards may be necessary.

The senators’ letter cites more than $800 million in CCDF overpayments during fiscal year 2025.

HHS’s fiscal year 2025 financial report estimated total improper payments in the program at $921.46 million, or 4.93% of payments. The agency said the primary causes included missing documentation and administrative errors in applying eligibility rules. Improper payments can include fraud but are not necessarily fraudulent. (HHS)

The request comes after HHS froze access to certain child care and family-assistance funds in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York in January, citing concerns over possible fraud and misuse of federal dollars. (HHS)

GAO has previously identified weaknesses in oversight of the program. A 2020 report found that federal officials needed to strengthen monitoring of states’ program-integrity efforts and better address the causes of improper payments. More recently, GAO included CCDF in a broader 2026 review of fraud risks in federally funded, state-administered programs. (GAO)

“We are writing today to request GAO conduct a follow-up study on improper payments and fraud in the CCDF program,” the senators wrote.

Tuberville serves as co-chairman of a Senate HELP Committee task force focused on waste, fraud and abuse in taxpayer-funded education programs.

Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].