Senator Marshall Joins Colleagues in Calling for Senate Vote on Comprehensive Anti-Fraud Package

Washington - U.S. Senator Roger Marshall, M.D. (R-Kansas), joined Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Senate Republican colleagues in calling on the Senate to take up the Protecting American Taxpayers Act, a comprehensive package of anti-fraud reforms that would recover taxpayer dollars, prevent future fraud, and strengthen accountability across the federal government.

The package includes Senator Marshall's WALZ Act, legislation that would help prevent fraud by requiring payments to be made as reimbursements only after services have been provided -closing loopholes that have allowed billions in taxpayer dollars to be stolen.

"Fraudsters are always looking for the next weak spot, and for years Washington has made their job far too easy," said Senator Marshall. "President Trump has brought a renewed focus to rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse, and Congress should seize this opportunity to make those reforms permanent. I'm proud to work with Senator Ernst on this legislation and pleased that my WALZ Act is included in the package. Together, these reforms close the loopholes that have cost taxpayers billions and better protect the hard-earned dollars of Kansas families."

The Protecting American Taxpayers Act is projected to save taxpayers $240 billion by preventing fraud before it occurs, recovering stolen funds, and holding criminals accountable. The legislation bundles together 16 bipartisan anti-fraud initiatives aimed at strengthening oversight of federal spending and protecting taxpayer resources.

The package includes provisions to:

Recover wasteful federal funds:

• Require federal payments to be made as reimbursements only after services have been provided through Senator Marshall's WALZ Act, helping prevent fraudulent upfront payments.
• Prevent individuals convicted of defrauding the Small Business Administration from receiving future federal assistance.
• Claw back more than $65 billion in unused COVID-19 funds.
• Incentivize Inspectors General to identify and recover taxpayer dollars lost to fraud.
• Increase transparency by requiring detailed reporting on improper payments in the President's annual budget.

Protect taxpayer dollars:

• Strengthen accountability for employment outcomes in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
• Prohibit federal funds from going to countries subject to U.S. travel bans or arms embargoes.
• Increase transparency around U.S. cash assistance in Afghanistan to help prevent taxpayer dollars from reaching terrorist organizations.

Stop fraudsters and hold them accountable:

• Establish a federal task force to combat AI-generated deepfake scams.
• Extend the statute of limitations for investigating and prosecuting COVID-era fraud.
• Strengthen Treasury payment verification and fraud detection systems.
• Require individuals conducting international wire transfers to certify they are not receiving public assistance.
• Strengthen scam prevention protections for America's veterans.
• Close loopholes in federal whistleblower protections to encourage reporting of fraud and abuse.

Click here to read the full text of the legislation.

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