Crapo Backs Legislative Package to Target Fraud

Washington, D.C.--U.S. Senator Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) joined in co-sponsoring S. 4952, the Protecting American Taxpayers Act, a comprehensive anti-fraud legislative package that would recover stolen funds, protect taxpayer dollars and stop fraudsters. Led by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), the legislation is projected to save taxpayers $240 billion if enacted.

"Fraud robs taxpayers and weakens confidence in federal programs," said Crapo. "This legislation would strengthen safeguards, improve accountability and help recover stolen funds. Taxpayer dollars should serve their intended purpose--not line the pockets of criminals."

In addition to Crapo, the legislation is co-sponsored by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas), Senator Kevin Cramer (R-North Dakota), Senator Ashley Moody (R-Florida), Senator Tim Sheehy (R-Montana), Senator Jim Banks (R-Indiana), Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas), Senator Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Senator Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Senator Dave McCormick (R-Pennsylvania), Senator James Lankford (R-Oklahoma), Senator Todd Young (R-Indiana), Senator Katie Britt (R-Alabama), Senator Eric Schmitt (R-Missouri), Senator John Kennedy (R-Louisiana), Senator Jim Justice (R-West Virginia), Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyoming), Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyoming), Senator Steve Daines (R-Montana), Senator Ted Budd (R-North Carolina), Senator Bill Hagerty (R-Tennessee), Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) and Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi).

The Protecting American Taxpayers Act includes 16 bills introduced by both Democratic and Republican senators.

To recover wasteful funds:

1. S. 3727, the Stop Fraud Before Payment Act, and S. 3462, the WALZ Act, would require payments to be made as reimbursements only after a service has been provided;
2. S. 1047, the Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act, would prevent criminals convicted of defrauding the U.S. Small Business Administration from receiving future assistance;
3. S. 3166, the Returning Unspent COVID Funds Act, would claw back more than $65 billion in unused COVID-19 funds;
4. S. 2732, the Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act, would allow inspectors general to provide bonuses to employees who uncover fraud in government programs; and
5. S. 747, the Improper Payments Transparency Act, would require data on improper payments to be included in the President's annual budget request.

To protect taxpayer dollars:

1. S. 1567, the JOBS for Success Act, would require states to measure and report improper payments in Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and directs HHS to develop a long-term plan to reduce TANF payment errors;
2. S. 3610, the No Funding for Foreign Agents Act, would prohibit funds from going to countries subject to travel bans or arms embargoes; and
3. S. 226, the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act would require the disclosure of cash assistance in Afghanistan to help prevent Taliban access.

To stop fraudsters and hold them accountable:

1. S. 2117, the Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act, would establish a task force to combat deepfake scams;
2. S. 1199, the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act, and S. 121, the Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act, would extend statutes of limitations to help ensure criminals are caught and held accountable;
3. S. 1991, the Fraud Alert Systems Act, would require the U.S. Department of the Treasury to maintain a description of every payment and cross-check the information;
4. S. 3746, the Stopping Transfers of Public Funds Abroad Act, would require individuals seeking to conduct international wire transfers to certify they do not receive public assistance;
5. S. 2683, the Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Act of 2025, would provide consistent scam-prevention guidance for veterans; and
6. S.874, the Expanding Whistleblower Protection for Contractors Act of 2025, would close loopholes in whistleblower-protection laws.

The full text of the legislation is available HERE.

A one-page summary is available HERE.

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