Ernst, Colleagues Call for Passage of Anti-Fraud Package

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) brought her colleagues together and built consensus to create a comprehensive, anti-fraud package that includes 17 commonsense bills that would recover stolen funds, protect taxpayer dollars, and stop fraudsters.

After the widespread fraud in Minnesota and beyond exposed that $1.4 billion is stolen from taxpayers each day, Ernst led 12 senators in standing up for every Americans' hard-earned dollars! See what members are saying:

"The fraud stops here, folks! After massive schemes in Minnesota and beyond were exposed, I'm putting an end to scammers treating the federal government like a personal piggy bank," said Senator Ernst. "Many politicians and lenient, liberal judges look the other way while criminals steal more than $1 billion from taxpayers every day. I'm stepping up to the plate and bringing my colleagues together to end this theft. The Protecting American Taxpayers Act not only stops fraud before it happens and holds those responsible accountable, but it returns stolen dollars to taxpayers. This overdue legislation will soon be brought to a vote to put every senator on the record on whether they stand with swindlers or taxpayers."

"Americans must know their tax dollars are put to good use," said Senator Ricketts. "Continual cases of waste, fraud, and abuse cannot go ignored. This package fights to protect our taxpayers. Included bills, like my Improper Payments Transparency Act, make sure government spending is transparent and the data is accessible. Senate Republicans have been working since day one to protect hardworking taxpayers and this package continues that work."

"Fraud doesn't stop at state lines - grifters follow the money, and right now, federal loopholes are rolling out the welcome mat," said Senator Marshall. "I'm proud to join Senator Ernst on this legislation and glad to see my WALZ Act included in the package. The Protecting American Taxpayers Act closes those gaps before the next billion-dollar theft happens - because Kansans work too hard to watch their money disappear into the pockets of criminal fraud rings."

"For years, I've led efforts to root out fraud and uncover wasteful spending in our government, from exposing $10,000 toilet seats at the Pentagon to billions in fraud and improper payments in Medicare and Medicaid," said Senator Grassley. "I'm glad to join Senator Ernst in introducing this comprehensive package to crack down on fraud, protect taxpayer dollars and curb wasteful spending. This legislation, which includes my Expanding Whistleblower Protections for Contractors Act, shows how Republicans are standing up for the rule of law and stopping brazen criminals from stealing Americans' hard-earned money.

"Congress must do more to protect innocent Americans who are being defrauded left and right while crooks and illegal migrants profit," said Senator Cornyn. "I'm proud to join my colleagues on this package of legislation, which includes my VSAFE Act to protect veterans from scams, to ensure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly, scammers are held accountable, and fraud is rooted out once and for all."

"For too long, fraud has been allowed to run rampant in our country-costing taxpayers and taking advantage of innocent Americans," said Senator Husted. "Senate Republicans are working to root out waste, fraud, and abuse, and this package reflects that commitment. I'm especially proud it includes my Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act, which cracks down on identity theft and fraud driven by artificial intelligence. The Protecting American Taxpayers Act helps stop fraud before it happens, returns stolen taxpayer dollars, and holds bad actors accountable, and I'm looking forward to working to get it across the finish line."

"I came to Washington as an outsider with a focus on rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal government," said Senator McCormick. "I'm proud to support the Protecting American Taxpayers Act to restore fiscal discipline and rebuild Americans' confidence that their hard-earned tax dollars are being spent responsibly and that we root out sources of fraud."

"Making the government more efficient isn't a partisan issue, it's an American issue," said Senator Lankford. "Loopholes in the law let fraudsters get away with billions in COVID recovery payouts while forcing taxpayers to foot the bill. The Protecting American Taxpayers Act closes those loopholes, by clawing back more than $65 billion in unspent COVID funds to make sure COVID criminals do not escape accountability simply because the clock ran out. I have spent years documenting Washington's Federal Fumbles, and I am proud my Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act is included in this package. The decades of government waste must come to an end."

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