Ernst Unveils Legislative Package to Stop Fraud

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senate DOGE Caucus Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) led her colleagues in unveiling a comprehensive anti-fraud legislative package that would recover stolen funds, protect taxpayer dollars, and stop fraudsters.

Ernst has led the fight in Washington against waste, fraud, and abuse for years. After being tasked by Leader John Thune in January to ensure the fraud uncovered in Minnesota never happens again, Ernst took action and has worked with her colleagues to put together the Protecting American Taxpayers Act, a bill that is projected to save $240 billion.

"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 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."

The legislation is cosponsored by Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.), Ashley Moody (R-Fla.), Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), and James Lankford (R-Okla.).

The package includes 17 initiatives spearheaded by both Democratic and Republican senators:

To recover wasteful funds:

• Senator Ernst's Stop Fraud Before Payment Act and Senator Marshall's WALZ Act require payments be made as reimbursements only after a service has been provided;
• Senator Young's Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act prevents criminals convicted of defrauding the Small Business Administration from receiving future assistance;
• Senator Ernst's Returning Unspent COVID Funds Act claws back unused COVID funds, which has totaled more than $65 billion;
• Senator Paul's Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act allows Inspectors General to pay out bonuses to employees who uncover fraud in government programs; and
• Senator Ricketts' Improper Payments Transparency Act requires data on improper payments in the president's annual budget request.

To protect taxpayer dollars:

• Senator Daines' JOBS for Success Act increases accountability for employment outcomes through updates to the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program;
• Senator Banks' No Funding for Foreign Agents Act prohibits funds from going to countries under travel bans or arms embargos;
• Senator Sheehy's No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act discloses cash assistance in Afghanistan to prevent Taliban access; and
• Senator Ernst's Stop Secret Spending Act requires tax dollars hidden through "Other Transaction Agreements" to be disclosed.

To stop fraudsters and hold them accountable:

• Senator Husted's Preventing Deep Fake Scams Act establishes a task force to combat deep fake scams;
• Senator Ernst's SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act and Senator Lankford's Recover Fraudulent COVID Funds Act extend the statutes of limitations to ensure criminals are caught and held accountable;
• Senator Ernst's Fraud Alert Systems Act requires the U.S. Treasury to have a description of every payment and crosscheck it;
• Senator Moreno's Stopping Transfers of Public Funds Abroad Act requires individuals who want to conduct international wire transfers to certify that they do not receive public assistance;
• Senator Cornyn's VSAFE Act of 2025 provides consistent scam prevention guidance for veterans; and
• Senator Peters' Expanding Whistleblower Protection for Contractors Act of 2025 closes loopholes in whistleblower protection laws.

Read the bill here and one pager here.

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