Congresswoman Miller Discusses Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act at Ways and Means Markup
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) spoke at the Ways and Means markup for the Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act. Congresswoman Miller discussed how the past four years of Democrat leadership led to a lack of oversight of federal agencies and abuse of taxpayer dollars. She also highlighted how West Virginia businesses have struggled to reopen because of enhanced unemployment benefits that are now required after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Remarks as prepared are below:
“Thank you, Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Neal.
Since the Fall of 2020, Ways and Means Republicans have been sounding the alarm to investigate the vast amounts of fraud incurred by federal unemployment programs during the pandemic. Committee Democrats failed to respond to the red flags raised by multiple law enforcement agencies and the requests from Committee Republicans for oversight hearings.
It is the role of Congress and this committee in particular to hold federal agencies accountable. We must thoroughly examine this fraud and ensure the funds are making it to individuals in need, not into the hands of fraudsters and organized criminal enterprises.
Unemployment benefits were meant to provide assistance to individuals who lost a job in the midst of the COVID-19 regulations to reduce the economic impact of government-imposed lock-downs. The initial payments saved people’s lives and guaranteed families and children would have food on their table.
However, the enhanced unemployment benefits discouraged workers from returning to their jobs and made it more difficult for employers to hire. Just this week, we heard from numerous employers in West Virginia who expressed their struggles to reopen their businesses due to the increased benefits.
As the economy began to reopen, many individuals who were gainfully employed continued to receive unemployment compensation. There were many unemployed workers who attempted to receive benefits but were unable to due to someone stealing their identity and filing a fraudulent claim in their name.
The unchecked cases of fraud and lack of full accounting on the amount of money that was used has caused the greatest theft of taxpayer dollars.
I know that the Government Accountability Office recently released a report that stated an estimated Sixty billion dollars pandemic funds were stolen and outside estimates range as high as Four-Hundred billion.
This is unacceptable and reveals the important of the legislation being discussed today.
The Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act provides incentives for states to recover fraudulent unemployment payments, implements safeguards to prevent future fraud, improves the integrity of the program, and extends the statute of limitation for prosecution to ensure all those responsible are held accountable.
Thank you and I yield back.”
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