Senator James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma, is set to introduce new legislation aimed at addressing government inefficiencies tied to COVID-19 spending. This initiative is expected to take place this Tuesday as the nation prepares for the upcoming presidential term of Donald Trump.
Lankford’s new legislative package includes two key bills: one designed to target unemployment fraud and another to extend the time frame for prosecuting fraud related to pandemic recovery funds. Lankford emphasized the importance of tackling government waste, stating, “Improving government efficiency is not just a partisan issue; it affects all Americans. We must close loopholes that let fraudsters exploit COVID relief measures, costing taxpayers billions.”
The first bill would allow states to stop unemployment payments if they suspect fraud, eliminating the current obligation for unemployment agencies to resume payments within two weeks during an appeal, even if fraud is a possibility.
The second piece of legislation aims to broaden the statute of limitations for pandemic-related programs to include all sizable expenses, such as the Coronavirus Relief Fund and Economic Impact Payments. The goal is to provide more time for oversight bodies and law enforcement to address fraud in these programs effectively.
Lankford’s office noted that the Government Accountability Office has endorsed the bill aimed at combating COVID relief fraud, indicating strong support for these efforts. He expressed his satisfaction that the new legislation would facilitate oversight and hold wrongdoers accountable.
Trump announced in November that Elon Musk and former presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy would lead a new initiative called DOGE, which seeks to eliminate waste in government spending. He stated, “These two remarkable individuals will help lead my administration in reducing bureaucratic red tape and cutting unnecessary spending, which is essential for the ‘Save America’ initiative.”
Lankford’s proposals reflect a growing commitment among conservatives to ensure that government funds are spent wisely and efficiently, reinforcing the notion that accountability is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the spending programs established during the pandemic.
