Senator James Lankford (R-OK), a founding member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, has introduced a legislative package aimed at tackling government waste related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The package focuses on addressing unemployment fraud and strengthening prosecution of pandemic recovery fund fraud.
One bill seeks to empower states to halt unemployment payments to individuals suspected of fraudulent activity, removing the current requirement for agencies to reinstate payments within two weeks pending appeal, even in cases of potential fraud. A second bill proposes extending the statute of limitations for all pandemic-era programs, encompassing significant initiatives like the Coronavirus Relief Fund, Economic Impact Payments, and Unemployment Insurance. This expansion aims to provide more time for investigations and prosecutions related to these programs.
Comptroller General of the United States, Eugene Dodaro, expressed support for the bill targeting COVID relief fraud, highlighting the importance of holding individuals accountable and ensuring responsible use of taxpayer funds. This legislation aligns with the broader goals of the DOGE Caucus, which was initially proposed by former President Trump with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as leaders. The caucus focuses on reducing government waste and streamlining federal agencies.
Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) is a co-sponsor of Lankford's COVID fraud bill. The DOGE Caucus has gained traction in both the House and Senate, with representatives like Aaron Bean (R-FL), Pete Sessions (R-TX), and Blake Moore (R-UT) also involved in the House. Musk previously suggested that the DOGE initiative could potentially cut trillions in government spending.
