Washington, D.C. – Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) spoke on the House floor in support of Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith’s (R-MO-08) Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act before its passage in the House by a vote of 295 to 127. This legislation would extend the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution and civil enforcement actions in pandemic unemployment programs from 5 to 10 years to hold fraudsters accountable and recover taxpayer dollars.
“It is clearer by the day that the COVID pandemic gave rise to widespread financial fraud,” said Congressman Moran. “A prime example of that is the fraudulent unemployment insurance claims that were filed which totaled between $100 and $150 billion dollars, most of which happened as a result of organized crime. Incredibly, to date, less than four percent of these stolen funds have been recovered. And if we do nothing before March 27th, the statute of limitations to bring these criminal cases against these fraudsters will come to an end and the rest of these taxpayer funds will be lost forever.”
Watch Congressman Moran’s Full Remarks HERE
Congressman Moran’s full remarks as delivered:
“I rise today in support of H.R. 1156, the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act, introduced by our Chairman Jason Smith.
“It is clearer by the day that the COVID pandemic gave rise to widespread financial fraud. A prime example of that is the fraudulent unemployment insurance claims that were filed which totaled between $100 and $150 billion dollars, most of which happened as a result of organized crime.
“Incredibly, to date, less than four percent of these stolen funds have been recovered. And if we do nothing before March 27th, the statute of limitations to bring these criminal cases against these fraudsters will come to an end and the rest of these taxpayer funds will be lost forever. We cannot allow this to happen, and we must make best efforts to recover these stolen funds.
“Mr. Speaker, make no mistake, the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act is supported by both red and blue states across the country. The National Association of State Workforce Agencies – a nonpartisan association representing all states – endorsed extending the statute of limitations could continue uninterrupted.
“I ask for unanimous consent to submit for the record a letter from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies, dated February 11th, 2025, supporting passage of H.R. 1156.
“Mr. Speaker, this bill gives states the time they need to go after criminals who commit acts of malice and intentional fraud against American taxpayers. As a proud cosponsor of this legislation, I strongly urge my colleagues to stand in support of the American taxpayer and stand in support of passage of this important legislation.”
A one pager of the legislation can be found HERE.
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