Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) signed on to the Combatting COVID Unemployment Fraud Act of 2021 (HR 3268). This bill aims to prevent fraud in COVID-19 unemployment programs, recover fraudulently paid benefits, and provide relief for taxpayers and victims of unemployment fraud.
Top officials at the Labor Department estimate that at least $63 billion, and as much as $89 billion, in unemployment benefits have been improperly paid since March 2020, largely due to fraud. The true amount is unknown.
“Since COVID-19 began, some individuals have taken advantage of the COVID unemployment programs, causing fraud and abusing hardworking taxpayer dollars. This bill will prevent future abuse of this program by combatting fraud on the front end, and it will help recover the benefits that were fraudulently paid out. Congress has a responsibility to protect American families and businesses, especially as we rebuild from the pandemic,” said Rep. Kustoff.
Original source can be found here.
