The recent child care fraud scandal in Minnesota exposed a twofold problem: first, the blatant and ongoing misuse of taxpayer dollars, and second, that some of these offenders were not even American citizens. A sovereign nation can do better than allowing foreigners into our country to steal money from the American taxpayer. It is clear that Congress must exert its authority to crack down on this abuse. For this reason, I have introduced the Stop Fraud by Strengthening Oversight and More Accountability for Lying and Illegal Activity Act, which will impose just consequences for these offenders.
My legislation, which was introduced with the support of Sens. John Kennedy (R-LA), Rick Scott (R-FL), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), would amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act and impose strict penalties on child care providers who commit fraud. It would require states to repay the federal government for misspent funds and to authorize additional sanctions against fraudsters, including penalties such as debarment for providers found to have committed fraud, and disqualification from receiving CCDBG funds in the future. In addition, my legislation requires offenders to be referred to the Department of Justice for federal criminal investigation and prosecution. These penalties would serve the twofold purpose of restoring stolen funds while deterring future potential fraudsters from engaging in these nefarious crimes.Â
Repayment and prosecution are a necessary first step, but for those who are in our country illegally, additional actions must be taken for justice to be served. My legislation would address criminal immigrants by imposing immigration penalties on those who commit child care fraud. It would authorize the federal government to deport any immigrants who engage in child care fraud and make them inadmissible to the United States. We should not reward alien fraudsters by allowing them to continue living in our country without consequences, and my legislation will ensure that they receive the justice they deserve.
NICK SHIRLEY WARNS CALIFORNIA FRAUD COULD ECLIPSE MINNESOTA IN HOUSE HEARING
I have long been a champion of holding accountable those who commit fraud with taxpayer funds. Last fall, I introduced the LETITIA Act, which will create accountability mechanisms for public officials who commit mortgage fraud. Any fraud is a serious crime, but fraudulent use of taxpayer dollars is an affront to the people I represent who work so hard to put food on their tables. In the same way that those who commit mortgage fraud deserve enhanced criminal penalties, illegal immigrants who create money laundering schemes with funds intended to help vulnerable American citizens deserve consequences. I am working with the relevant committees to ensure my legislation advances through the Senate so that these fraudulent criminals receive just penalties.
Committing fraud with taxpayer dollars intended to help the less fortunate is a serious offense, and those who engage in such activities deserve criminal penalties. Moreover, immigrants who are actively committing fraud in our country must be deported. The hardworking people of Texas that I represent deserve accountability regarding how their tax dollars are spent, and my Stop Fraud by SOMALIA Act will deliver the accountability all Americans deserve.