Lubbock Times

Last week, the House Budget Committee marked up five additional budget process reform bills, including H.R. 8343, the "Enhancing Improper Payment Accountability Act of 2024." The bill was favorably reported by the House Budget Committee on a bipartisan vote of 18 ayes to 7 nays.

The "Enhancing Improper Payment Accountability Act," sponsored by Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), would impose timely reporting requirements for new federal spending programs that dispense more than $100 million annually in their initial years of operation. Enactment of H.R. 8343 would also require the President’s annual budget request to disclose information on agencies and programs that are non-compliant with reporting requirements.

Stakeholders and industry experts urging swift passage of H.R. 8343 include:

Linda Miller from Audient Group stated, “The Enhancing Improper Payment Accountability Act enhances accountability and transparency by renewing the requirements for agencies to proactively manage their risks to fraud, enacting the reporting requirements for new programs with $100 million or more in new spending, and uncovering barriers to reporting for current programs.”

Michele Stockwell from BPC Action commented, “BPC Action applauds Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT) and Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) for their leadership in introducing the Enhancing Improper Payment Accountability Act. Improper payments across federal programs continue to undermine Americans’ faith in key public services. This legislation is an important step forward by codifying GAO recommendations to create more timely reporting requirements that will help lawmakers get the information they need to prevent improper payments in the future. We look forward to working with Congress to enact this legislation.”

Maya MacGuineas from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget remarked, “With our national debt skyrocketing and interest costs exploding, our country’s fiscal future is in jeopardy. We commend Representative Moore (R-UT) and the House Budget Committee for working to reduce the deficit by shrinking improper payments. While we will ultimately need to address the major drivers of our debt, all deficit reduction is welcome news, and reducing improper payments can also improve program performance and trust in government."

Haywood Talcove from LexisNexis Risk Solutions expressed his support: “I am writing to express my strong support for the 'Enhancing Improper Payment Accountability Act,' which you are introducing in the House of Representatives. This bill represents a critical first step forward in our collective efforts to address the pressing issue of improper payments within federal programs. As Warren Buffet insightfully noted during his shareholder meeting, 'artificial intelligence scams could become the growth industry of all time.' This underscores the urgency and relevance of our initiatives to combat such emerging threats.”

Demian Brady from National Taxpayers Union Foundation added, “By requiring federal agencies to strengthen reporting requirements of programs vulnerable to significant improper payments, Moore and Spanberger's reform bill aims to curb wasteful spending. The bipartisan Enhancing Improper Payment Accountability Act advances fiscal responsibility and safeguards taxpayer funds.”

David Williams from Taxpayers Protection Alliance stated, “On behalf of millions of taxpayers and consumers, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) writes to you in support of your legislation, the Enhancing Improper Payment Accountability Act. Cracking down on fraudulent and wasteful spending is critical as the nation tries to tackle its $34 trillion national debt. By installing these meaningful reporting requirements on potentially improper spending, this bill will help Congress conduct valuable oversight that American taxpayers have elected you to do.”