Berks County News

Congressman Dan Meuser has introduced the Payment Information Integrity Reform Act, a legislative effort designed to address improper payments by federal agencies. In 2023, these agencies were responsible for $236 billion in payments deemed improper due to fraud, errors, and failures in maintaining eligibility standards.

The act aims to enhance oversight and impose penalties on noncompliant federal agencies to ensure that taxpayer funds are used correctly. Congressman Meuser stated, "Thanks to President Trump’s leadership and the work of Elon Musk and the DOGE team, we’ve already uncovered $55 billion—and counting—in waste across the federal government, but the problem runs far deeper."

Key components of the bill include creating a Director of Improper Payment Mitigation within the Office of Federal Financial Management at OMB to address overpayments. It also calls for stricter financial management plans by federal agencies and imposes budget reductions on those that do not comply with payment integrity laws.

Additionally, states receiving federal funds for major entitlement programs must adopt federal fraud prevention tools or repay any overpayments. The legislation also seeks to expand the Treasury’s Do Not Pay system to prevent payments to ineligible recipients.

Since 2003, improper payments by executive branch agencies have amounted to an estimated $2.7 trillion, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The proposed legislation introduces financial consequences for failing agencies and aims to ensure responsible use of taxpayer money.

The Payment Information Integrity Reform Act has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.