Rep. Walorski Leads Roundtable on Combating Pandemic Unemployment Insurance Fraud

MISHAWAKA, Indiana, Feb. 23 -- Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Indiana, issued the following news:

U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.), the Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, this week led a roundtable discussion exposing vast abuses of unemployment insurance (UI) and rampant fraud - at a steep cost to American taxpayers.

During the Republican roundtable entitled "$80 Billion (and Counting) in Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Part II," Congresswoman Walorski called on Ways and Means Committee Democrats to investigate this fraud and fulfill the committee's key oversight responsibilities.

"The White House recently estimated a 19 percent improper payment rate in the federal-state UI program, equating to nearly $80 billion in lost funds in fiscal year 2021 alone. This is only a partial estimate," said Congresswoman Walorski. "The truth is we don't know the size and scope of unemployment fraud, or the full extent of federal law enforcement efforts to prosecute and recover funds. Democrats simply aren't interested in fulfilling their responsibility to investigate fraud in federal programs."

Congresswoman Walorski, alongside Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Kevin Brady (R-Texas) and Oversight Subcommittee Ranking Member Tom Rice (R-S.C.), yesterday sent a letter to Chairman Richard Neal (D-Mass.) urging the Majority to hold oversight hearings to determine the extent and amount of fraud in CARES Act UI programs, including preventing further abuse and recovery of taxpayer dollars.

"With new reports of fraud surfacing daily, there is too much at stake for us not to act. In the absence of leadership from the Majority, we will continue to highlight and investigate pandemic unemployment fraud to provide the transparency and government accountability that American taxpayers deserve," Congresswoman Walorski continued.

Watch Congresswoman Walorski's Opening Remarks: https://youtu.be/ElrTEm76dnU

Find more information about the roundtable, including expert witnesses, and watch the full discussion HERE (https://gop-waysandmeans.house.gov/event/republican-meeting-80-billion-and-counting-in-pandemic-unemployment-fraud-part-ii/).

Walorski represents the 2nd Congressional District of Indiana, serving as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Ranking Member of the House Ethics Committee.