Senate Republicans have introduced a sweeping anti-fraud legislative package that takes direct aim at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, using his name as the centerpiece of a bill designed to crack down on welfare fraud. The legislation, titled the Welfare Abuse and Laundering Zillions (WALZ) Act, is part of a broader 12-figure package projected to save taxpayers approximately $240 billion. The move comes as fraud-related hearings continue on Capitol Hill, with journalists testifying about alleged mismanagement in Minnesota's Feeding Our Futures program.
The WALZ Act, sponsored by Senator Roger Marshall of Kansas, requires federal payments to states to be made as reimbursements only after services have been proven to have been provided. Critics argue that Minnesota failed to adequately police such processes, leading to significant fraud. The bill also mandates that if a state program receiving federal funding sees a six-month increase in disbursements of more than 10 percent, the Department of Health and Human Services inspector general must investigate that program. This provision is intended to prevent future abuse and ensure accountability.
Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa, a key architect of the broader package, emphasized the urgency of addressing what she described as a crime spree against taxpayers. While hardworking Americans are struggling to make ends meet, fraudsters are getting away with ripping off $1.4 billion of taxpayer money every single day, Ernst said in a statement. Her contribution to the package, the Returning Unspent COVID Funds Act, would claw back more than $65 billion in federally disbursed COVID funds, now six years after the height of the pandemic. Ernst argued that this would prevent future abuse of those funds and bring the crime spree to an end.
The anti-fraud package extends beyond domestic welfare programs. Senator Tim Sheehy of Montana introduced the No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act, which would instruct the State Department to implement a process to discourage NGOs and foreign nations from financially supporting the Taliban, including via U.S.-provided foreign assistance. Additionally, Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio proposed a bill requiring individuals who send wire transfers and remittances abroad to certify that they are not already on public assistance. This measure aims to protect taxpayers from welfare funds being shifted to other countries. For decades, Washington's failed welfare program rewarded dependency while enabling fraudsters and criminals to exploit the system, Moreno said in a statement.
Other components of the package include the Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act from Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky, which would allow federal employees who uncover fraud or waste to claim monetary rewards from the government. Senator Todd Young of Indiana introduced the Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act, which would prevent previously convicted fraudsters from receiving Small Business Administration funds. Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma contributed legislation to extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting COVID fraudsters, ensuring that those who exploited pandemic relief programs can still be held accountable.
The package has garnered support from several Republican senators, including David McCormick of Pennsylvania, Charles Grassley of Iowa, Jim Justice of West Virginia, John Kennedy of Louisiana, and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming. A source familiar with Senate procedure indicated that Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota could tee up a vote by filing cloture as early as late this week, potentially advancing the legislation through the chamber.
Fox News Digital reached out to Governor Walz for comment on the use of his name in the legislation, but no response was provided. The package reflects a broader Republican effort to address government waste and fraud, with lawmakers arguing that the public's patience with such abuses is wearing thin. As Ernst put it, Government grift and graft is endless, but the public's patience isn't and neither is mine.
