Fed loses billions to fraud

As part of my commitment to making government more efficient for Iowans, I introduced the Protecting American Taxpayers from Wasteful Spending Act, which would codify President Trump’s recent executive order to improve the Treasury Department’s ability to screen for improper payments and fraud.

The federal government loses between $233 billion and $521 billion — yes, that’s billion — annually to fraud due to inadequate data and outdated systems. This is absolutely unconscionable to American taxpayers, and swamp bureaucrats aren’t even batting an eye.

Our government can’t even pass an audit. If a company was running the way the U.S. government is running now, they’d have to step back and make substantial changes to get things back on track. That’s exactly what this administration is doing, [what] Gov. Reynolds is doing, and it has been one of my biggest priorities, so Iowans can feel confident that their hard-earned taxpayer dollars are not being treated like monopoly money.

President Trump’s Executive Order to prevent improper payments is a great step to end this abuse, and my bill will make this effort permanent to ensure your hard-earned tax dollars are not wasted.

  Buy Photo

This week (April 11), I proudly joined my Republican colleagues in passing the No Rogue Rulings Act to put an end to activist district judges single-handedly overturning President Trump’s agenda that 77 million Americans voted for.

The courts are an important check and balance in our democracy. However, activist lower court judges have repeatedly issued politically motivated nationwide injunctions to obstruct the Trump administration’s mission to save our country.

A great example of this is U.S. District Court Judge James Boasberg, who ordered planes carrying dangerous illegal immigrants to turn around midair back to the United States, even after President Trump and President Bukele of El Salvador negotiated an agreement to deport these illegals.

Thankfully, the No Rogue Rulings Act will ensure District Court judges cannot issue nationwide injunctions and end this latest judicial weaponization tactic.

Yesterday (April 10), I voted for the Safeguarding American Voter Eligibility Act, which passed the House with bipartisan support. This legislation is essential to ensure our elections are protected for generations to come.

Voting in our elections is a sacred right for American citizens. After years of Biden allowing millions of illegal aliens into our country, Democrats are trying to maintain loopholes that allow illegal immigrants to register to vote.

On the way to cast my vote, I took a moment to address some of the lies and fearmongering that have spread about this bill. The Left claims the SAVE Act would prohibit married women — or anyone who has changed their name — from voting. This is 100% false. I legally changed my name when I got married. In this bill, states are explicitly directed to make accommodations for circumstances just like this one.

We must fight back against this transparent political ploy and sign the SAVE Act into law to protect the integrity of our elections.

While traveling the district, I visited Candice Luter Art + Interiors in Cedar Rapids. Candice turned her passion into a nationwide success story, selling her designs across the country where they continue flying off shelves.

I'm proud to advocate for Iowa’s small businesses in Congress, and I always enjoy taking these stories back to Washington.

I also attended the St. Patrick Catholic Church Fish Fry in Cedar Rapids. This tradition brings communities together during Lenten season for an evening of faith, fellowship, and fantastic food.

I'm thankful to everyone at St. Patrick’s for the warm welcome and great conservations.

I traveled to Hiawatha to attend the USS Iowa commissioning watch party. I got to hear some incredible stories and share the special occasion with some of our nation's greatest heroes who understand better than anyone the meaning of serving our country.

I recently gave a speech on the House Floor to honor the commissioning of the U.S. Navy’s state-of-the-art nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Iowa.

This vessel represents not only the strength, innovation, and unwavering commitment of our naval warfighters, but the heart and tenacity of Iowans. And in it, you will find unique nods to our state, highlighting Iowa agriculture, our leadership in education and energy production.