07/09/2010

WASHINGTON, DC - Senator John McCain (R-AZ) celebrated the U.S. Senate's passage of The Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act June 23.

The bill, sponsored by Senators Carper, Lieberman, Collins, McCaskill, and Coburn in the Senate and Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA) in the House, requires federal agencies to identify and recover the estimated $98 billion of taxpayer dollars lost annually due to improper payments. The Senate bill will now be sent to the House for their approval and then to the President's desk for his signature.

"Each year, the federal government washes billions of taxpayer dollars down the drain through improper payments. This waste is even more unconscionable in the present economy, as American families and businesses are struggling financially," said Senator John McCain.

"With an ever-increasing federal government budget and record deficit, we need to exercise greater fiscal responsibility. I'm pleased to co-sponsor this legislation requiring federal agencies to identify improper payments and take appropriate corrective actions."

"I'd like to thank my colleagues for recognizing the necessity of this legislation to reduce our nation's growing deficit by curbing fraud and abuse throughout government agencies," said Sen. Carper. "Our legislation will help save millions of taxpayer dollars by requiring federal agencies to identify and recover improper payments.

Agencies will have to be more aggressive in adopting proven strategies to root out waste, fraud and abuse. In addition to requiring agencies to identify and recover improper payments, we're giving agencies the tools to prevent wasteful spending from happening in the first place. I'm happy to see two key additions to the final bill that will take a stronger stance on identifying fraud and eliminating errors that cause overpayments by federal agencies. I look forward seeing the bill signed into law by the President in the near future."
 

"As we work to reduce the budget deficit, we must also continue to reduce and recover erroneous payments made by federal agencies," said Senator Joe Lieberman. "This bill will not only accomplish that but also boost transparency and help prevent future improper payments from programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, which are so crucial to America's future. Such payments have climbed to almost $100 billion, and in this era of debt and deficits, that is simply unacceptable. I am proud to join my colleagues in passing such fiscally responsible legislation." "The federal government has a responsibility to spend taxpayer dollars wisely, and we must guard against the risk of improper federal payments," said Sen. Susan Collins. "Our legislation improves current law by increasing reporting requirements for programs that have been identified as vulnerable to improper payments and it mandates the increased use of audits. Additionally, any monies recovered during the auditing process of entitlement and tax credit programs would be returned for their designated use. This change is important in order to help ensure that entitlement and tax credit program beneficiaries, such as Social Security recipients, receive appropriate funding."


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