Rep. Fitzgerald Votes to Strengthen Federal Fight Against Fraud

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05) issued the following statements in response to the passage of two critical pieces of legislation today: the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 and the Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds (PROOF) Act.

On the National Fraud Enforcement Division Act:

"American taxpayers work too hard to have their money siphoned away by fraudsters," said Congressman Fitzgerald. "This legislation gives the Department of Justice a permanent structure dedicated to going after major fraud schemes and holding those who steal from taxpayers accountable. There is zero excuse for not taking fraud seriously and the House of Representatives took action today to guarantee the DOJ can continue shutting these schemes down."

Background: This bill codifies the National Fraud Enforcement Division in federal law. This is critical to ensure the Department of Justice has a permanent structure focused on major fraud investigations and prosecutions to protect taxpayer dollars.

On the PROOF Act:

"Federal investigators can't crack down on fraud if they can't get the information needed to uncover it," said Congressman Fitzgerald. "The PROOF Act closes critical information gaps and gives DOJ the ability to access state program data when investigating fraud cases. If someone is stealing from a taxpayer-funded program, it's a no-brainer that investigators should have the tools to find them, follow the money, and hold them accountable."

Background: This bill requires states provide program data when the Attorney General makes a written request related to a fraud investigation or prosecution. This applies to Medicaid, SNAP, unemployment benefits, pandemic relief, disaster assistance, housing programs, broadband funding, and other federally funded state programs determined to be vulnerable to fraud.

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