Hawley Introduces Bill to Create New Watchdog for Fraud Following Minnesota Revelations

Hawley Introduces Bill to Create New Watchdog for Fraud Following Minnesota Revelations

Thursday, January 15, 2026

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) introduced the Special Inspector General for Program Fraud Act to root out fraud in child assistance programs. The legislation follows revelations that at least half of the $18 billion in federal funds allocated to social services in Minnesota since 2018 may have been subject to fraud. This new inspector general would complement the work of the assistant attorney general for fraud that was recently announced by the Trump Administration.

"After billions of dollars have been lost to fraud in Minnesota, American taxpayers deserve transparency and accountability to ensure their hard-earned tax dollars are not lining the pockets of bad actors," said Senator Hawley. "I am introducing legislation to create a federal watchdog to track every penny of tax dollars spent on child assistance programs. This inspector general will ensure taxpayer resources are spent properly and will support the Administration in their efforts to hold bad actors accountable."

The Special Inspector General for Program Fraud Act:

• Establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for Program Fraud and empowers that office to conduct audits, investigations, and oversight over federally-funded child assistance programs in the United States.
• Directs the Special Inspector General to submit quarterly reports to Congress and make public findings of misuse of taxpayer resources.
• Directs the Special Inspector General to refer any evidence of criminal activity to the Department of Justice for further action, and if necessary, prosecution.

Read the full bill text here.

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