Utah Valley Times

In a significant development in Washington, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Mitt Romney and Gary Peters to bolster oversight of federal funds vulnerable to fraud has advanced in the Senate. The bill, which aims to combat and prevent fraud in government spending, has cleared the committee stage and is now set for consideration by the full Senate.

Senator Mitt Romney emphasized the importance of leveraging data analytics to protect taxpayer dollars, stating, “With the national debt now exceeding $34 trillion, Congress should pursue commonsense solutions—like leveraging data analytics—to combat fraud and protect taxpayer dollars.” Meanwhile, Senator Gary Peters highlighted the responsibility of ensuring efficient and effective government operations, stating, “It’s our responsibility to ensure government is working efficiently and effectively for the American people. One of the simplest ways to do that is to ensure taxpayer money is going to good use.”

The proposed legislation has garnered support from key figures in the government oversight arena. PRAC Chair Michael E. Horowitz praised the bill as an essential tool in fighting fraud, stating, “I support the bipartisan legislation, the 'Government Spending Oversight Act of 2024,' which represents an important step forward in maintaining this valuable fraud prevention and fraud fighting tool.” Gene Dodaro, Comptroller General of the U.S. Government Accountability Office, also commended the bill for enhancing accountability and transparency over federal funds.

The bill, known as the Government Spending Oversight Act of 2024, is aimed at extending the analytics capabilities of the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee (PRAC) beyond its current termination date in 2025. The establishment of the Government Spending Oversight Committee would enable enhanced coordination with Inspectors General to support investigations, reviews, and audits, ultimately safeguarding taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse.

The legislation represents a proactive step towards improving the integrity of federal programs and ensuring that federal funds are allocated efficiently to benefit the communities in need.