Walkinshaw Amendment Requires Federal Agencies to Prove Fraud Prevention Efforts Are Effective

Washington, D.C. – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) advanced an amendment in the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to ensure federal agencies are held accountable for the effectiveness of their efforts to prevent fraud tied to funds released in the wake of national emergencies. The amendment requires any agency that obligates emergency supplemental funds to submit a formal after-action review within 180 days, in consultation with their Inspector General. Agencies must document whether their fraud controls worked, identify every gap and failure, account for taxpayer money lost to improper payments, and lay out a plan to get it back. OMB must incorporate findings into government-wide oversight reporting to Congress, building a record of what works and what doesn't before the next emergency hits. “When emergencies hit and billions of federal funds go out the door, Americans deserve to know their money is protected and not lost to fraud and improper payments.,” said Congressman Walkinshaw . “This amendment requires agencies to show their work. A real accounting of whether their controls worked, what failed, and what taxpayer money was lost. I’m proud to build on the strong bipartisan foundation that Representatives Biggs and Subramanyam have laid.” Walkinshaw's amendment was advanced as part of H.R. 8466, bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Andy Biggs (AZ-05) and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) requiring federal agencies to develop internal control plans in advance of national emergencies. ###