On Tuesday, Congressman Rudy Yakym (R-IN-02), along with Congressman Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), and Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA-50) introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen transparency and accuracy in improper payment reporting that will reduce waste and fraud.
The Improper Payments Transparency Act (H.R. 1771) would direct the president's budget request to Congress to include the amounts and rates of improper payments at each executive agency, year-over-year trends, a detailed explanation of trends and a summary of any corrective actions taken to address improper payments. Yakym and colleagues say including this key data in the budget would correct the gaps in improper payment reporting, which in turn would streamline funding to essential government programs and reduce wasteful use of taxpayer dollars.
"Government waste and fraud continue to drain taxpayer dollars at an alarming rate, undermining public trust and fiscal responsibility. I'm proud to reintroduce this common sense, bipartisan bill to increase transparency and combat improper payments," Yakym said. "The American people deserve full transparency and accountability in how their hard-earned money is spent, and this legislation is a crucial step toward ensuring responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds."
“I’m proud to join Rep. Yakym in introducing this vital legislation to rein in out-of-control spending of taxpayer dollars in Washington," Bergman said. “To get our country back on a fiscally responsible track and ensure Americans are keeping more of their hard-earned money, we must quickly eliminate waste within the federal government. The Improper Payments Transparency Act is a great step in the right direction, and I encourage all of my colleagues to join this effort.”
“Over the past two decades, the federal government has made more than $2.8 trillion in improper payments, errors that waste taxpayer dollars and undermine public trust,” Panetta said. "Our bipartisan Improper Payments Transparency Act would ensure the President’s annual budget request provides detailed reporting on these payments, giving Congress and the American people a clearer picture of where and why these mistakes happen. This is the right way to go about increasing transparency and by shedding light on improper payments, we take another step toward responsible stewardship of taxpayer funds.”
"According to the Government Accountability Office, federal agencies have made $2.8 trillion in improper payments since 2003. Some have used this to claim we spend trillions on fraud and justify firing inspectors general who do real oversight," Peters said. "In reality, many improper payments happen because well-meaning doctors miscode services when submitting mountains of paperwork to Medicare, or because a Social Security beneficiary didn't receive their check in the correct amount. We do need government efficiency, but we need to do it in a way that is within the bounds of the law. The Improper Payments Transparency Act will ensure future Presidents' budget requests include more detail on what is actually happening with improper payments — so Congress can start doing its job."
Full text of the legislation can be found here.
Sherlock Holmes to the stage at Parke Heritage this weekend
Indiana AG warns of human trafficking during Final Four
Police find man hiding in attic
Billie Creek Village ready for another season
Voter registration deadline April 6
Flags ordered to half-staff for Captain Seth Koval
Conrady seeks Rockville Town Board seat
Peebles looks to keep Vermillion County Commissioner seat
Indiana launches enforcement campaign to target distracted driving and speeding
Indianapolis Indians named title partner of the 2026 Indiana State Fair
Carlisle man leads Parke County officers, others on chase
Game audio: 2A State Championship, Parke Heritage 57, Westview 56 (Air date March 28, 2026)
Parke Heritage captures first ever state championship
New Space Force license plate design
Indiana announces launch of enhanced system for Hoosier military and overseas voters
Wolves look to take final step in 2A title game
