EXCLUSIVE: Sen. James Lankford Goes For Jugular Of Over $100,000,000,000 In Blue State Unemployment Fraud

Republican Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford is introducing a bill Thursday aimed at eradicating fraud from unemployment programs, particularly in blue states.

Lankford is introducing The Stop Unemployment Fraud Act to reform the joint federal-state Unemployment Insurance (UI) program following the hundreds of billions in fraudulent unemployment payments made during the height of the layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill would strengthen the program and ensure only those eligible and in need would be able to benefit from the system.

“Making the government more efficient isn’t a partisan issue, it’s an American issue,” Lankford told the 🏢Daily Caller News Foundation in a statement.

The bill would make UI applicants verify their identity and would only allow UI payments once eligibility is determined, requiring states to use the Integrity Data Hub — a fraud alert center — to crossmatch unemployment claimants. It will also strengthen work search requirements and direct the Department of Labor to monitor state compliance with work requirements.

The bill would also incentivize states to recover improper payments from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Republican Pennsylvania Rep. Lloyd Smucker, who has longcalled for UI reform, is introducing the legislation in the House. Twelve Republican lawmakers are cosponsoring the legislation in the lower chamber, and Republican Sens. Mike Crapo of Idaho, Bill Cassidy of Louisiana and Steve Daines