May 20, 2026

Washington, D.C. — Taxpayers for Common Sense supports H.R. 8872, the Preventing Waste, Fraud and Abuse in TANF Act. With our national debt exceeding $39 trillion, Congress must ensure every federal dollar, whether it is administered by a federal agency or a state partner, is delivered as effectively and efficiently as possible. By extending the payment transparency and reporting requirements of the Payment Integrity Information Act of 2019 to state agencies administering federal dollars through TANF, H.R. 8872 reflects the kind of commonsense stewardship that taxpayers expect and that vulnerable families deserve. 

Improper overpayments, whether the result of fraud, administrative error, or inadequate oversight, represent money that should never have left the Treasury. Every dollar recovered or prevented from being improperly disbursed is a dollar that can be directed toward its intended purpose or returned to taxpayers. Reducing improper payments is a straightforward, fiscally responsible step toward a more efficient and accountable government that works for taxpayers. 

Fiscal responsibility is not about reducing the size of government. It is about ensuring that every dollar spent works as intended. Waste and fraud erode public trust in government programs and make it harder to defend necessary investments in vulnerable populations. By cracking down on improper payments, H.R. 8872 strengthens the case that federal assistance programs can be administered efficiently and with integrity. We urge Congress to advance this legislation without delay and to expand efforts to rein in improper payments in other government programs.

###
About Taxpayers for Common Sense:
Taxpayers for Common Sense is a nonpartisan budget watchdog committed to eliminating wasteful spending and promoting fiscal transparency and accountability.