Houston Republic

May 11, Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) voted against the disingenuously named Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act, H.R. 1163. 

“The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for an efficient unemployment insurance system to stabilize our economy, protect hardworking Americans who lose their jobs, and assist American families,” said Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher.  “Unemployment benefits have long provided a lifeline for families in our community.  I know this because more than 800 constituents came to me for assistance with unemployment issues during the COVID-19 pandemic.  While I have supported efforts to safeguard unemployment insurance programs, fight fraud, and protect against identity theft, this bill only moves us further from those goals, and for these reasons, I voted no today.” 

If enacted, H.R. 1163 would: 

•    Cut federal investments to fight fraud by $400 million, weakening successful anti-fraud programs and letting criminals off the hook; 

•    Stop the modernization of antiquated unemployment insurance systems in states across the country meant to ensure timely and accurate delivery of benefits to eligible workers; and 

•    Allow states to punish workers who received accidental overpayments through no fault of their own by sending them surprise bills for overpayments of unemployment benefits.

Last Congress, Congresswoman Fletcher voted for the American Rescue Plan Act, which, among other things, provided vital resources for unemployment insurance technology modernization and fraud prevention.  She also voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, which included provisions to expand unemployment benefits.  These bills helped lead to the lowest unemployment rate since 1969, underscoring the actions Congress and the Biden administration took to help our economy recover.

Original source can be found here.