Hinson Introduces Bill Codifying Trump Admin EO Targeting Waste, Fraud, and Abuse

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-IA) introduced the Protecting American Taxpayers from Wasteful Spending Act, which would codify President Trump's executive order from March 25th, 2025, promoting financial integrity, transparency, and efficiency by improving the Department of the Treasury’s ability to screen for improper payments and fraud, track transactions, and manage the government’s disbursements.

"It is absurd the federal government wastes up to $521 billion – that’s right, billion, – in taxpayer dollars each year in improper payments. That’s hundreds of billions of your tax dollars flushed down the drain without swamp bureaucrats blinking an eye. President Trump’s Executive Order to prevent improper payments is a great step to end this abuse, and my bill will make this effort permanent to ensure your hard-earned tax dollars are not wasted.” – Congresswoman Ashley Hinson

Background:

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) estimates the Federal Government loses between $233 billion and $521 billion annually to fraud due to inadequate data and outdated systems.

The Protecting American Taxpayers from Wasteful Spending Act codifies President Trump’s Executive Order (EO) 14249 (90 Fed. Reg. 14011) to protect America’s bank account against fraud, waste, and abuse.

Executive Order 14249 (90 Fed. Reg. 14011):

• Directs the Treasury Department in consultation with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to establish pre-certification and pre-award verification procedures that all agencies should comply with for payments made by the Treasury on behalf of agencies.
  • These procedures include ensuring full funds are available prior to obligations, verifying payee and payment information, and confirming that specific funds are used for the appropriate purposes.
• Minimizes administrative barriers to accessing data to prevent fraud and improper payments, and to verify payment information to the extent permitted by the law.
• Directs agencies to consolidate financial systems.
• Centralizes disbursing authority within the Treasury Department by reducing non-treasury disbursing offices (NTDO).
• Requires agencies to submit compliance plans detailing their strategies for transitioning disbursing authority, updating and integrating systems with Treasury Department, transmitting information on improper payments to Treasury Department, and verifying payment information.

This bill was first covered by Washington Examiner here. Full bill text can be found here.