Congressman Pat Harrigan Votes to Hold Pandemic Fraudsters Accountable

Contact: Lexi Kranich (814) 380-4408

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, Congressman Pat Harrigan (NC-10) voted to pass H.R. 1156, the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act, which extends the statute of limitations to ensure those who defrauded pandemic-era unemployment programs can still be prosecuted. The bill passed the House with strong support.

“The American people deserve accountability. In the rush to respond to the pandemic, Washington’s reckless spending created an open season for fraud, and criminals lined up to cash in. Billions of taxpayer dollars were stolen—funneled into fraudulent claims while hardworking families struggled. This bill ensures justice does not expire with the calendar. The thieves who exploited these programs must face the full weight of the law, and we must recover what was stolen,” said Congressman Harrigan.

H.R. 1156 amends the CARES Act to extend the statute of limitations for fraud involving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC), and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) to 10 years. This extension gives law enforcement the time needed to investigate, prosecute, and reclaim stolen taxpayer dollars that would otherwise be lost due to statutory deadlines.

Congressman Harrigan is calling on the Senate to act swiftly, ensuring that fraudsters do not escape justice simply because of bureaucratic time limits.