Bonuses for Cost-Cutters and Fraud Preventers Act of 2026

Floor Speech

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Mr. FLEISCHMANN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this bill. Let me begin by stating a straightforward fact: The Federal Government spends excessively, and much of these funds are wasted. The Bonuses for Cost- Cutters and Fraud Preventers Act of 2026 offers a practical solution to ensure that taxpayers' hard-earned dollars are wisely managed and efficiently.

This legislation takes our existing Federal rewards program, a program that already rewards employees who identify fraud, waste, and mismanagement, and expands it. Under this legislation, any Federal employee who identifies wasteful operational expenses that an agency itself determines are not required for its stated purpose can bring that information forward. The agency will then be required to propose those funds for rescission. On top of that, we double the maximum cash award available to employees who identify wasteful spending.

Federal employees are often the first to recognize when funds are allocated to outdated programs or when bureaucratic practices prioritize institutional interests over those of taxpayers. For too long, there has been no incentive to speak up, and in some cases real disincentives have existed. This bill addresses that issue.

Tennessee's Third District, my district, is home to thousands of dedicated Federal employees at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and other Federal sites throughout our region.

These hard-working public servants take their responsibility to taxpayers seriously. H.R. 428 honors their commitment by giving them a meaningful role in eliminating waste and rewarding them for delivering results to the people who fund our government.

We are taking these steps at a critical moment. The American people have given us a clear mandate to rein in spending. This administration is actively working to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse across the Federal Government.

The efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency reflect the same mandate, and H.R. 428 supports that mission by establishing a permanent statutory framework that will endure beyond any one administration.

It is also important to emphasize that this is not a partisan bill. Taxpayers in Tennessee, and across the Nation, regardless of party, do not want their money wasted. They expect a government that is accountable, efficient, and worthy of their trust.

I have worked on this legislation for years, and I am proud that the Oversight Committee has advanced it.

Mr. Speaker, I say to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, this is a commonsense, fiscally responsible, pro-taxpayer bill. I urge everyone to support it.

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