Covid Fraud Transparency Act of 2026

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the COVID Fraud Transparency Act of 2026, as amended, and I applaud Chairman Williams and Representative Latimer for their efforts to increase reporting on COVID fraud.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Small Business Administration stepped in and served as a critical lifeline to small businesses. The SBA distributed more than $1.2 trillion of economic aid and executed 14 years' worth of lending in 14 days, keeping millions of businesses afloat.

I had the opportunity to see the impact of that lending firsthand, as I was serving as Baltimore County executive prior to my time joining Congress. However, in an effort to disburse funds quickly, we know the SBA also weakened or eliminated internal controls, which allowed fraudsters to exploit those weaknesses and steal billions of dollars from the American taxpayers.

Better oversight begins with better information, and the legislation we consider here today will provide the committee with the data it needs to conduct better oversight.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 826, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I close by underscoring that the single most effective tool for combating fraud is fully funding the SBA Office of Inspector General. I support this bill because it will enhance accountability, but we cannot overlook the fact that it is one part of a broader solution.

We must continue to strengthen oversight, improve data quality, and ensure that the IG has the resources it needs to detect and prevent fraud before it occurs. I look forward to working with my colleagues to do exactly that.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman again for bringing this bill forward. I lend my support to H.R. 826, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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