House Votes 295-127 to Extend Statute for COVID Fraud Cases, Addressing $400 Billion Loss

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act, extending the statute of limitations for prosecuting pandemic-era unemployment fraud cases from five to ten years. The legislation seeks to address an estimated $100 billion to $135 billion in fraudulent unemployment insurance claims during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some estimates suggesting losses as high as $400 billion. The Government Accountability Office reports that less than $5 billion has been recovered so far. The bill provides additional time for law enforcement to investigate and prosecute fraudsters, including international actors such as Russian mobsters, Chinese hackers, and Nigerian scammers. The legislation passed with a 295-127 vote, with bipartisan support. However, 127 Democrats opposed the measure, citing concerns about its implications. Proponents argue that the extension is essential to ensure justice and recover stolen taxpayer funds.