Miller-Meeks' WALZ Act Would Have Prevented A lot of the Fraud We've Seen in Past Four Years

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the Department’s FY27 budget. During the hearing, Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01) questioned the Secretary on key issues impacting Iowans, including rural healthcare, affordability, and waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs.

During her questioning, Congresswoman Miller-Meeks highlighted her legislation, the Welfare Abuse and Laundering Zillions (WALZ) Act, which would require HHS’ Office of Inspector General to investigate any program experiencing a 10% or greater increase in total payments over a six-month period within a fiscal year. The bill eliminates bureaucratic discretion to ignore sudden spikes in spending, often a key indicator of fraud, particularly in large entitlement programs.

Secretary Kennedy expressed strong support for the legislation, stating, “The bill is a great idea… it would have prevented a lot of the fraud we’ve seen in the last four years.”

More information on the WALZ Act:

• Enhance Verification and Real‑Time Audits: Implement robust verification standards and real‑time financial audits on programs that disburse federal and state funds, closing loopholes exploited by fraudsters.
• Trigger Mandatory Investigations: Unexplained spikes in claims — like those seen in Minnesota, would automatically prompt federal and state investigators to examine program accounts immediately.
• Strengthen Accountability for State Agencies: Require clear reporting, documentation checks, and consequences for failures in oversight, eliminating the “rubber‑stamped” approvals that allow fraud to flourish.
• Protect Benefits for Legitimate Recipients: Direct resources only to verified beneficiaries and legitimate service providers, ensuring funds reach the people programs are intended to help.
• Establish Uniform National Safeguards: Set a national standard for transparency and anti‑fraud protections that states must meet to receive federal funding.

To watch Congresswoman Miller-Meeks' Full Line of Questioning Click HERE.