[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 33 (Wednesday, March 3, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E333]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      H.R. 436, THE GOVERNMENT WASTE, FRAUD & ERROR REDUCTION ACT

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                           HON. DIANA DeGETTE

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 3, 1999

  Ms. DeGETTE. Mr. Speaker, Congress acted responsibly to reduce 
government waste last week, voting 419-1 to pass H.R. 436, the 
Government Waste, Fraud & Error Reduction Act.
  This common-sense measure empowers federal agencies to collect 
delinquent debt and it bars individuals from receiving aid or 
participating in federal programs if they have refused to pay back 
money borrowed from the government. This tough-on-debt approach is 
justified for individuals who knowingly seek the assistance of the 
Federal Government, but choose to defraud taxpayers by not paying back 
their debts. On a yearly basis, Congress will receive reports from 
federal agencies detailing debt collection procedures and outstanding 
debts of $1 million or more. With reinvigorated, streamlined debt 
collection mechanisms in place, the Federal Government will be able to 
use hard-earned taxpayer money more efficiently.
  One important provision of H.R. 436 will allow social security 
benefits to be scaled back for individuals who owe large amounts of 
child support. For many working and single-parent families, child 
support payments are essential ingredients for success in raising 
children. I believe this bill will ease the burden on working families.
  I was pleased to support this legislation and make good on my pledge 
to reduce government waste whenever possible.

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