Press Releases
The Leader’s Floor Lookout: Week of June 1, 2026
Washington,
May 31, 2026
Here’s what to watch for on the House Floor this week:
Holding Fraudulent Child Care Programs Accountable
Low-income families rely on federal child care programs so parents can work, provide for their families, and achieve economic freedom. Congress directs taxpayer dollars to support these programs–not to enrich fraudsters. One such program is the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), which supports over one million children each year. When gaps in oversight of these programs occur, fraudsters can take advantage. Such abuse was uncovered throughout Minnesota–including its now-infamous "Quality Learing Center." Under Governor Tim Walz, so-called child care programs exploited CCDBG funds and abused taxpayer dollars—something Governor Walz admitted his state had known about since 2012. Fraud and abuse of federal child care dollars will not be tolerated and taxpayer funds must be used for their intended purpose, not siphoned off by bad actors. This week, House Republicans are bringing forward H.R. 7726, a package of eight bills to strengthen oversight, increase accountability, restore public trust in the CCDBG, and ensure taxpayer dollars support children and families—not fraudsters. Rep. Mary Miller’s legislation, H.R. 7726, the Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026, requires HHS to withhold funds from states that repeatedly misuse child care dollars, increases state reporting requirements, codifies fraud standards, and imposes stricter penalties on both states and providers found to have misused funds under the CCDBG program. House Republicans are advancing commonsense reforms that protect taxpayers and hold accountable those who use child care programs as a front for fraud. Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) distributes $16.5 billion each year to support low-income families. Yet current law does not require TANF to measure improper payments, leaving billions of taxpayer dollars vulnerable to waste, fraud, and abuse. A 2025 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report found that TANF non-assistance spending—which accounts for 78% of total state spending—lacks key financial controls and oversight, making it especially vulnerable to misuse. House Republicans are advancing reforms to strengthen accountability by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to track improper payments, report them annually, and develop a strategy to prevent fraud. The bill also prevents states from stockpiling TANF funds by imposing a three-year spending deadline and limiting annual reserves to 15% of grant awards. Rep. Mike Carey’s measure, H.R. 8872, the Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act, roots out the abuse of TANF funds by adding safeguards and ensuring that taxpayer dollars are going where they are meant for – low-income families wanting to get back on their feet. By strengthening oversight and cracking down on fraud, House Republicans are working to ensure TANF dollars serve the families they were intended to help.  Rooting out Fraud in Federal Student Aid Federal student aid programs provide loans, grants, and work-study assistance to help students afford a post-secondary education. But increasingly, fraudsters are exploiting the system by posing as fake "ghost students" and stealing taxpayer-funded aid. A lack of financial means should never prevent a student from pursuing an education. Yet every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar that cannot go to a deserving student. In FY24, 9.9 million students received $120.8 billion in aid through the Office of Federal Student Aid. That same year, California online colleges reported that 34% of aid applicants were likely fraudulent, underscoring the need for stronger safeguards. This week, House Republicans are advancing legislation to combat student aid fraud by requiring the Department of Education to use detection systems to identify suspicious FAFSA applications. Flagged applicants would be required to verify their identity through an in-person meeting or video call before receiving aid. In a 2025 pilot program, the Department estimated these safeguards saved taxpayers more than $1 billion. H.R. 7892, the No Aid for Ghost Students Act, by Rep. Burgess Owens, tackles fraud in student aid by requiring the Secretary of Education to use a detection system to review, identify, and investigate suspicious FAFSA applications before any aid is distributed. The legislation also strengthens accountability by prioritizing audits of schools that recklessly distribute aid to unscreened or suspicious applicants. House Republicans will preserve student aid for hardworking and deserving students who have earned it, while carefully protecting federal funds. Responsibly Funding the Agriculture Industry Every day, farmers and ranchers across Rural America work to provide the nation with a safe and reliable food supply. Congress has a responsibility to support them through responsible appropriations. The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027, invests in agricultural research, rural development programs, and food inspection services. It also cuts burdensome Biden-era regulations on livestock producers and provides $8 billion for WIC, helping low-income mothers access healthy foods, including fruits and vegetables. To support President Trump's Make America Healthy Again agenda, the bill provides $7.1 billion for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to strengthen oversight of the nation's food, drug, and medical device supply. The legislation also addresses national security concerns posed by Chinese-owned farmland by increasing oversight of foreign-owned agricultural land. In addition, it invests in land-grant universities to ensure American agricultural research continues to outcompete China. Rep. Andy Harris’s measure, H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agency Appropriations Act, 2027, is on the House floor to protect Americans’ food and drug supply, prioritize Americans’ health, and equip America to compete against our adversaries, while upholding the GOP’s commitment to fiscal responsibility through regular order appropriations. House Republicans remain committed to supporting American agriculture, protecting the food supply, and strengthening our nation's security.  ###
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