WASHINGTON, D.C. — Extending the statute of limitations on pandemic era fraudsters who stole billions of dollars during one of America’s darkest hours should have been a bi-partisan effort.
It wasn’t.
New Jersey Democrat Robert Menendez led the charge in D.C., along with other New Jersey Democrats in a wider effort by the party to block the bill’s passage. That effort failed.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Pandemic Unemployment Fraud Enforcement Act on Tuesday, extending the statute of limitations for prosecuting COVID-era unemployment fraud from five to ten years. The bill, which received bipartisan support, aims to ensure those who stole pandemic relief funds are held accountable and taxpayer money is recovered.
New Jersey’s congressional delegation was split on the vote. Democrats Frank Pallone Jr., Robert Menendez, Lamonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman voted against the bill, while Republicans Tom Kean, Chris Smith, and Jeff Van Drew supported it. Democrat Donald Norcross did not vote.
The legislation comes just 16 days before the original statute of limitations begins to expire on March 27, potentially jeopardizing ongoing and future prosecutions. Government estimates suggest between $100 billion and $400 billion in pandemic unemployment insurance benefits were stolen, with only $5 billion recovered so far.
“This is a must-pass bill,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO). “If we don’t extend it, the criminals who stole money from the pockets of taxpayers – and continue to do so to this day – will get away.”
Despite Democratic opposition in committee, 83 House Democrats ultimately supported the measure on the floor. The bill now moves to the Senate as lawmakers race against the approaching deadline.
Mikie Sherrill and Josh Gottheimer, both running for governor, broke ties with the Democrat party’s blockade of bi-partisanship in Congress.
With billions in stolen taxpayer dollars at stake, the House’s vote sets the stage for a crucial Senate battle over extending fraud prosecutions.