Reporter's Notebook: GOP bets on fraud crackdown as economic woes surge ahead of midterms
The GOP’s campaign message about a porous border resonated with voters in 2024. Voters routinely listed border security as the first or second most important issue to them in multiple polls ahead of the last election.
But how about ahead of the midterms?
Well, the border is sealed. The nation’s economic outlook is shaky as the war in Iran drags on. Gas prices are skyrocketing. And the hallmark of President Donald Trump’s legislative agenda — The One Big Beautiful Bill — hasn’t materialized as a campaign juggernaut.
HEALTHCARE, ECONOMY AND THE 'ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL': WELCOME TO THE MIDTERMS
So Republicans are seeking an issue they hope will connect with voters this fall.
They may have settled on fraud. And returned to a favorite old punching bag.
"I'm just going to give you a couple facts," declared House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain, R-Mich., at the GOP’s weekly press conference Wednesday morning. "The Biden Administration thought it was really important to spend $20 million for Sesame Street in the Middle East. They gave $8 million to make mice transgender."
McClain continued about the Biden Administration providing "free housing and cars for illegals," adding that "under Biden federal agencies handed out taxpayer dollars with weak oversight, loose control and almost no accountability."
The government weaponization fund waylaid Congressional Republicans. They’re still trying to figure out what to shove into some sort of an economic package which they can pitch to the voters this fall. So for now, Republicans are focusing on fraud.
"Crazy says fraudsters should be protected. Crazy says the American people's hard earned tax dollars should be given to criminals who are stealing their money. That's crazy," said McClain.
TRUMP SAYS ANTI-FRAUD EFFORTS ARE UNCOVERING BILLIONS IN WASTE, CLAIMS SAVINGS COULD BALANCE BUDGET
House Republicans planned debate on three bills this week to root out fraud in government programs. One bill would enhance oversight over childcare block grants. Another bill would help prevent people from bilking a program which provides emergency aid to society’s most needy. A third measure would target "ghost students" and crack down on fraud in student aid programs.
"The integrity of the programs matter because the taxpayers are not going to support them when they're filled up with fraud. And it doesn't matter if it's child care or SNAP. The American citizens want the fraud eliminated from the system," argued Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga.
Some Democrats found the anti-fraud message to be a little absurd.
"They’re not dealing with affordability. The President is saying he’s not concerned. Second, all of us are against fraud. I've yet to meet any politician who, when asked ‘Are you for fraud?’ says ‘Yes." We're all against it," said Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt.
Another Democrat believes Republicans are focusing on the wrong things with fraud.
"What I would love to see is an investigation of fraud and corruption involving the Trump administration, and the Trump family. There's not a day that goes by that there's another story about Trump kids benefiting from some government contract," said Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va.
On Wednesday, Republicans launched a hearing probing alleged Medicaid fraud in Ohio. This came after they unearthed various forms of fraud in Minnesota. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, claims that bad actors from the Somali community operate in both states.
I'M OHIO'S STATE AUDITOR — MEDICAID FRAUD IS NOT JUST A WASHINGTON PROBLEM
"You've got the largest Somali population in the United States is in Minnesota. The second largest in the United States is in Ohio. Now, it's not politically correct to say, but the reality is this fraud is coming predominantly from that community," said Gill.
At the hearing, Gill charged that Somalis "are moving from Ohio to Minnesota and back to Ohio." He added that "it certainly seems to have some overlap."
Gill tangled with Democrat Ohio State Sen. Nickie Antonio.
"Would you like to see more immigration from Somalia?" Gill asked the state lawmaker.
"As far as I'm processing your question, I have to say that I was almost brought to tears just now," replied Antonio.
The two yelled over one another.
"Seventy percent of Somali immigrants are on welfare," said Gill.
"The rate and the level of hateful rhetoric is based on false information is shocking to me," responded Antonio.
"They're defrauding your state at an astounding rate. Most Ohioans have a problem with that," piled on Gill.
But Antonio pushed back, arguing that Republicans have controlled key positions of power in the Buckeye State for the past 15 years.
"[Republicans] hold the House, the Senate, the governor's office and four statewide offices. If there is fraud in Medicaid, it has happened on the Republican majority's watch. Perhaps it's time to clean Ohio's house," rebutted Antonio.
MINNESOTA FRAUD HEARING SPARKS IMMIGRATION CLASH AS GOP LAWMAKER SPOTLIGHTS SOMALI WELFARE DATA
A recent Fox poll found that more than 70 percent of those surveyed believe fraud is "very common" in government welfare programs. Since it’s an election year, Republicans hoped to dare Democrats to oppose their anti-fraud efforts when the bills hit the floor.
"For some of the Democrats who might vote against the fraud bills today, will you guys try to weaponize and boomerang those on members who vote no today?" yours truly asked House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.
"I think their own voters are going to be questioning that," replied Scalise. "If Democrats vote no on that, it's going to a hard vote to explain."
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y, opposed the GOP’s anti-fraud efforts. But he gave Democrats from battleground districts a wide berth to decide what to do.
"Democrats are going to make a decision based on what's the right thing to do for the district that they represent. And I trust every single Democrat, particularly those who are in swing districts, to do the right thing for the people that they're privileged to represent," said Jeffries.
On Wednesday afternoon, the House passed the childcare fraud bill. Only four Democrats voted yea.
But Republicans yanked the bill focused on fraud in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) bill. The reason? One senior House GOP leadership source said the bill lacked the votes and "needed a little work." Another Republican source said attendance issues among Republicans might inhibit passage of the bill.
So what about the ghost student bills? Well, that measure was a legislative phantasm. The House didn’t conduct votes until Wednesday this week. The House then ghosted everyone on Friday, leaving the Capitol a day earlier than planned.
This trio of fraud measures are "messaging" bills in Congress. It’s doubtful that these plans will become law. But the leadership believes it’s important to "message" a subject like this to voters. And also point to votes where Democrats opposed such efforts.
But for all of the focus on fraud by House Republicans, they only managed to pass one of their three messaging bills this week.
That’s a .333 average. Baseball old-timers Paul Waner and Eddie Collins both boasted .333 batting averages for their career. They’re in the baseball Hall of Fame. But a .333 average isn’t Cooperstown-worthy on Capitol Hill.
That said, Republicans will tee up several other anti-fraud measures next week. So there’s a reprieve. However, if the GOP doesn’t bat 1.000 on their fraud bills next week, some voters may designate them for assignment.
Or maybe ghost them at the polls.