Palmer Bill Targeting Improper Payments Passes Through Committee

For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Hope Dawson (202) 225-4921

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Zeroing Out Monetary Benefits Improperly Expended (ZOMBIE) Act introduced by Representative Gary Palmer (AL-06) passed unanimously out of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform this afternoon. Rep. Palmer released the following statement:

“The federal government has made an estimated $2.8 trillion in improper payments since 2003. Washington has a serious problem, and taxpayers are the ones footing the bill. The ZOMBIE Act takes a sensible and proactive approach by requiring agencies to identify fraud risks before money goes out the door instead of waiting until after it has already been lost. By strengthening oversight, improving coordination, and holding agencies accountable for real financial losses, this bill helps ensure taxpayer dollars are protected and spent the way Congress intended,” said Rep. Palmer.

The ZOMBIE Act reforms federal law to prevent improper payments by replacing the costly practice of completing annual improper payment estimates with ongoing risk assessments. The ZOMBIE Act also requires agencies to implement fraud prevention best practices, such as the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) 2015 Fraud Risk Framework.

Read the bill text here.