James Lankford (R-OK)
Recover COVID Unemployment Fraud in Banks Act
A Republican bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the "Recover COVID Unemployment Fraud in Banks Act," aims to recover unclaimed pandemic-era unemployment funds. It establishes a National Recovery Coordinator and a Task Force to oversee the recovery of improper payments held by financial institutions or state agencies. The Task Force will develop model processes and guidance to ensure cost-effective recovery of these funds. Additionally, the bill extends the statute of limitations for criminal and civil enforcement regarding pandemic unemployment fraud. This extension allows for prosecutions or actions to be brought up to 10 years after a violation or conspiracy occurs.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +6
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?
The bill targets the recovery of fraudulent or improper pandemic-era payments.
- Scored +5
Does this reduce what the federal government owes?
The bill seeks to recover unspent federal funds to reduce improper payments.
- Scored +4
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill includes provisions for notice and resources for victims of identity theft used in fraud.
The opposite
- Scored -4
Does this shorten or soften prison sentences?
The bill extends the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of fraud to 10 years.
- Scored -3
Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts?
The extended 10-year statute of limitations increases the window for legal action against individuals.
- Scored -2
Does this leave more decisions to the states?
The extension of federal statutes of limitations limits state-level finality in these matters.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Resource Recovery: The bill creates a Task Force to coordinate with State agencies to identify and recover Federal pandemic unemployment compensation payments held by financial institutions or State agencies (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 1).
-
Victim Support: The Task Force is tasked with developing model notice and information regarding available resources for individuals whose identity information was used fraudulently to obtain unemployment compensation (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 2, subparagraph C).
-
Cost-Effective Processes: The Task Force is responsible for developing model processes designed to result in the cost-effective recovery of improper payments (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 2).
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State Reimbursement: The Secretary of Labor is required to reimburse States for all administrative costs incurred due to coordination with the Task Force under specific CARES Act agreements (Section 2, subsection d).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Extended Legal Liability: The bill extends the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution or civil enforcement actions related to pandemic unemployment fraud to 10 years after the date of the violation or conspiracy (Section 3, subsections a, b, and c).
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Increased Prosecution Window: Individuals may face legal actions for pandemic-era unemployment claims for a much longer period of time than previously established by other laws (Section 3, subsections a, b, and c).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill targets the recovery of fraudulent or improper pandemic-era payments. Does this reduce what the federal government owes? — The bill seeks to recover unspent federal funds to reduce improper payments. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill includes provisions for notice and resources for victims of identity theft used in fraud. Does this reduce what the federal government spends? — Recovery of improper payments helps control federal outlays.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this shorten or soften prison sentences? — The bill extends the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution of fraud to 10 years.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill provides resources and notices for victims of identity fraud.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands federal oversight and legal reach regarding unemployment fraud. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The task force coordinates recovery through structured, transparent model processes. Does this protect the right to fair treatment by the courts? — The extended 10-year statute of limitations increases the window for legal action against individuals. Does this leave more decisions to the states? — The extension of federal statutes of limitations limits state-level finality in these matters.
- 8/5/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- Introduced in Senate