Friends,
When a reporter asked notorious bank robber Willie Sutton why he robbed banks, he said, "That's where the money is."
Fraudsters have figured out the same thing about federal benefit programs. In Minnesota, a single food aid scheme drained $250 million from taxpayers. In California, hospice and Medicaid fraud have cost taxpayers hundreds of millions and prompted the federal government to suspend hundreds of providers this year alone.
Just this week in Ohio, the Department of Justice descended on Columbus to announce 14 indictments in schemes totaling more than $50 million, including a $30 million operation where defendants billed the government for children's behavioral health services that were never provided, then used the money to buy 14 luxury vehicles, including a Bentley, a Maserati, and a McLaren.
At the press conference, Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche called fraud a "national crisis" and said Ohio's effort should serve as a model for the rest of the country. He's not wrong.
These are not victimless crimes. Every dollar stolen is a dollar taken from a low-income family that needs food assistance, a small business that played by the rules and lost a contract, or a patient whose Medicaid provider billed the government for care they never received. And every dollar stolen comes straight out of your pocket.
Republicans are done letting the American taxpayer play the patsy. |
This week, the House passed two bills to close the loopholes that let fraud continue:
President Trump is also cracking down on fraud. Earlier this year, he established the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, spearheaded by Vice President Vance, to track down fraudsters across the country. The results so far:
These actions build on last year's Working Families Tax Cuts, which cracked down on waste in Medicaid and improper SNAP payments. Taxpayer dollars should go to the people they were designed to serve. We are making sure they do. |
|
|
|
|
A Visit From Evvy & Arkansas Children's Hospital
Rep. Hill spent some time with Everette "Evvy" Wigington, a brave young patient from Arkansas Children's Hospital (ACH) in town this week as part of Children's Hospital Association Family Advocacy Day.
Evvy was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy and Noonan syndrome when she was one week old. She's a fighter. She's also a radiant, irrepressible ball of energy who loves gymnastics, dance, swimming, and puppies.
Evvy was with her mom, Brittany, and ACH representatives Erin Franks and Sheena Olsen. Kids like Evvy are exactly why I fight for rare disease research. Her story is a powerful reminder of the courage shown by children facing serious health challenges and the strength of the families who support them. |
|
|
|
|
|
A Good Visit with Moix RVs on Behalf of the Industry
On Wednesday, Rep. Hill sat down with Michael Moix, owner/operator of Moix RVs, who was in Washington as part of the annual RV Industry Association (RVIA) fly-in day. RVIA represents hundreds of manufacturers, component suppliers, and aftermarket businesses that produce 98 percent of all RVs made in the United States and support nearly 700,000 American jobs. They talked about the importance of supporting the RV industry, expanding access to outdoor recreation opportunities, and advancing policies such as the Great American Outdoors Act.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Team Hill had the opportunity this week to meet Alicia Monney and her daughter, an Arkansas farm family in town for this year's International Year of the Woman Farmer ACE Summit on Capitol Hill. These conversations are important as we work to pass the Farm Bill to make sure our farmers and ranchers have the support and certainty they need. |
|
|
|
|
|
Team Hill met with members of the Arkansas Trucking Association to discuss highway safety, the shortage of qualified drivers, and support for policies that keep America's roads safe and supply chains moving. We appreciated the opportunity to hear directly from Arkansas industry leaders about their priorities and concerns. |
|
|
|
|
|
On Wednesday, members of the Amalgamated Transit Union stopped by to discuss public transportation priorities across Arkansas and the region. The conversation focused on supporting transit workers, strengthening transportation infrastructure, expanding workforce opportunities, and ensuring communities have access to safe, reliable, and efficient transit services. |
|
82 years ago today, the largest armada the world had ever seen carried 160,000 Allied troops, most not long out of high school, across the rough seas of the English Channel to break Hitler's grip on Western Europe. D-Day marks the beginning of the end of World War II.
At 5:52 a.m., the USS Arkansas, one of the oldest ships in the Navy, opened fire on German positions in support of more than 30,000 American G.I.s at Omaha Beach.
Among the soldiers who fought their way across the beach was Paul Hallum of Greenbrier. He survived the war, came home to Faulkner County, and decades later was awarded the French Legion of Honor for his service that day.
Among the first casualties that critical morning was Arkansas native Private First Class Gene Sellers of the 101st Airborne. On D-Day, PFC Sellers was dropped behind enemy lines in darkness ahead of the main airborne assault. His parachute drifted too close to a German position. He never made it home.
When I stood at PFC Sellers' grave at the American cemetery in Normandy, among the rows and rows of white headstones, the weight of what was given by those who fought and died on the beaches and in the countryside of northern France filled me with pride and immense gratitude.
It is that same gratitude that fills us on this D-Day anniversary as we honor PFC Gene Sellers, Paul Hallum, and all who ran toward the guns of fascism to liberate a continent. |
|
|
|
|
Click to listen to General Dwight D. Eisenhower's message to Allied forces ahead of D-Day |
|
|
|
| |
What did General Eisenhower call the D-Day invasion in his message to Allied troops on the morning of June 6, 1944?
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Last week’s Trivia: On May 29, 1790, the final one of the original 13 colonies ratified the United States Constitution. Which state was it? B) Rhode Island
51.3% of respondents answered correctly. (41.76% answered "Delaware") |
The Trump Accounts app officially launched this week. Now every family has a simple, direct way to get involved and start building their child's future. Download it today and make sure your family is ready for the official July 4th launch.
Kids born between January 2025 and December 2028 are eligible for a federal contribution into a “Trump Account.” More than 6 million Americans have already opened accounts, which will begin receiving funding starting the Fourth of July this year, so don’t delay.
Families can sign their kids up for a Trump Account using the IRS Form 4547 as they file their taxes. To learn more, click HERE or call my Little Rock office at (501) 324-5941. |
My office can arrange tours of the Capitol and many other sights in Washington, D.C., on behalf of you and your family during your stay. Please note: White House tours require Real IDs or other accepted forms of ID, such as a valid passport or U.S. military ID.
If you and your loved ones are planning on visiting Washington, D.C. in the coming months, I recommend you reach out to my office to request tours as soon as possible HERE.
If you have any questions about your visit to Washington, D.C., please call my D.C. office at (202) 225-2506. |
Sincerely,
Representative French Hill
|
|
|
