Press Releases
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) introduced the Audit and Return It Act, legislation that would direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct an audit of all COVID-related spending and rescind any unobligated amounts for the sole purpose of deficit reduction.
“During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw some of the largest federal spending in our country’s history, some with insufficient federal government oversight that led to cases of fraud and abuse,” said Rep. Finstad. “American taxpayers footed the bill for these massive spending programs, many of which have billions of dollars that remain unused. I am proud to lead this commonsense effort that will require a full accounting of all COVID relief spending, return unused funds to the Treasury, and drive down the deficit.”
The legislation is supported by 11 original cosponsors, and endorsed by Heritage Action for America, National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Prosperity, and Americans for Tax Reform.
"Republicans and Democrats agree: the pandemic is over. The billions of dollars in unused federal spending is no longer necessary and it is time to send those funds back to the Treasury. With our national debt reaching its limit of more than $31 trillion dollars, returning an estimated $100 billion of unused, unnecessary emergency funding should be simple. We encourage all members to support Rep. Finstad's bill to rescind unobligated balances from COVID-19 relief measures," said Jessica Anderson, Executive Director of Heritage Action.
"Our national debt represents one of the biggest and most critical challenges facing our country. It is imperative that we find any and all opportunities to tackle this enormous problem. National Taxpayers Union is happy to support Representative Brad Finstad's legislation that would require a comprehensive audit of unobligated COVID funding and use these funds to reduce our national debt. This should be part of a comprehensive strategy to control our debt and deficits and put our nation on a sustainable fiscal path," said Brandon Arnold, Executive Vice President, National Taxpayers Union.
“Too much government spending gave us inflation, pushed us closer to a debt crisis, and holds us back. The pandemic emergency is over, and Rep. Finstad’s Audit and Return It Act would put an end to the ongoing cash grab. Congress should stop wasting money we don’t have,” said Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy, Americans for Prosperity.
“The federal government’s response to COVID was to flood state and local governments and other entities with taxpayer cash. Much was not needed. Much was wasted. To this date, billions remain unspent. Today, the national debt is surging and Congress is looking for ways to reduce spending,” said Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform. “Congressman Brad Finstad has part of the solution. His legislation, the Audit and Return it Act, would audit (finally) all COVID-related spending and rescind all unobligated funds. Recent reports say about $800 billion may be available to return to Washington to reduce the national debt. This is a great idea. It deserves the support of all taxpayer-friendly members of Congress.”
“During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw some of the largest federal spending in our country’s history, some with insufficient federal government oversight that led to cases of fraud and abuse,” said Rep. Finstad. “American taxpayers footed the bill for these massive spending programs, many of which have billions of dollars that remain unused. I am proud to lead this commonsense effort that will require a full accounting of all COVID relief spending, return unused funds to the Treasury, and drive down the deficit.”
The legislation is supported by 11 original cosponsors, and endorsed by Heritage Action for America, National Taxpayers Union, Americans for Prosperity, and Americans for Tax Reform.
"Republicans and Democrats agree: the pandemic is over. The billions of dollars in unused federal spending is no longer necessary and it is time to send those funds back to the Treasury. With our national debt reaching its limit of more than $31 trillion dollars, returning an estimated $100 billion of unused, unnecessary emergency funding should be simple. We encourage all members to support Rep. Finstad's bill to rescind unobligated balances from COVID-19 relief measures," said Jessica Anderson, Executive Director of Heritage Action.
"Our national debt represents one of the biggest and most critical challenges facing our country. It is imperative that we find any and all opportunities to tackle this enormous problem. National Taxpayers Union is happy to support Representative Brad Finstad's legislation that would require a comprehensive audit of unobligated COVID funding and use these funds to reduce our national debt. This should be part of a comprehensive strategy to control our debt and deficits and put our nation on a sustainable fiscal path," said Brandon Arnold, Executive Vice President, National Taxpayers Union.
“Too much government spending gave us inflation, pushed us closer to a debt crisis, and holds us back. The pandemic emergency is over, and Rep. Finstad’s Audit and Return It Act would put an end to the ongoing cash grab. Congress should stop wasting money we don’t have,” said Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy, Americans for Prosperity.
“The federal government’s response to COVID was to flood state and local governments and other entities with taxpayer cash. Much was not needed. Much was wasted. To this date, billions remain unspent. Today, the national debt is surging and Congress is looking for ways to reduce spending,” said Grover Norquist, President, Americans for Tax Reform. “Congressman Brad Finstad has part of the solution. His legislation, the Audit and Return it Act, would audit (finally) all COVID-related spending and rescind all unobligated funds. Recent reports say about $800 billion may be available to return to Washington to reduce the national debt. This is a great idea. It deserves the support of all taxpayer-friendly members of Congress.”
