Finstad legislation would take back unused COVID funding

New Ulm Journal

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Brad Finstad (MN-01) on Tuesday 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.