WASHINGTON - Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) will testify in front of the House of Representatives Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency and Financial Management on federal improper payments and his bill, Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act (S. 1409) on Tuesday, February 7th at 10:00am in room 2247 Rayburn House Office Building.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Subcommittee hearing, "Solutions Needed: Improper Payments Total $115 Billion in Federal Misspending" will be lead by Chairman Todd R. Platts (R-Pa.) and Ranking Member Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.).

In July 2010, President Obama signed Sen. Carper's bill, Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act of 2010 (IPERA), into law. In July 2011, Sen. Carper introduced the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2011 which builds on the important work started by IPERA by strengthening the identification of federal government waste and fraud. It would also create a do-not-pay initiative, help prevent improper payments to deceased individuals, and increase efforts to recover improper payments. The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee approved the bill in October.

Federal agencies made an estimated $115 billion in improper payments in FY 2010, which represents a roughly $6 billion reduction from the previous year.

"Clearly this level of waste committed by federal agencies, particularly as the federal government struggles with a massive debt and deficit, is completely unacceptable," said Sen. Carper. "Although we have made great strides in curbing improper payments in recent years, we still have a long way to go. Fortunately, there are several very real and effective tools available to curb these wasteful and sometimes fraudulent payments. Congress can make a big dent in improper payments and help get federal spending back on track. The Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Act, which the President signed into laws two years ago, is an important tool, and my most recent bill, the Improper Payments Elimination and Recovery Improvement Act of 2011, takes it to the next level, making tools we've given agency managers to curb waste and fraud stronger, more robust, and more effective at preventing and recovering improper payments. I look forward to testifying before some of my colleagues in the House to discuss the important matter of curbing waste and fraud in the federal government and learning where we can work together to tackle this problem."

What:
Sen. Tom Carper (D-Del.) to testify before House Subcommittee on Government Organization, Efficiency and Financial Management hearing, "Solutions Needed: Improper Payments Total $115 Billion in Federal Misspending"

When:
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
10:00 a.m.

Where:
Rayburn House Office Building
Room 2247

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