Federal agencies form a task force to fight benefits fraud

The President establishes a federal task force led by the Vice President and supported by the Federal Trade Commission chair. The task force includes representatives from major departments and agencies that oversee benefits, plus other agencies or inspectors general chosen by its leaders. The task force must coordinate with the Homeland Security Council on law enforcement, public safety, national security, transnational crime, and organized crime matters. The task force operates under the President’s direct supervision and control. The task force is established by the order signed March 16, 2026, with regular meetings and ongoing work required.

Benefit agencies must provide relevant program information and identify risky transactions; the task force must coordinate anti-fraud controls and agencies must submit implementation plans. The work covers federal benefits, including programs run with state, local, tribal, and territorial partners, and may include enrollment, eligibility reviews, provider payments, and payment changes. The agencies and task force must act consistently with applicable law and available appropriations. The task force may recommend withholding federal funds from jurisdictions that do not have adequate anti-fraud requirements, but the order does not itself direct that funds be withheld. The required controls may include identity and eligibility checks, pre-payment reviews, data sharing, audits, repayment, suspension, exclusion, or debarment. Agencies must describe high-risk processes within 30 days; the task force must coordinate possible minimum requirements within 60 days; each member must submit an implementation plan within 90 days of March 16, 2026.

The Attorney General must promote appropriate private civil actions under the False Claims Act and seek prompt review of those cases. This direction applies to private lawsuits alleging fraud involving federal benefit program funds. The Attorney General must act under the existing authority in 31 U.S.C. 3730. The order preserves agency authority and applies only as consistent with applicable law and available appropriations. Prompt review includes the 60-day period in 31 U.S.C. 3730 when practicable; the order gives no separate end date.