LAS VEGAS - Today, Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) announced the introduction of legislation to address vulnerabilities in our unemployment systems highlighted by the pandemic. The Guaranteeing Unemployment Assistance and Reducing Deception (GUARD) Act, H.R. 8661, supports the aggressive work of federal and state agencies, as well as law enforcement, are doing to recover pandemic unemployment benefits that were paid to criminal organizations. The GUARD Act also provides new help to workers who were victims of identity theft, and takes key steps to address vulnerabilities in local unemployment systems that could lead to future fraud.
“In the height of the pandemic, scrupulous scam artists sought out ways to acquire the money allocated to help vulnerable workers and families during a time of great need,” said Congressman Horsford. “I am introducing this bill to help our state and local unemployment systems be fortified from future fraud, and to give law enforcement authorities the tools they need to go after these fraudsters and recover illegally obtained funds. And for workers, we also provide new tools that ensure that when workers need to access their unemployment benefits, they can easily and promptly access their earned benefits.”
Specifically, the GUARD Act:
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