The Scoop
The White House has formally sent Congress proposed legislation that would impose mandatory minimum sentences on those convicted of fraud involving federal benefit programs, according to a copy of it seen by Semafor.
The proposal, sent to House and Senate leadership on Sunday night, follows President Donald Trump’s call over the weekend for lawmakers to crack down on “fraud in Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security programs.”
The administration’s language would establish a range of mandatory minimum sentences based on the amount of loss involved in fraud schemes, according to the document. The proposal would also bar courts from placing those sentenced under the provision on probation or suspending their sentences.
People found responsible for less than $40,000 in losses would face at least one year in prison; those responsible for between $40,000 and $250,000 in losses would face at least two years in prison; and violations involving $100 million in losses or more would result in at least 20 years in prison. All violations would carry a maximum sentence of life in prison.
It’s unlikely that Congress would be able to take up and pass the legislation during its post-election session after the midterms. With Democrats poised to take the House majority next month and the Senate also in play, the proposal also faces a steep climb in 2027.
Also included in the administration’s legislative proposal is language that would hold “any officer or employee of the state” personally liable if they knew about alleged fraud and “willfully, intentionally, or recklessly” ignored it. Such officials could also be financially liable for damages up to the “amount of all loss resulting” from the fraud, or if that loss exceeds $1 million, up to three times the amount.
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Trump in recent months has empowered Vice President JD Vance to pursue fraud across the US, as he and other Republicans have sought to campaign on a familiar message of stopping waste, fraud, and abuse.
The administration has pursued a number of high-profile fraud claims, most notably in Democratic-led states such as Minnesota and California.
This is the latest crime-related push from Trump, who won his presidential election in part on a law-and-order message. The proposal now sits with Congress, where lawmakers will have to decide whether to take it up.