Jim Sensenbrenner and Flood Aid Fraud

I like Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner's latest endeavor. Instead of sitting back and watching as people fraudulently obtain federal disaster relief funds, he's attempting to get a system of checks and balanaces in place to prevent abuse of the program.

Press Release

Menomonee Falls Congressman Jim Sensenbrenner announced today his intent to introduce legislation that would place a system of checks and balances on the release of federal disaster relief funds. This announcement comes on the heels of recent news reports in Wisconsin about fights and scuffles that took place in Milwaukee on Monday as thousands of folks whose homes suffered flood damage - along with those who had not - lined up for food vouchers.

Congressman Sensenbrenner issued the following statement:

“Monday’s incident shows that there needs to be regulations in place to verify that when a person applies to receive federal disaster benefits, in this case due to flooding, the applicant’s residence should actually have incurred flood damage. As a result, I am working to introduce legislation that would require the Department of Agriculture to verify that people who apply for disaster relief funds prove that they are victims of the disaster, and not filing fraudulent applications to take advantage of a government assistance program. This is not fair to the intent of the program, and it is certainly not fair to the people who truly suffered and need this assistance.

“What happened in Milwaukee was not helpful. With all applications being approved, we saw a waste of federal resources that mocked a program designed to help people in dire straits. As one of 11 people to vote against the massive Katrina aid bill a few years back, I had hoped that we would all have learned from those lessons when we saw FEMA funds being abused as people used federal funds to go on shopping sprees or visit strip clubs. Indeed, there are many lessons we can learn from Katrina, and it is in that vein that I am introducing this legislation, because when it comes to federal funds and federal programs, there needs to be more verification and guidelines when handing out taxpayers’ money.”

I couldn't agree more.

It's appalling that the government would just hand out the taxpayers' money without verification that the recipients actually suffered damage as a result of the flood.

I don't know which is worse -- the fact that government would just give out funds to anyone asking for aid, without proof of need; or the fact that many people have no conscience and are willing to rip off taxpayers, their fellow Americans.

I'm glad that Sensenbrenner is making an effort to get the aid to people in real need of assistance due to the damages they suffered AS A RESULT OF THE FLOODING.