Introduction of the Verify It Act

Floor Speech

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce my bill, the Verify It Act, which requires Federal agencies to provide notice to American families that they owe a debt to a Federal agency and verify the debt is a legally enforceable debt.

Mr. Speaker, by introducing this bill people will not have their tax refunds seized without proper notification and justification. Federal agencies have the right to try to collect debt that is owed to the government; there is a legal process that must be followed before any action can be taken. Each Federal agency must provide 60 days notice to the debtor. This notice requires a written notification of the nature and amount of the debt, the intention of the agency to collect the debt through administrative offset, and an explanation of the debtor's rights. If the agency is unable to collect from the debtor, the debt can be referred to the Department of the Treasury for administrative offset. Through its Treasury Offset Program (TOP), the Treasury reduces or withholds certain payments, often a Federal tax refund, to individuals who owe debts to the government.

Mr. Speaker, the legal process to collect outstanding debts from Americans owing money to the Treasury is simply not being followed. As reported by the Washington Post, Federal agencies are collecting delinquent debt without providing proper notice or that the debt being collected was incurred by the person the Federal agency claims owes the debt. It appears that in certain cases, Federal agencies are collecting money from children in order to pay the outstanding debts to the U.S. Treasury their parents incurred. What legal reason or law gives a Federal agency the right to collect a debt from a person when the debt is incurred in someone else's name? How many years is this Administration going to go back to collect debts? How can the government justify collecting debts from the children of deceased parents?

This bill is all about transparency and accountability. My legislation will ensure that Americans are given proper notification and have time to dispute the debt. This legislation will ensure every Federal agency determines the debt is legally enforceable and restore the 10 year statute of limitations.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues in the House (and Senate) to support me in passing the Verify It Act, in order to ensure American families and taxpayers have trust in their government and policies implemented.

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