Imagine taxpayer dollars flowing into the accounts of those no longer with us—a bureaucratic blunder of epic proportions.
In a video shared on X, Sen. Kennedy announced a significant legislative victory with the passage of the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. This bill, which aims to stop federal payments to deceased individuals, has cleared both the Senate and the House this week. It now awaits the signature of President Trump to become law.
According to Breitbart, Kennedy highlighted that the Social Security Administration maintains a database known as the Death Master File, which lists deceased Americans as reported by states. He noted that, until recently, this critical information wasn’t shared across federal agencies, leading to substantial improper payments. The senator pushed for legislation to address this gap, starting with a temporary measure a few years ago.
The issue has sparked debate over government efficiency and accountability. How does one branch of government fail to communicate with another, allowing millions to slip through the cracks?
Kennedy explained the problem in stark terms, pointing to a staggering figure. “In 2023 alone, for example, the federal government sent $1.3 billion — not million, billion,” he said. “The federal government sent $1.3 billion to dead people.”
That’s a jaw-dropping sum, and it underscores a systemic failure in oversight. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about ensuring public funds aren’t misused, potentially by relatives or others cashing checks meant for the deceased.
Years ago, Kennedy introduced the Stopping Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, which allowed temporary sharing of the Death Master File with the Treasury Department. He described the process as frustrating, with amendments needed to test the concept before making it permanent. The trial run, however, paid off handsomely.
“Since December of 2023, this bill has saved the federal government at least $330 million in improper payments,” Kennedy stated. That’s real progress, showing that even a cautious step can yield massive savings for taxpayers.
Why did it take so long to get here? The idea that the Social Security Administration needed Congress’s permission to share data with other agencies like the Treasury, which operates a Do Not Pay system, feels like unnecessary red tape stifling common sense.
With the temporary measure’s success, Kennedy moved to solidify the change by introducing the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act. This new legislation aims to make data sharing between agencies a permanent fixture, ensuring no more payments slip to the deceased.
The bill’s passage through both chambers of Congress this week marks a rare moment of bipartisan agreement on fiscal responsibility. It’s a win for those who believe government should operate with the same accountability expected of private citizens managing their own budgets.
Yet, one wonders why such an obvious fix wasn’t implemented sooner. The notion of one government branch stonewalling another isn’t just inefficient—it’s a disservice to every hardworking American funding this system.
Now, with the bill on its way to President Trump’s desk, there’s hope for a swift signature to lock in these savings. The potential to prevent further waste, especially after losing over a billion dollars in a single year, should be a priority for any administration.
This isn’t about partisan grandstanding; it’s about fixing a broken process that has cost taxpayers dearly. While some might argue for more sweeping reforms, this targeted measure addresses a clear problem without overreaching into unrelated policy debates.
