Pascrell Welcomes NJ Labor Commissioner to Unemployment Fraud Oversight Hearing

Ways and Means panel focused on fraud crackdown

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ-09), the Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight, today welcomed New Jersey Labor Commissioner Rob Asaro-Angelo to Washington where he testified at a hearing on investigating pandemic fraud of unemployment insurance.

“President Biden used those protections [passed by Congress] to prosecute frauds. States have recovered nearly $1.2 Billion so far. Enforcement is working,” said Congressman Pascrell. “It is imperative that when seeking solutions we refrain from shaming workers and lying about our strong economy. The truth is our actions during the pandemic saved lives and saved the American economy.

“During the pandemic, New Jersey halted hundreds of thousands of fraudulent payments, protecting billions of dollars.” Commissioner Asaro-Angelo testified. “It’s vitally important we continue supporting efforts for national improvements to create overarching systems that work with each other, instead of having each state operate independently. Fraudsters love nothing more than having 53 separate systems to pick through to see which can be hit easiest and hardest… There’s no ‘silver bullet’ to completely eradicate fraud from our benefits systems, but, we can combat it in every way possible – continually learning and training so we stay one step ahead.”

Pascrell asked the Commissioner to detail New Jersey’s approach for ending widespread fraud.

During the hearing, Commissioner Asaro-Angelo discussed New Jersey’s successful anti-fraud efforts, including the state’s work efforts to partner with ID.me, a federally credentialed security vendor, to become the first state to build a digital verification system that meets federal security standards through self-service, live video chat, and in-person options.

The landmark American Rescue Plan enacted by Democrats in 2021 included strong enforcement protections to fight fraud and recover stolen taxpayer dollars. In sum, states have recovered over $1 billion.

Pascrell’s full opening statement is below.

Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr.

House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight

Hearing on Investigating Pandemic Fraud: Preventing History from Repeating Itself

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’d first like to welcome our witness: Rob Asaro-Angelo, New Jersey’s Labor Commissioner.

He is a good friend and has done great work administering and modernizing our state’s UI program during the worst employment crisis in generations.

Congress acted decisively in the face of historic adversity to keep Americans safe. Our unemployment aid kept families together and it saved lives. More than 1.5 Million Garden Staters received unemployment from March 2020 to September 2021.

It stopped mortgage defaults. It kept electricity on. It put food on tables and in children’s stomachs. In March 2021, we passed the American Rescue Plan because the crisis was not over.

It included unemployment aid and strong enforcement protections to fight fraud and recover taxpayer dollars. President Biden used those protections to prosecute frauds. States have recovered nearly $1.2 Billion so far. Enforcement is working.

As Rob will testify, New Jersey put these dollars to excellent use, bringing our system into the 21st century with a focus on accessibility and security.

The majority claims to care about misuse. But the other side sought to rescind unspent American Rescue Plan funding allocated to crack down on fraud, recover overpayments, and improve UI security.

Our pandemic measures exceeded expectations. We emerged stronger than any other country. Every job lost during the pandemic was recovered. All our economic output lost is regained.

Job growth is at a 40-year high. Unemployment is at a 54-year low. The Biden economy is booming.

I am happy to work together to ensure federal dollars are well spent. Fraudsters must be held accountable. Our witness from New Jersey deeply understands this unemployment insurance fraud and has ideas on how we can prevent it in the future.

It is imperative that when seeking solutions, we refrain from shaming workers and lying about our strong economy. The truth is our actions during the pandemic saved lives and saved the American economy.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.

###