House passes Mary Miller's bill to stop childcare fraud
[June 15, 2026]
By Catrina Barker | The Center Square contributor
(The Center Square) – The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed
legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., aimed at
strengthening oversight of federal childcare assistance programs and
cracking down on fraud.
Speaking on the House floor, Miller urged support for H.R. 7726, the
Stop Childcare Scams Act, saying the measure aligns with efforts by
President Donald Trump’s administration “to rid the federal government
of waste, fraud, and abuse.”
“The Stop Childcare Scams Act builds on those actions by enforcing
program integrity to ensure every state is compliant with federal
requirements,” Miller said.
Miller argued the Childcare and Development Block Grant program has long
been vulnerable to improper payments and fraud. Citing a 2020 report
from the Government Accountability Office, she said there were an
estimated $325 million in improper payments nationwide during fiscal
year 2019.
“Since 2002, the Block Grant has been identified as a federal program at
risk for improper payments,” Miller said. “The Office of Management and
Budget, the GAO, and HHS have all consistently warned that changes are
needed to protect the program from fraud and abuse.”
The Illinois congresswoman also pointed to a 2024 case involving the
owner of several Chicago childcare centers who was sentenced to prison
after stealing more than $3 million in taxpayer funds.
“In this case, the state failed to address fraud or repeated
noncompliance,” Miller said. “This is unacceptable, and there must be
real consequences.”
According to Miller, the legislation combines several Republican-backed
reforms approved by the House Education and Workforce Committee. Among
its provisions are requirements for states to assess fraudulent
payments, lower the threshold that triggers scrutiny of improper
payments, require regular audits of state childcare assistance programs
and prevent providers found guilty of fraud from receiving future grant
funds.
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Illinois U.S. Rep. Mary Miller, R-Hindsboro, is pictured. Photo:
Greg Bishop / The Center Square
The bill also would require the U.S. Department of Health and Human
Services to withhold funds from states that repeatedly fail to
address fraud, abuse and serious violations within childcare
assistance programs. Supporters say the legislation would make
enforcement mandatory rather than discretionary.
“Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar that doesn't support working
families,” Miller said on the House floor. “Fraud harms our
families. It harms our workforce.”
The legislation passed the House on June 3 after advancing through
the House Education and Workforce Committee as part of a broader
Republican effort to increase oversight of federal childcare
spending. Supporters argue the measure will help ensure assistance
reaches eligible families and protect taxpayer dollars from misuse.
Opponents of the bill have argued that some of its enforcement
provisions could lead to funding reductions for states over
administrative errors and could make it harder for low-income
families to access childcare assistance. Critics contend the
legislation places a greater emphasis on penalties than on expanding
childcare access.
Miller said accountability measures are necessary to maintain public
trust in the program.
“Americans should have confidence that their federal taxpayer
dollars are being used responsibly and carefully,” she said.
“Ensuring accountability for these dollars is not optional.”
The measure now heads to the Senate for consideration.
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