House backs permanent federal fraud enforcement division

House passes fraud enforcement bill

The House voted 352-72 to make the National Fraud Enforcement Division a permanent part of the Justice Department. More than 140 Democrats, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, supported the measure alongside all Republicans who voted. All 72 opposing votes came from Democrats.

The legislation would place into law a division that President Donald Trump’s White House announced in January 2026. The administration said the division would address fraud affecting the federal government, federally funded programs and private citizens.

Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland described his support as limited and argued that the Justice Department has handled fraud cases through an existing division for decades. Republican Rep. Jeff Van Drew of New Jersey presented the measure as a lasting commitment to reducing wasted public money rather than a party initiative.

Minnesota referral draws attention

Vice President JD Vance previously referred Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and state Attorney General Keith Ellison to the division for a possible criminal investigation connected to fraud in the state’s social welfare programs. A referral asks federal authorities to examine allegations; it does not establish criminal wrongdoing.

Republicans have accused Walz and Ellison of helping enable the misuse of public funds. Walz and Ellison have acknowledged that taxpayer money was improperly taken but have said Republicans portrayed the problem as larger than it was for political purposes.

The House vote advances Trump’s effort to preserve the division beyond an executive branch decision. Further legislative action would be required before the proposal becomes permanent law.