Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne, currently representing Texas’ 24th district in the U.S. Congress, posted a series of updates on her legislative efforts related to COVID-19 unemployment fraud and small business health coverage options.
On May 21, 2026, Van Duyne highlighted concerns about pandemic-related financial crimes, stating: “Fraudsters exploited the COVID-19 pandemic to steal hundreds of millions of dollars from taxpayers and to commit rampant identity theft. I introduced the Recover COVID Unemployment Fraud in Banks Act, with my colleague @RepTomSuozzi, our bill is a bipartisan solution to help”.
Later that day, she cited findings from an official inquiry: “A recent investigation by @DOLOIG found nearly $1 billion in COVID-era UI funds tied to fraud being held by financial institutions. Without action from Congress, hundreds of millions in funds may go uncovered. Today, @WaysandMeansGOP advanced the Recover COVID Unemployment Fraud”. This refers to an investigation by the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (DOLOIG) that identified significant amounts of fraudulent unemployment insurance funds during the pandemic.
On May 22, 2026, Van Duyne thanked colleagues for supporting another legislative effort: “Thank you to my @HouseSmallBiz colleagues for supporting my bill, the Small Business Health Options Awareness Act of 2026 – requiring the @SBAgov to provide more outreach and information about the availability of Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs).”
Van Duyne has served as representative for Texas’s 24th District since replacing Kenny Marchant in 2021. She was born in Ithaca, New York in 1970 and resides in Irving. In previous elections she defeated Sam Eppler in 2024 with over 60% of the vote; Jan McDowell in 2022 with nearly 60%; and Candace Valenzuela in a close race in 2020.
