NW Tennessee News

Today, Congressman David Kustoff's bill, H.R. 1155, known as the Recovery of Stolen Checks Act, received unanimous approval from the House Committee on Ways and Means. This bipartisan legislation aims to provide taxpayers with an option to receive payments electronically if their paper checks from the U.S. Department of the Treasury are lost or stolen in the mail.

The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Kustoff along with Representatives Nicole Malliotakis and Terri Sewell. During his remarks at the committee meeting, Kustoff highlighted the increasing issue of government checks being stolen from mailboxes across the country. He cited a report from the United States Postal Inspection Service that noted an 87% increase in thefts between 2019 and 2022.

Kustoff emphasized that it is crucial for Congress to ensure law enforcement has adequate tools and resources to combat mail theft effectively. He also pointed out that current IRS procedures for issuing replacement checks are outdated and inefficient, often resulting in further delays and risks of theft.

The proposed legislation seeks to address these issues by allowing victims of mail theft to opt for direct deposit when receiving replacement payments. According to Kustoff, this change would expedite relief for affected taxpayers, reduce opportunities for criminal activity involving government checks, and enhance governmental efficiency.

Kustoff urged his colleagues to support this bipartisan effort, expressing confidence that it represents a straightforward solution to a significant problem faced by many Americans.