JD Vance told supporters at a rally in Des Moines on Tuesday that a federal fraud task force had uncovered 186,000 deceased individuals who were allegedly still receiving benefits through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Vance visited Iowa to campaign with Zach Nunn, a Republican congressman considered vulnerable in the upcoming election cycle. Speaking to the crowd, Vance discussed the fraud task force that Donald Trump appointed him to lead as part of a broader initiative to investigate waste and abuse in federal programs.
According to Vance, the task force has focused on identifying improper government payments, including benefits issued to individuals who are no longer alive. He argued that the findings show the need for stricter oversight and more effective verification systems within federal assistance programs.
SNAP, commonly referred to as food stamps, provides nutritional support to millions of low-income Americans nationwide. Government agencies have previously acknowledged that administrative mistakes, outdated records, and fraud can contribute to improper payments.
Vance said the administration intends to continue investigating federal spending practices while promoting reforms aimed at improving accountability and reducing fraud in taxpayer-funded programs.
