Executive Order 14395

Establishing the Task Force To Eliminate Fraud

Signed March 16, 2026, printed at 91 FR 13485. 6 sections of substance, 2,273 words.

In plain English

This order sets up a task force on fraud. The target is fraud in benefit programs. The Vice President will chair it.

Sec. 1. Purpose and Policy

American taxpayers fund a vast benefits system for citizens in need that includes housing, food, medical care, cash assistance, and more. States administer these federally funded programs, and some States have embraced loopholes that avoid individual eligibility validation, allow self- certification of eligibility, and expand eligibility far beyond what the Congress intended. Worse, despite accepting Federal funds, some States have refused to institute basic fraud controls such as providing enrollee information to the Federal Government that would allow it to verify eligibility. As a result, illegal aliens, criminals, foreign gangs, bureaucrats, State and local officials, non-governmental organizations, and ineligible providers exploit these programs--which are intended to provide a safety net to lawfully eligible Americans--with ease. This exploitation and lack of controls to prevent

In plain English

This states the case the order makes. It says taxpayers fund a large benefits system. Housing, food and medical care are named. It says states run those programs. It says some states use loopholes. Self declared eligibility is one. It says some refuse basic fraud checks. It says that lets ineligible people claim benefits.

Sec. 2. Establishment of the Task Force

(a) There is hereby established within the Executive Office of the President a Task Force to Eliminate Fraud (Task Force). (b) The Vice President of the United States shall serve as the Chairman of the Task Force. The Chairman of the Federal Trade Commission shall serve as Vice Chairman of the Task Force, shall preside over the Task Force at the direction of the Chairman or in his absence, and shall exercise all powers of the Chairman herein defined at his direction or in his absence. The Chairman shall designate an Executive Director, who shall administer and execute the day-to-day operations of the Task Force, and who shall report to the Vice Chairman. The Assistant to the President for Homeland Security shall serve as the Senior Advisor to the Task Force. (c) In addition to the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, and the Senior Advisor, the Task Force shall include appropriate

In plain English

This sets up a task force. It sits in the White House. The Vice President chairs it. The trade commission chair is vice chair. That person leads when the chair is away. A director runs the daily work. That person reports to the vice chair. A homeland security aide advises. Agency members join them.

Sec. 3. Operation and Priorities of the Task Force

(a) The Task Force shall, on behalf of the President, coordinate and accelerate a comprehensive national strategy to stop fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs, including programs administered jointly with State, local, tribal, and territorial partners. The Task Force shall advise the President and, on behalf of the President, shall coordinate the work of appropriate member agencies to: (i) develop measures to improve eligibility verification processes in Federal benefits programs and maximize enforcement of eligibility requirements, including program-specific requirements and the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996; (ii) develop appropriate controls that operate before funds are obligated or disbursed to prevent improper payments in Federal benefits programs, including by coordinating agency action to determine when ongoing fraud or

In plain English

This says what the task force does. It must build a national plan against fraud. Waste and abuse are covered too. Federal benefit programs are the target. Programs run with states count. It must advise the President. It must improve how eligibility is checked. It must add checks before money goes out. A 1996 welfare law is named.

Sec. 4. Improved Controls and Fraud-Prevention Measures

(a) Each agency administering Federal benefit programs represented on the Task Force shall identify the agency's benefit transactions and processes that are most susceptible to fraud schemes, which may include new enrollments, redeterminations, provider enrollments, eligibility self-attestation procedures, changes [[Page 13488]] to payment destinations or payees, or transactions involving third party intermediaries. Within 30 days of the date of this order, each such agency shall submit to the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Task Force descriptions of such transactions and processes and suggested measures to prevent such fraud. (b) Within 60 days of the date of this order, the Task Force shall coordinate member agency efforts to adopt, as appropriate, minimum anti-fraud requirements for transactions and processes identified under subsection (a) of this section to prevent fraud and

In plain English

This asks agencies to find weak points. Each must name the steps most open to fraud. New sign ups are one. So are renewals. So are provider sign ups. Self declared eligibility counts. So do changes to where money is sent. Each has 30 days to report. The task force then sets minimum anti fraud rules in 60 days.

Sec. 5. Administration

The heads of other agencies shall, upon the request of the Chairman or the Vice Chairman, provide administrative and technical support, or information required by the Task Force to carry out its functions.

In plain English

This covers support. Other agency heads must help the task force. The chair may ask for it. So may the vice chair. Administrative help is covered. So is technical help. So is any information the task force needs. It must be given so the work can go on.

Sec. 6. Maximizing Taxpayer Pursuit of Fraud Involving Taxpayer Dollars

The Attorney General shall: (a) take appropriate action to promote the meritorious pursuit by private persons of civil actions under 31 U.S.C. 3730 concerning fraud within Federal benefit programs; and (b) ensure prompt review of such actions, including within the 60-day period contemplated by 31 U.S.C. 3730(a)(4) to the maximum extent practicable.

In plain English

This backs private fraud suits. A law lets a person sue over fraud against the government. Justice must encourage sound suits of that kind. Federal benefit programs are the subject. Justice must also review such suits quickly. The law gives a 60 day window. It must meet that where it can.

Sec. 7. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. [[Page 13489]] (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of the Treasury. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, March 16,

In plain English

This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.