Republicans Unleash Nationwide War on Fraud While Delivering Tax Relief, Jobs, and Border Security Across America Americans understand that hard-earned tax dollars must support families, veterans, seniors, and communities rather than criminals who steal from government programs. President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance, head of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, called on officials at every level of government on October 16 to join a pledge protecting vulnerable Americans, reserving benefits for citizens only, stopping fraud before payments leave, and holding thieves accountable. Cabinet secretaries, governors, attorneys general, state auditors, and members of Congress from both chambers quickly signed on. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported recovering millions from deceased individuals and overseas scams while auditing billions in contracts. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling highlighted $22 billion in uncovered labor fraud. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others pledged to root out waste so programs serve those who need them. This coordinated effort restores accountability without partisan theater. Specific Recoveries and Enforcement Under the Fraud Pledge Vance’s pledge prompted detailed commitments from key officials on October 16. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported returning $175 million in payments destined for deceased individuals, expanding Do Not Pay access to 99 percent of federal programs, stopping nearly $190 million and returning over $100 million from overseas to U.S. victims, ordering an audit of approximately $9 billion in contracts, and proposing stronger eligibility checks for health insurance tax credits while sanctioning overseas scam networks. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling noted $22 billion in labor fraud already uncovered. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated more than $2 billion in student aid fraud had been prevented with real-time verification. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin cited over $30 billion in total savings from zero-tolerance actions. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Cameron Hamilton reported protecting $1.3 billion last year from exploitation of disaster programs. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel described eliminating tens of billions in intended fraud losses, including six Most Wanted Fraudster arrests worth over $2 billion in alleged fraud within three months. These steps emphasize tracing funds, recovering dollars, and prosecuting offenders before benefits leave the system. Georgia Visit Highlights Tax Cuts and Private Investment Trump returned to Georgia on October 16 with measurable gains from the Working Families Tax Cuts (WFTC), which he signed into law last year, as part of his One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Roughly 1.8 million seniors now face zero federal tax on Social Security benefits through a new deduction. Average tax refunds reached $3,169. The law safeguarded 198,000 jobs, $36 billion in state gross domestic product, and $18 billion in wages while delivering $219 million in first-year Rural Health Transformation Program funding. Private investment surged/ Pirelli is expanding its Rome facility with $1.2 billion and 1,000 jobs. Siemens is building a $185 million plant in Pendergrass creating 1,400 jobs. Other firms, including Mayville Engineering, DeltaX, ArcelorMittal, UCB, and Pratt & Whitney, are investing hundreds of millions more. Georgia Power froze base rates through 2029, saving typical households $180 annually. Farmers received more than $177 million through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program plus additional bridge payments. After Hurricane Helene, the federal cost-share rose to 90 percent with over $1 billion in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding. Montana Visit Advances Energy, Health, and Manufacturing On October 14, Trump’s visit to Montana underscored WFTC benefits for about 200,000 seniors who pay no federal tax on Social Security. Average refunds hit $3,304. The law protected 20,000 jobs, $4 billion in state gross domestic product, and $2 billion in wages. Rural health received $233 million in first-year funding, the fourth-highest nationally, plus $8.7 million for ambulances and equipment at 79 agencies. Certified community behavioral health clinics gained permanent funding. Janicki Industries is building an $800 million advanced manufacturing campus in Great Falls expected to create more than 1,000 jobs. Unemployment stood at 3.2 percent. Uncle Sam approved coal expansions at Spring Creek, Rosebud, and Bull Mountains mines totaling tens of millions of tons and hundreds of jobs while powering plants. United States Antimony Corporation resumed domestic production under a $27 million Defense Production Act award and a $245 million Defense Logistics Agency contract. Grizzly bear management flexibility increased where recovery benchmarks are met. Fort Peck rural water and Crow Tribe water projects advanced. Arizona Visit Spotlights Semiconductors and Water Trump’s Arizona stop delivered WFTC results for 1.3 million seniors through the Social Security deduction. Average refunds were $3,659. The law safeguarded 119,000 jobs, $22 billion in state gross domestic product, and $11 billion in wages while providing $167 million in rural health funding. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is expanding its Phoenix facility with $200 billion. EVelution Energy is constructing an $850 million cobalt facility in Yuma County creating 3,300 jobs. Amkor Technology is building a $2 billion packaging plant in Peoria creating 2,200 jobs. Additional projects include Hadrian’s $200 million hub and Cyclic Materials’ facility. The Bureau of Reclamation invested $179 million in Phoenix’s North Gateway Advanced Water Purification Facility. Eighteen short-term System Conservation Implementation agreements conserved Colorado River water. Alaska Visit Unlocks Energy and Military Investment Trump visited Alaska on October 13. WFTC eliminated federal tax on tips for about 14,000 workers and on Social Security for 100,000 seniors. Average refunds reached $3,690. Rural health secured roughly $272 million. The law protected 11,000 jobs, $2 billion in state gross domestic product, and $1 billion in wages. A $150 million Defense Production Act award funds a power line serving 75 percent of residents. South Korean investment of $54 billion supports a natural gas pipeline. Nearly 82 percent of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska reopened to leasing. The Coastal Plain opened 1.56 million acres. The Ambler Road Project gained approval for critical minerals access. Fisheries opened on time, protecting $301.1 million in Gulf of Alaska value and $2.64 billion in Bering Sea value. Veterans Affairs awarded over $4 million for homeless support and opened a new Anchorage clinic. Military construction included hundreds of millions for barracks, runways, and facilities at Fort Wainwright and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson under the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, with more in the House-passed fiscal year 2027 bill. Three Bills Become Law on Water, Seafood, and Retirement On October 15, Trump signed S. 240, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, which amends the 2010 settlement to give the Crow Tribe in Montana more flexibility completing water and hydropower projects on its reservation. He also signed S. 283, the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act, directing the Department of Commerce to create a chemical-analysis method identifying the country of origin of seafood to combat illegal imports. Finally, he signed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act, amending the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to define adequate consideration for certain closely held stock, aiding employee ownership transitions. These measures address practical infrastructure, trade enforcement, and retirement security without expanding bureaucracy. Border Security Contrasts with Amnesty Costs A Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) report released October 15 quantified the cost of Democrats’ proposed mass amnesty and open-border policies at $49 trillion over ten years, or more than $350,000 per household. Lifetime costs per illegal alien reach $166,716, totaling $1.4 trillion to $1.9 trillion. Expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Housing and Urban Development, and Medicaid spending would add $36 billion to $47 billion annually. Under Trump, more than 3 million illegal aliens have left since his return. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded 16 consecutive months with zero illegal aliens released at the border. Southwest border apprehensions fell 94 percent in August from the prior monthly average. Customs and Border Protection seized 73 percent more drugs this fiscal year. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more than 10,000 gang members and 2,100 known or suspected terrorists while doubling its force to 22,000. Temporary Protected Status returned to its temporary intent. The Laken Riley Act, signed into law by Trump, requires detention of illegal aliens charged with violent crimes. The WFTC and Secure America Act, which Trump also signed into federal statute, provided historic border funding. Democratic Socialist Agenda Projects Massive New Spending An October 13 White House summary of the same CEA analysis warned that Democratic Socialists of America policies would add $49 trillion in debt over a decade, equaling $355,000 per household. Funding via higher taxes would shrink paychecks nearly 30 percent, costing $22,000 in annual income. Medicare for All would raise deficits by $47.4 trillion from 2027 to 2036, cut physician access 44 percent for those previously on employer plans, and reduce medical productivity 22 percent. Debt-financed spending could push 10-year Treasury rates above 10 percent and 30-year mortgages above 12 percent, adding roughly $1,100 to typical monthly payments. Economic output would fall 19.2 percent yearly, losing $72.5 trillion in gross domestic product over ten years. A 32-hour workweek mandate would raise unemployment from 4.1 percent to between 6.6 and 8.2 percent. Republicans contrast this with the largest tax cuts for working families, energy unlocking, and spending reductions in history. Education Oversight, Tip Tax Relief, and Inflation Data Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) demanded answers on October 15 from the University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco. This came after Department of Justice findings of race-based admissions discrimination favoring certain groups over white and Asian applicants, plus whistleblower claims of lowered standards. Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) highlighted No Tax on Tips success on October 15. A Missouri waitress received a refund over $10,000 covering a year of rent; a Texas server and one from Nebraska described practical bill relief; a Texas restaurant owner enjoys staff retention and makes expansion plans. On October 14, Smith responded to the Bureau of Labor Statistics September Consumer Price Index report showing core inflation at 2.6 percent. Despite being on the rise, he noted the statistic is less than half its Biden-Harris peak. Smith acknowledged ongoing high prices, attributing them to earlier government spending. A West Tennessee congressional field hearing on October 13 featured manufacturers and small businesses citing positive attributes of the OBBB. Points raised include permanent full expensing, the 20 percent small business deduction, and expanded child-care credits. These were credited as drivers of hiring, massive jobsite investments, and growing 401(k) plans. The Joint Economic Committee reported September headline Consumer Price Index up 0.65 percent to a 3.74 percent annual rate, with real weekly earnings down 0.51 percent. A separate brief warned interest payments on federal debt could consume 55 percent of non-payroll tax receipts by 2036. Under higher-rate scenarios, this would add $6 trillion in debt. These steps under President Trump’s administration, and the Republican congressional majority, highlight focused efforts to cut fraud, lower tax burdens, expand energy and manufacturing, secure the border, and demand accountability in education and research. Real progress comes from measurable results that protect taxpayers and communities while rejecting open-ended spending. Thanks for reading “Dr. Cotto's Digest.” If you like this newsletter, please give it a heart, retweet—and follow me! Full access to “Dr. Cotto's Digest” is only $3.00/month. Subscribe to this account for the plain truth about business and economic news that shapes your life: xitter.cf/JosephFordCotto/creato…

Republicans Unleash Nationwide War on Fraud While Delivering Tax Relief, Jobs, and Border Security Across America Americans understand that hard-earned tax dollars must support families, veterans, seniors, and communities rather than criminals who steal from government programs. President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance, head of the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, called on officials at every level of government on October 16 to join a pledge protecting vulnerable Americans, reserving benefits for citizens only, stopping fraud before payments leave, and holding thieves accountable. Cabinet secretaries, governors, attorneys general, state auditors, and members of Congress from both chambers quickly signed on. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported recovering millions from deceased individuals and overseas scams while auditing billions in contracts. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling highlighted $22 billion in uncovered labor fraud. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and others pledged to root out waste so programs serve those who need them. This coordinated effort restores accountability without partisan theater. Specific Recoveries and Enforcement Under the Fraud Pledge Vance’s pledge prompted detailed commitments from key officials on October 16. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported returning $175 million in payments destined for deceased individuals, expanding Do Not Pay access to 99 percent of federal programs, stopping nearly $190 million and returning over $100 million from overseas to U.S. victims, ordering an audit of approximately $9 billion in contracts, and proposing stronger eligibility checks for health insurance tax credits while sanctioning overseas scam networks. Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling noted $22 billion in labor fraud already uncovered. Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated more than $2 billion in student aid fraud had been prevented with real-time verification. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin cited over $30 billion in total savings from zero-tolerance actions. Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Cameron Hamilton reported protecting $1.3 billion last year from exploitation of disaster programs. Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel described eliminating tens of billions in intended fraud losses, including six Most Wanted Fraudster arrests worth over $2 billion in alleged fraud within three months. These steps emphasize tracing funds, recovering dollars, and prosecuting offenders before benefits leave the system. Georgia Visit Highlights Tax Cuts and Private Investment Trump returned to Georgia on October 16 with measurable gains from the Working Families Tax Cuts (WFTC), which he signed into law last year, as part of his One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB). Roughly 1.8 million seniors now face zero federal tax on Social Security benefits through a new deduction. Average tax refunds reached $3,169. The law safeguarded 198,000 jobs, $36 billion in state gross domestic product, and $18 billion in wages while delivering $219 million in first-year Rural Health Transformation Program funding. Private investment surged/ Pirelli is expanding its Rome facility with $1.2 billion and 1,000 jobs. Siemens is building a $185 million plant in Pendergrass creating 1,400 jobs. Other firms, including Mayville Engineering, DeltaX, ArcelorMittal, UCB, and Pratt & Whitney, are investing hundreds of millions more. Georgia Power froze base rates through 2029, saving typical households $180 annually. Farmers received more than $177 million through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program plus additional bridge payments. After Hurricane Helene, the federal cost-share rose to 90 percent with over $1 billion in Federal Emergency Management Agency funding. Montana Visit Advances Energy, Health, and Manufacturing On October 14, Trump’s visit to Montana underscored WFTC benefits for about 200,000 seniors who pay no federal tax on Social Security. Average refunds hit $3,304. The law protected 20,000 jobs, $4 billion in state gross domestic product, and $2 billion in wages. Rural health received $233 million in first-year funding, the fourth-highest nationally, plus $8.7 million for ambulances and equipment at 79 agencies. Certified community behavioral health clinics gained permanent funding. Janicki Industries is building an $800 million advanced manufacturing campus in Great Falls expected to create more than 1,000 jobs. Unemployment stood at 3.2 percent. Uncle Sam approved coal expansions at Spring Creek, Rosebud, and Bull Mountains mines totaling tens of millions of tons and hundreds of jobs while powering plants. United States Antimony Corporation resumed domestic production under a $27 million Defense Production Act award and a $245 million Defense Logistics Agency contract. Grizzly bear management flexibility increased where recovery benchmarks are met. Fort Peck rural water and Crow Tribe water projects advanced. Arizona Visit Spotlights Semiconductors and Water Trump’s Arizona stop delivered WFTC results for 1.3 million seniors through the Social Security deduction. Average refunds were $3,659. The law safeguarded 119,000 jobs, $22 billion in state gross domestic product, and $11 billion in wages while providing $167 million in rural health funding. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is expanding its Phoenix facility with $200 billion. EVelution Energy is constructing an $850 million cobalt facility in Yuma County creating 3,300 jobs. Amkor Technology is building a $2 billion packaging plant in Peoria creating 2,200 jobs. Additional projects include Hadrian’s $200 million hub and Cyclic Materials’ facility. The Bureau of Reclamation invested $179 million in Phoenix’s North Gateway Advanced Water Purification Facility. Eighteen short-term System Conservation Implementation agreements conserved Colorado River water. Alaska Visit Unlocks Energy and Military Investment Trump visited Alaska on October 13. WFTC eliminated federal tax on tips for about 14,000 workers and on Social Security for 100,000 seniors. Average refunds reached $3,690. Rural health secured roughly $272 million. The law protected 11,000 jobs, $2 billion in state gross domestic product, and $1 billion in wages. A $150 million Defense Production Act award funds a power line serving 75 percent of residents. South Korean investment of $54 billion supports a natural gas pipeline. Nearly 82 percent of the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska reopened to leasing. The Coastal Plain opened 1.56 million acres. The Ambler Road Project gained approval for critical minerals access. Fisheries opened on time, protecting $301.1 million in Gulf of Alaska value and $2.64 billion in Bering Sea value. Veterans Affairs awarded over $4 million for homeless support and opened a new Anchorage clinic. Military construction included hundreds of millions for barracks, runways, and facilities at Fort Wainwright and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson under the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, with more in the House-passed fiscal year 2027 bill. Three Bills Become Law on Water, Seafood, and Retirement On October 15, Trump signed S. 240, the Crow Tribe Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025, which amends the 2010 settlement to give the Crow Tribe in Montana more flexibility completing water and hydropower projects on its reservation. He also signed S. 283, the Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act, directing the Department of Commerce to create a chemical-analysis method identifying the country of origin of seafood to combat illegal imports. Finally, he signed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act, amending the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 to define adequate consideration for certain closely held stock, aiding employee ownership transitions. These measures address practical infrastructure, trade enforcement, and retirement security without expanding bureaucracy. Border Security Contrasts with Amnesty Costs A Council of Economic Advisers (CEA) report released October 15 quantified the cost of Democrats’ proposed mass amnesty and open-border policies at $49 trillion over ten years, or more than $350,000 per household. Lifetime costs per illegal alien reach $166,716, totaling $1.4 trillion to $1.9 trillion. Expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Housing and Urban Development, and Medicaid spending would add $36 billion to $47 billion annually. Under Trump, more than 3 million illegal aliens have left since his return. U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded 16 consecutive months with zero illegal aliens released at the border. Southwest border apprehensions fell 94 percent in August from the prior monthly average. Customs and Border Protection seized 73 percent more drugs this fiscal year. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested more than 10,000 gang members and 2,100 known or suspected terrorists while doubling its force to 22,000. Temporary Protected Status returned to its temporary intent. The Laken Riley Act, signed into law by Trump, requires detention of illegal aliens charged with violent crimes. The WFTC and Secure America Act, which Trump also signed into federal statute, provided historic border funding. Democratic Socialist Agenda Projects Massive New Spending An October 13 White House summary of the same CEA analysis warned that Democratic Socialists of America policies would add $49 trillion in debt over a decade, equaling $355,000 per household. Funding via higher taxes would shrink paychecks nearly 30 percent, costing $22,000 in annual income. Medicare for All would raise deficits by $47.4 trillion from 2027 to 2036, cut physician access 44 percent for those previously on employer plans, and reduce medical productivity 22 percent. Debt-financed spending could push 10-year Treasury rates above 10 percent and 30-year mortgages above 12 percent, adding roughly $1,100 to typical monthly payments. Economic output would fall 19.2 percent yearly, losing $72.5 trillion in gross domestic product over ten years. A 32-hour workweek mandate would raise unemployment from 4.1 percent to between 6.6 and 8.2 percent. Republicans contrast this with the largest tax cuts for working families, energy unlocking, and spending reductions in history. Education Oversight, Tip Tax Relief, and Inflation Data Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Michigan) demanded answers on October 15 from the University of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School of Medicine and the University of California, San Francisco. This came after Department of Justice findings of race-based admissions discrimination favoring certain groups over white and Asian applicants, plus whistleblower claims of lowered standards. Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith (R-Missouri) highlighted No Tax on Tips success on October 15. A Missouri waitress received a refund over $10,000 covering a year of rent; a Texas server and one from Nebraska described practical bill relief; a Texas restaurant owner enjoys staff retention and makes expansion plans. On October 14, Smith responded to the Bureau of Labor Statistics September Consumer Price Index report showing core inflation at 2.6 percent. Despite being on the rise, he noted the statistic is less than half its Biden-Harris peak. Smith acknowledged ongoing high prices, attributing them to earlier government spending. A West Tennessee congressional field hearing on October 13 featured manufacturers and small businesses citing positive attributes of the OBBB. Points raised include permanent full expensing, the 20 percent small business deduction, and expanded child-care credits. These were credited as drivers of hiring, massive jobsite investments, and growing 401(k) plans. The Joint Economic Committee reported September headline Consumer Price Index up 0.65 percent to a 3.74 percent annual rate, with real weekly earnings down 0.51 percent. A separate brief warned interest payments on federal debt could consume 55 percent of non-payroll tax receipts by 2036. Under higher-rate scenarios, this would add $6 trillion in debt. These steps under President Trump’s administration, and the Republican congressional majority, highlight focused efforts to cut fraud, lower tax burdens, expand energy and manufacturing, secure the border, and demand accountability in education and research. Real progress comes from measurable results that protect taxpayers and communities while rejecting open-ended spending. Thanks for reading “Dr. Cotto's Digest.” If you like this newsletter, please give it a heart, retweet—and follow me! Full access to “Dr. Cotto's Digest” is only $3.00/month. Subscribe to this account for the plain truth about business and economic news that shapes your life: xitter.cf/JosephFordCotto/creato…