HELENA, Mont.—Gov. Greg Gianforte has joined 21 other governors in signing Vice President JD Vance’s Pledge to Protect Americans from Fraud, an initiative aimed at reducing fraud and improper payments in taxpayer-funded government programs.
The pledge calls for stronger oversight of public assistance programs, improved fraud prevention measures and increased accountability for individuals who improperly obtain government benefits.
“For too long, waste, fraud, and abuse have bogged down systems and benefits meant to support the most at need in our communities,” Gianforte said. “I am proud to join fellow governors in signing onto Vice President JD Vance’s pledge to ensure Montanans are put first and those who are taking advantage of taxpayer funds are held accountable.”
Vance chairs President Donald Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, which is charged with identifying ways to reduce fraud, waste and abuse across federal programs.
The governors’ pledge outlines several priorities, including protecting vulnerable individuals from financial fraud, ensuring taxpayer-funded benefits reach eligible recipients and encouraging government agencies to identify fraudulent claims before payments are issued.
It also calls for prosecuting individuals responsible for fraud, including undocumented immigrants accused of improperly obtaining government benefits.
The pledge does not establish new laws or funding requirements. Instead, it represents a commitment by participating governors to support the administration’s anti-fraud priorities and coordinate efforts across state and federal agencies.
Gianforte signed alongside governors from 21 other states, including neighboring Idaho, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. Other participating states include Texas, Florida’s neighboring state of Alabama, Ohio, Tennessee and Utah.
The White House has encouraged additional federal, state and local officials to join the initiative as part of its broader effort to strengthen oversight of government spending.
The announcement did not identify specific new enforcement measures Montana would adopt or provide an estimate of fraudulent payments within the state’s public assistance programs.