WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) released the following audio statement today after expressing concern over the change in U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) error rates, and calling for a full account of the change:

“This is Senator Pat Roberts. Out of control government spending is one of the top concerns I hear from Kansans. At a time when families are doing more with less, the federal government should be doing the same.

“This is why I became concerned when USDA changed its definition of an error in the food stamp program or what we call the SNAP program.

“Basically this change means that USDA is willing to forgive errors in overpayment to households that are 50 dollars or less. Previously, it was considered an error if there was an overpayment of only 25 dollars.

“Folks, an error is an error. 25 dollars here and there in a program with 46 million beneficiaries can really add up.

“In order to determine the integrity of this 75 billion a year program, we need to crack down on waste and abuse. We need a real assessment of the errors. In this economy and budgetary climate, we need accountability. I have asked USDA to give me a full accounting of this change and what it means for the taxpayer. We will get to the bottom of it.”