1. United States
2. Ind.
3. Letter

Dear Member of Congress, I am writing to express strong opposition to H.R. 7114. This legislation authorizes taxpayer-funded “rewards” to incentivize individuals to inform on others—a model with a long and troubling historical precedent. Across numerous regimes, incentivized citizen reporting has repeatedly proven corrosive to social trust, community stability, and democratic norms. Rather than strengthening rule of law, such systems foster fear, suspicion, and division, especially during periods of social strain. At a time when civil unrest is real and public trust in institutions is already fragile, Congress should be actively working to reduce polarization—not encouraging mechanisms that pit neighbors against one another through financial incentives. Equally troubling is the fiscal context in which this proposal is being advanced. The United States faces a historic deficit alongside unresolved funding crises affecting healthcare access, Social Security solvency, cost-of-living pressures, inflation, and the continued devaluation of the U.S. dollar. Americans are also voicing sustained concern about federal spending priorities, including foreign aid and domestic accountability. Against this backdrop, it is difficult to justify allocating taxpayer funds as “rewards” to support a department whose budget is already bloated and whose record on hiring practices, oversight, and accountability has raised repeated concerns. Before expanding authority or funding mechanisms, Congress should be demanding demonstrable reform, transparency, and restraint. Public money should be directed toward stabilizing households, restoring trust, and addressing urgent material needs—not underwriting programs that incentivize surveillance, deepen division, and shift institutional responsibility onto civilians. I urge you to oppose H.R. 7114 and instead focus on policies that strengthen social cohesion, fiscal responsibility, and accountable governance. Thank you.