Bill Would Require California To Repay $21 Billion Before Spending Any More Federal Money

California’s fiscal responsibility has been on display for generations, but the latest crop of far-left politicians has been escalating the absurdity.

Most recently, the Trump administration is taking the Golden State to task for its negligence to the tune of more than $21 million in unpaid federal COVID-19 loans.

One Republican representing the state in Congress, however, says he has a solution.

Fox News had this report:

Rep. Vince Fong, R-Calif., will introduce legislation on Tuesday that would require California to pay its outstanding $21 billion loan to the federal government before spending federal money on other programs.

Under Fong’s bill, California would have to direct eligible federal funds toward repayment within five business days of the money becoming available. If it violates that provision, the state would have to pay the full amount of misused funds to the federal government.

California is the only state that has not paid back its loans for a COVID-19-era program that helped states finance a surge in claims for unemployment benefits with federal money. Instead, the state’s federal unemployment debt continues to climb and is projected to top $23 billion by the end of the year, according to CalMatters.

The news fueled plenty of backlash on social media:

They have no money. It’s a paper economy easily replaceable by AI. Their government pension is teetering. Real estate is crashing as the exodus continues. The fact that Hollywood is still behind these failed D’Rats speaks volumes. California is run by a doomsday cult.

— Ray D. (@RayD1413075) May 19, 2026

Oh look!! California is the ONLY state who owes 21 BILLION in paying back the government that helped them during COVID… surprise. pic.twitter.com/cKzrEwGYhN

— Reformed Leftist🤘 (@Alwaysseekthet1) May 19, 2026

How about the 21 billion from COVID unemployment relief? That was a loan, and we are the only state that hasn’t paid us back.

— Chris Larson (@ChrisLarso17509) May 19, 2026

Here’s what WBFF added about Fong’s proposal:

“Fraud and mismanagement aren’t isolated incidents in Gavin Newsom’s California — they’ve become systemic failures with real consequences,” Fong said in a statement. “Rather than using the state’s past $98 billion budget surplus to pay down that debt, Sacramento shifted the burden onto employers through automatic payroll tax hikes. Enough is enough.”

“My legislation restores accountability, protects our local small businesses and farmers, and prevents California job creators from being punished for Sacramento’s negligence,” he added.

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Fong has criticized Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom for failing to prioritize repaying the debt despite a nearly $100 billion budget surplus in 2022. California Democrats, instead, continued funding infrastructure projects, homelessness initiatives, and subsidized health insurance for illegal immigrants.

Of course, unpaid loans almost sound quaint in comparison to some of the fraud being dug up by the Trump administration these days: