The federal government is set to spend at least $294 billion of taxpayer money on hundreds of expired programs this year alone, according to a report released Thursday.
The 19-page “America’s Most Wasted” report from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., is the first in a series of oversight studies meant to shed a light on wasteful and duplicative government spending.
In 2014, the government spent $302 billion on federal programs no longer authorized to receive tax dollars. The $294 billion being spent this year stems from a report released by the Congressional Budget Office in January.
“I believe the ‘America’s Most Wasted’ reports should serve as a wake-up call to Congress and the American people keep their government accountable by demanding an end to wasteful government spending. At a time when Americans’ disapproval of government is at an all-time high, it has never been more important to reign-in spending and put our fiscal house back in order,” McCain said in a statement.
Some of the wasteful projects include:
• $50,000 for the Army to research the bomb-detecting capabilities of elephants
• $30,000 for puppet shows in Vermont
• $49 million of National Guard spending on pro sports advertising
• $14 million for duplicative Catfish Inspection Office
• $15,000 for EPA to study pollution from your backyard BBQ
Future reports in the “America’s Most Wasted” series will highlight wasteful spending in other government agencies, including the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
Read the full report, HERE.
