Rand Paul Discovers $52 Billion Of Government Waste In 2021, Goes Public
U.S. Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) went digging and discovered $52,598,515,585 in government waste for the year 2021. Paul detailed the waste in his 2021 “Festivus” Report. He wrote:
“You’d almost think the government’s annual New Year Resolution is to spend more and more money. Well, it is! Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects more than $1.2 trillion in deficits for Fiscal Year 2022. In fact, CBO states Congress spent $6.8 trillion in Fiscal Year 2021, $266 billion more than FY2020. Why continue to recklessly spend taxpayers’ money when debt held by the public is already at 103% of GDP?
“This year, I am highlighting a whopping $52,598,515,585 of waste, including a study of pigeons gambling on slot machines, giving kids junk food, and telling citizens of Vietnam not to burn their trash. No matter how much money’s already been wasted, politicians keep demanding even more. But don’t worry, I will continue to fight against government waste.
So, before we get to the Feats of Strength, it’s time for my Airing of (spending) Grievances!
US bought Afghanistan planes that were later thrown away (DOD) $549,000,000
US-constructed buildings in Afghanistan left sitting unused (DOD) $2,400,000,000
COVID relief grant for NYC to display art projects across the cit $25,000,000
Ineligible and duplicate PPP loans (SBA) $4,290,000,000
Improper CARES Act unemployment insurance payments $36,000,000,000
Constructing border walls in the Middle East and North Africa (DOD) $250,000,000
Free trips for Korean kids to visit D.C. (USAID) $150,000
Grinding up ferrets to develop COVID and flu vaccines $4,500,000
Tax Credit incentivizing CA residents to uninstall fireplaces $2,100,000
Translating books into the Georgian language (State) $182,741
Teaching French people about US culture (State) $200,000
Giving irrigation systems to Afghan farmers left unused (USAID) $88,000,000
Developing a film about dinosaurs to inspire middle schoolers (NSF) $2,500,000
Pigeons playing slot machines (NIH) $465,339
Telling people to not burn their trash (USAID) $11,300,000
Funding Green Energy programs in Africa (State) $179,000,000
DC Metro paid Lyft to subsidize riders $28,005
Attempting to replace an assault vehicle over 2 decades (DOD) $3,400,000,000
Funding the Wilson Center to put on parties for Congressmen $14,000,000
Study verified that hearing bad news decreases happiness levels (NIA) $1,300,000
Planting trees in New York City $400,000,000
Government paid for students who didn’t actually attend those schools $2,100,000
Kids crave junk food and gain weight if they’re exposed to it (NIDDK) $352,000
Getting high schoolers excited about being airplane pilots (FAA) $5,000,000
Fattening eels for human consumption (FDA) $337,500
Social Security overpayments to beneficiaries in Fiscal Year 2019 (SSA) $4,200,000,000
Foreign countries use our aircraft for free for 4 years (DOD) $773,000,000
TAXPAYER DOLLARS WASTED: $52,598,515,585.00
Read the full report here.
1. Foreign countries use our aircraft for free for 4 years (DOD) $773,000,000
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 23, 2021
2. US bought Afghanistan planes that were later thrown away (DOD) $549,000,000
3. Funding Green Energy programs in Africa (State) $179,000,000
4. • Fattening eels for human consumption (FDA) $337,500