Republican Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) has discovered that $52,598,515,585 in taxpayer money was wasted by the government in 2021 alone.
Sen. Paul detailed the waste in his 2021 “Festivus Report.”
“You’d almost think the government’s annual New Year Resolution is to spend more and more money,” the Kentucky senator writes.
“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
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— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) December 23, 2021
