Schakowsky, who requested the report, said, “The systematic waste of taxpayer dollars at the Defense Department is soaring.  This report about the misuse of calling cards and cell phones by Navy personnel is another example of the virtually unchecked financial mismanagement at the Pentagon that is costing taxpayers billions of dollars.  It is shameful that while the Bush Administration is letting violators and abusers of government-issued cell phones and calling cards off the hook, families are forced to send their sons and daughters deployed around the world calling cards to phone home.”

“The Pentagon continues to waste billions of dollars a year, is unable to pass an audit and cannot account for over $1 trillion in financial transactions, yet the Bush Administration continues to demand from Congress and the American public record budget increases for the Defense Department.  At the same time the Bush Administration has failed to deliver essential equipment and crucial services to some of our soldiers serving in Iraq and other war zones, and has neglected their families and our veterans' health and welfare needs.  Before another dollar is added to the defense budget, it is our responsibility to clean up waste, fraud and abuse at the Pentagon and ensure that our men and women in uniform are never without the resources they need,” Schakowsky continued.