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Audit the Stimulus
Posted by Randy | December 10, 2009

Just a few weeks ago, we saw that the official government website that tracks current stimulus spending included phantom congressional districts, like the 00th Congressional District of Virginia, and proved to have little oversight or accountability over where stimulus money is actually going. A report last month by the nonpartisan General Accounting Office found one in 10 jobs reportedly created by the stimulus is fake and that “significant reporting and processing (stimulus) problems that need to be addressed.” 

What’s interesting is that the stimulus bill signed into law in February actually authorizes the creation of a five-member commission to monitor its operation and results. But the Administration has yet to establish the oversight board. 

Americans deserve to understand where the billions and billions of their taxpayer dollars are being spent. I’ve cosponsored the National Commission on American Recovery and Reinvestment Act that would create a commission to audit the stimulus. It would create a ten member panel, appointed by the President and Democrat and Republican leaders in the House and Senate, to: 

  • Investigate how many jobs have actually been saved or created by the stimulus bill.
  • Determine the circumstances in which those jobs have been saved or created.
  • Investigate the effectiveness of measures taken to prevent the improper payment of funds. 

Following the investigation, the Commission would make recommendations on what changes could be made to save or create more jobs and what steps can be taken to prevent the improper allocation of taxpayer dollars. 

It’s time we demand answers one of the largest spending bills in American history.
Comments
The opinions expressed below are those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent those of this office.
  • C Strickland commented on 12/11/2009
    Yes, we do need oversight on where this money is going and how efficiently it is being used. If it is not being investigated, then when people look back Democrats will say it worked and Republicans will say it didn't. We need a bipartisan commission just like this one to investigate this spending and provide specific analysis of the results.
  • Phyllis Thompson commented on 4/1/2010
    The American people are very much in favor of an oversight commission to track how the stimulus monies are being spent and are they truly helping in the areas intended. Another concern is when the oversight commissions are picked are we just getting people that both parties favorably pick knowing they will report what they want them to. How about giving some honest hardworking people the opportunity to be a part of some of the commissions so we can truly feel represented and know that we will get a fair investigation. We love our country and want to be part of the solution and not part of the problem. Thanks for listening.
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