Lobbying, Political Organizations Await Stimulus Package Bailout |
Monday, 26 January 2009 00:00 |
WASHINGTON. D.C. – House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-CA) today expressed concern regarding the exclusion of good government provisions in the proposed Pelosi-Obey stimulus package including a failure to prohibit use of economic stimulus funds for lobbying or political activities.
“The economic stimulus should not be a bailout for lobbyists or a vehicle for political payback,” said Issa. “Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac spent more than $170 million on lobbying, while groups like ACORN use taxpayer funds to advance a partisan agenda. Already, this Congress is prepared to repeat the failed policies that created the financial crisis and the mismanaged Wall Street bailout. More and more, this ‘stimulus’ is looking like a mad rush to expand government and steer billions of dollars to political supporters.”
Issa also expressed deep reservations regarding provisions in the stimulus waiving rules that would prevent waste, fraud, and abuse – including provisions that will expand housing funds available to organizations such as ACORN.
“According to the Congressional Budget, less than half of the Democrat stimulus will be spent in the next two years, yet Speaker Pelosi appears eager to use an economic crisis as a guise to fast-track funds for political allies such as ACORN and MoveOn.org” added Issa. “This failure to prohibit the use of funds for lobbying or political purposes is outrageous.”
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act:
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