Rep. Gosar Passes Amendment Prohibiting Funds for Unused Afghanistan Patrol Boats

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Congressman Paul Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) released the following statement after his amendment to prohibit wasteful spending in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act successfully passed the House by unanimous consent.

“I am pleased to see the House support my continued efforts to cut waste, fraud and abuse within the federal government. My amendment prohibits the Department of Defense from wasting more money on storage for eight patrol boats which have already cost taxpayers more than $3 million. These boats have never been used and have been sitting in storage in Afghanistan for almost four years.

“Recent media reports as well as an Inspector General report brought this issue to my attention and the wasteful spending involved is deplorable. These boats either need to be put in the water or resold per federal law.”

Background:

In 2010, the federal government spent more than $3 million dollars on patrol boats for the Afghan National Police that were never shipped to landlocked Afghanistan.

According to the Office of the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction, the cost of each patrol boat was more than $265,000. The Washington Post has reported that similar patrol boats can be purchased in the United States for approximately $50,000.

The Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction’s report can be found HERE.

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