Good afternoon folks - 

I came to Washington with a mission to cut reckless spending and stop government inefficiencies. With the government’s $19 trillion+ in debt representing $59,000 for each Iowan, now more than ever we need to cut wasteful and unnecessary spending. That's why each month I identify areas of government pork barrel spending, waste, fraud, and abuse and give out the Squeal Award.

Squeal Award: $86 Million for an Unused Aircraft

Earlier this year, a Department of Justice Inspector General Report found that the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and the Department of Defense (DoD) spent more than $86 million on an aircraft designed for counter narcotics efforts in Afghanistan that never actually flew there.

Not only did $86 million of our taxpayer money go to building an aircraft specifically for a combat zone that was never used in one, but it cost the Pentagon nearly four times more than the $22 million it was budgeted for. Plus, an additional $2 million was wasted on modifying a hangar for the aircraft that was never used. 

It’s unacceptable, and that's why I introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2017 Department of Defense Appropriations Act to block any future funding for DEA Afghanistan aircraft procurement unless a report is submitted to Congress on why it is needed and we are satisfied with the explanation. This amendment would ensure we are being fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars in our procurement of military equipment.

While some in Washington may think $86 million isn’t much, Iowans know better. We cannot continue down this reckless path of wasteful spending.

I hereby present this unused $86 million aircraft with this month’s Squeal Award. 

Do you have an example of government waste or inefficiencies that I should take a look at? Send me an email by clicking here.

Thank you!