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“There’s Nothing Like Accountability, Man” – 2 Years To The Day After Biden Announced Plan To Cut Government Waste, Agencies Still Living Large

June 13, 2013

  • Two years ago today, Vice President Biden announced a White House plan to cut taxpayer waste in government agencies.

  • Yet today, it’s clear the Obama administration has not only failed to live up to its promise – things appear to have gotten even worse.

  • Last year, it was revealed the GSA spent millions on lavish conferences and bonuses. It also recently came to light that the IRS spent $50 million on conferences, even one including a “happiness expert.”

  • After 4 years in office, the Obama administration’s broken promises are piling up. Two years to the day after committing to root out the waste of taxpayer dollars, it’s clear that the party hasn’t stopped in Washington.

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On June 13, 2011, Vice President Biden Announced A White House Plan To Cut Taxpayer Waste In Government Agencies. “Today, the Vice President hosted an event at the White House where he announced that the President has asked him to take on a new role holding the Cabinet accountable for cutting waste in their agencies as part of the Administration’s ongoing effort to make government more accountable to the American people.” (Erin Lindsay, “Vice President Biden To Take On Making Government More Accountable,” White House Blog, 6/13/11)

  • Upon Announcing The Program, Vice President Joe Biden Said “There’s Nothing Like Accountability, Man.” (Joe Biden, Remarks, Washington, DC, 6/13/11)
  • Biden Also Lamented The Waste Of Taxpayer Funds And Vowed To Step “Up The Hunt For Misspent Dollars.” “‘For too long the federal government has allowed billions of taxpayer dollars to be wasted on inefficiencies,” said Vice President Biden. “Over the last two years, we have been slashing waste across government and today we are putting Washington on notice:  the President and I are committed to changing the way government works and we are stepping up the hunt for misspent dollars.‘” (Erin Lindsay, “Vice President Biden To Take On Making Government More Accountable,” White House Blog, 6/13/11)

The IRS Spent $50 Million On Conferences Over Two Years. “A government watchdog has found that the Internal Revenue Service spent about $50 million to hold at least 220 conferences for employees between 2010 and 2012, a House committee said Sunday.” (“House Report: IRS Spent $50M On Conferences,” Associated Press, 6/2/13)

During One Conference, The GSA Gave Away $3.6 Million In Taxpayer-Funded Bonuses. “According to the records, more than 3,700 employees received bonuses averaging about $1,000 apiece at the conference. The cost to taxpayers was $3.6 million — minus the cost of the drumsticks, and the consultant who headed up the exercise. (Doug McKelway, “Documents Show Dozens Of Questionable GSA Conferences, Millions In Bonuses,” Fox News, 7/31/12)

  • One GSA Regional Conference Spent $822,000 For Just 300 Attendees. “A GSA Inspector General’s report on the 2010 GSA “Western Regions” training conference in Las Vegas shows the government spent more than $822,000 for the 300 attendees, including $75,000 on team building exercises, $6,000 on commemorative coins and $6,000 on canteens, keychains and T-shirts.”  (Lesa Jansen, “GSA Head Resigns Over ‘Wasteful’ Las Vegas Seminar,” CNN, 4/2/12)