Watchdog Slams Massive End-Of-Year Spending Bill

For Immediate Release
December 20, 2020
Contact: Grace Morgan
(202-855-4380)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), a national taxpayer and consumer watchdog organization, urged every member of Congress to vote against the end-of-year spending bill that will cost taxpayers more than $2 trillion.  Congress failed to do their job and pass the spending bills before the end of the fiscal year on September 30^th.  Also, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) admitted to delaying a COVID relief bill because of political considerations. 

TPA President David Williams noted, “’Twas the weekend before Christmas and all through the House (and Senate), too many creatures were stirring, passing a multi-trillion spending and relief bill without any hearings or oversight.  It is fiscally irresponsible for Congress to be passing these spending measures without any opportunity for real scrutiny.  There is no way that every member of Congress will be able to read what’s in the bill before passage. Also, TPA (and other watchdogs) have had very little time to analyze the contents of the legislation.  With House leadership calling for a return to earmarks, it is very possible that earmarks have been slipped into the final legislation.  Another glaring problem with the Omnibus is that Congress put language on surprise medical bills into the final package. Fundamentally changing the healthcare system deserves more oversight to make sure that doctors and patients are truly protected.”

Williams continued, “While we appreciate that Congress is trying to help struggling Americans with another COVID relief bill, this is a sloppy way to do that.  Members of Congress who have either lost an election or are retiring get one final shot at funding their pet projects.  Congress should pass a continuing resolution until the next Congress is seated so watchdogs and citizens have more time to understand the contents.”

Williams concluded, “This won’t be a very Merry Christmas for taxpayers because the lump of coal in their stockings will be the increased deficit and debt they will incur as a result of this package.”

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