Watchdog Group Warns Against Growing Size and Scope of Government Following Afghanistan Crisis

For Immediate Release                                                                        Contact: Courtney Mattison (202-525-7492)

August 19, 2021                                                                                                                

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Following the chaotic and tragic events unfolding in Afghanistan, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA), a non-partisan, non-profit taxpayer and consumer watchdog organization, is urging members of Congress to refocus on ensuring the American people get answers and accountability from the Biden administration. Now is not the time to dramatically expand the power of an administration facing serious questions of basic competency.

TPA President David Williams and Vice President of Policy Patrick Hedger offered the following comments:

“While there is no doubt that blame for the crisis in Afghanistan extends to both parties and across multiple administrations, the Biden administration has exhibited shocking levels of indifference and incompetency in its handling of this predictable and predicted outcome.

“Watching senior administration officials, including the President himself, either duck questions or shrug off the imminent danger to American lives and those of our allies, not to mention the loss of billions of dollars-worth of taxpayer-funded resources, is absolutely unacceptable.

“Yet, this administration expects that in the coming weeks this Congress will hand it nearly $5 trillion in taxpayer funds and associated powers. The Biden administration seems downright restless to pivot toward its sweeping domestic agenda to save face. During this deep crisis in confidence, Congress should reject President Biden’s desperate ploy.

“The level of spending and new authority this administration is lobbying for would be unwieldy and rife with waste, fraud, and abuse in the hands of even the most competent of public servants. For Congress to almost immediately reward an administration that neglected its basic and critical constitutional task to protect Americans abroad would shake public confidence in yet another branch of the government.

“The priority for Congress upon their return from August recess should be immediate accountability for the multiple crises at hand, lest we forget the ongoing pandemic and continued mixed-messages from the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration. Now is not the time for new, radical, and expensive adventures in governance with the Biden administration at the helm.”

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Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to educating the public through the research, analysis and dissemination of information on the government’s effects on the economy.