Watchdog Urges President Trump to Reinstate CARES Act Inspector General

For Immediate Release
April 7, 2020
Contact: Grace Morgan
(202-855-4380)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Taxpayers Protection Alliance (TPA) urged President Trump to reinstate the inspector general (IG) tasked with overseeing the disbursement of more than $2.2 trillion in relief spending authorized by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. ABC News and the Associated Press reported on April 7 that, “President Donald Trump has sidelined the inspector general who was tapped to chair a special oversight board of the $2.2 trillion economic package…Glenn Fine, the acting Defense Department inspector general and a veteran watchdog, had been selected by peers last month for the oversight position.” This act by the President leaves it unclear as to who will monitor relief package spending for waste, fraud, and abuse.

TPA President David Williams expressed deep concern about the sidelining of the IG, noting, “having a strong and independent inspector general is essential to oversight. And, in my 27 years in Washington, D.C. advocating on behalf of taxpayers, I’ve seen firsthand how easily ‘relief’ or ‘stimulus’ spending can morph into wasteful spending that enriches cronies instead of struggling households. The historically large spending bill and other potential relief bills are no different. Without any oversight, there’s nothing to prevent hundreds of billions of dollars from being misdirected or misspent. It’s especially critical at such a tumultuous time to have a strong watchdog that prevents hard-earned taxpayer dollars from falling into the wrong hands.”

Williams continued: “From Day One, TPA called for a dedicated IG to make sure that $2.2 trillion in relief funds are well-spent and help families keep food on the table and assist businesses in keeping workers on payroll. We were pleased to see policymakers acknowledge these concerns and include language in the CARES Act establishing a dedicated watchdog to look after taxpayer dollars. Following the passage and signing of the law, a group of independent federal watchdogs selected acting Defense Department IG Glenn Fine to take charge and keep tabs on the disbursement of CARES Act funds. Fine is an upstanding civil servant and competent federal watchdog, and it’s unclear why the President has chosen to sideline him. But without a suitable replacement, the relief package will become yet another sorry example of federal profligacy.”

Williams concluded: “It’s disappointing, but not all that surprising, that elected officials have failed to prioritize the push for transparency and accountability. TPA, along with like-minded, bipartisan groups championing good government policies, will continue to hold policymakers accountable for wasteful spending and call for the reinstatement of a competent IG with ample experience. President Trump and Congress should also work together to create a website where taxpayers can see which businesses are benefiting from CARES Act loans and grants. These measures will ensure that taxpayers are being treated fairly at a time of unprecedented spending.”

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