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Porker of the Month: House Majority Whip James Clyburn
Watch CAGW's April Porker of the Month Video
Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) has named House Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-S.C.) Porker of the Month for trying to exploit the coronavirus crisis to implement a radical agenda. In March, Rep. Clyburn called the COVID-19 pandemic “a tremendous opportunity to restructure things to fit our vision.” By “our vision,” Rep. Clyburn meant the House Democrats’ attempt to take advantage of the crisis to shove frivolous expenditures into the $2.2 trillion CARES Act and make permanent changes to many wasteful programs. When he introduced the CARES Act, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warned, “Any [spending] doesn't address that pandemic … should not be considered.” Despite that reasonable request, Rep. Clyburn and House Democrats leveraged the bill to include items like a $25 million bailout for the Kennedy Center, which subsequently fired its staff. For attempting to take advantage of the coronavirus crisis to pursue a political agenda, Whip Clyburn in the April Porker of the Month. Read more about the porker of the month.
CCAGW Launches Campaign to Protect Taxpayers
CCAGW this month launched an Action Alert campaign targeting House and Senate members demanding that they protect the interests of taxpayers as the government continues to respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign demands that all funds allocated to address the crisis are spent responsibly and transparently; that money is not used to promote a partisan political agenda; and that spending is targeted to only address the pandemic. The campaign has delivered more than 8,000 letters to Capitol Hill offices to date. Tell your members of Congress that you demand that taxpayers are protected during the coronavirus response.
CAGW Announces Support for RSC’s Coronavirus Plan
CAGW this month announced its support for the Republican Study Committee’s (RSC) “blueprint for leading America through the COVID-19 pandemic.” Entitled “A Conservative Framework for Recovery, Accountability, and Prosperity,” the report from conservative House Republicans lays out proposals that address items from the healthcare response to national security. Responding to the release, CAGW President Tom Schatz said, “The RSC’s blueprint provides swift and substantial action right now for Congress to help all Americans through and beyond this crisis. The task force recommendations will play a vital role in determining how the government’s response can avoid an even more devastating impact on the economy and the country.” Read more about the RSC plan.
From “The WasteWatcher” …
On March 18, the government asked doctors and hospitals to stop performing routine preventative and elective medical procedures because of concerns that the healthcare system would be stretched beyond it’s capacity, explains Elizabeth Wright, CAGW Director of Health and Science Policy on CAGW’s blog, “The WasteWatcher.” While these actions reduce hospital usage, they also negatively impact health. The delay in routine cancer screenings and deferred treatments will worsen prognoses in the near future. The same outcome applies to deferred care for strokes, appendicitis, and heart attacks. A prominent New York City cardiologist believes that there are 200 uncounted deaths every day caused by these policies. As Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Brent Giroir said, “social and economic issues are even more important to our health than the medical care we receive.” He noted that when the economy was “roaring” prior to COVID-19, the mortality rate was lower and life expectancy was greater. This is why leaders in Washington and state capitols should move as quickly as possible to create the testing and antibody capacity required to safely reopen the economy, concludes Wright. Read more on “The WasteWatcher,” CAGW’s staff blog.
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Take Action!
Tell Congress: Protect Taxpayers During Coronavirus!
Tell the Senate: No Perks for Past Presidents!
Tell Congress: No Student Loan Bailout!
Tell Your U.S. Senators: No Medicare for All!
Tell Your U.S. Representative: No Green New Deal!
Tell Congress: Reinstate Medicare’s Best Fraud-Fighting Program!
Commentary
“Community Development Block Grants Have No Role in Fighting Coronavirus”
by Tom Schatz, President
The Hill
April 30, 2020
“Net Neutrality Repeal Is Helping Technology Companies Manage Coronavirus Boom”
by Deborah Collier, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs
Washington Examiner
April 27, 2020
“Insurers Are Not Banks”
by Elizabeth Wright, Director of Health and Science Policy
Inside Sources
April 15, 2020
“Maintaining Privacy While Staying Connected”
by Deborah Collier, Vice President of Policy and Government Affairs
Morning Consult
April 14, 2020
“Lost in Space: Time to Rethink the Space Launch System”
by Sean Kennedy, Director of Research
Federal Times
April 6, 2020
In the News ...
Augusta Chronicle
(April 26, 2020)
“A Crisis, Going to Waste”
Epoch Times
(April 21, 2020)
"Citizens Against Government Waste Compiles Earmark Database as 'Potent Reminder' Against 'Costly, Inequitable, and Corrupting' Practice”
FOX News
(April 2, 2020)
“Cuomo Critics Highlight Years of Taxpayer Waste, Amid Deepening Coronavirus Crisis in New York”
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