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[Image]([link removed]
urce_code=3DCAGW12207)

John,

As summer vacations were winding down, Citizens Against Government Waste (C=
AGW) took no time off from being laser=E2=80=91focused on eliminating gover=
nment waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement throughout August.

From restoring common sense governing to reforming critical systems, we tra=
cked waste from the Universal Service Fund to overdue upgrades in federal I=
T systems and spotlighted costly large=E2=80=91scale deals like the $900 mi=
llion subsidy for the Utah Jazz's new basketball arena.

In healthcare, we kept an eye on the Senate HELP Committee hearing that und=
erscored serious abuses of the 340B Drug Discount Program, spotlighting how=
the failure to define a patient along with lax eligibility and oversight a=
llow hospitals and contract pharmacies to profit at the expense of patients=
and the public purse.

True to our mission, CAGW continued calling for accountability alongside ac=
tionable reform. Whether we were confronting systemic inefficiencies, ampli=
fying legislative urgency, or sounding the alarm on 340B=E2=80=99s growing =
misuse, August was about advancing solutions that protect both taxpayers an=
d promote more efficiency in programs that are truly needed.

Here is your August edition of CAGW's Government Waste Watch eNews:

----------------------------------------

Porker of the Month [[link removed]]

[Image]

Citizens Against Government Waste named=C2=A0Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) t=
he August 2025 Porker of the Month=C2=A0for once again leading Congress in =
pork-barrel spending.

As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Collins has already r=
equested more than=C2=A0$400 million in earmarks for FY 2026,=C2=A0the most=
of any member of Congress, after securing=C2=A0231 earmarks worth $575.6 m=
illion in FY 2024, which was also the most of any member of Congress.

Previous earmarks like subsidies for lobster and blueberry research and fun=
ds for the Bangor Opera House and Portland Museum of Art are typical of her=
leading role in procuring prolific amounts of pork-barrel earmarks and sho=
wing blatant disregard for taxpayers nationwide.

[Learn More About the Porker of the Month]([link removed]
_9XJ-JlNos)

----------------------------------------

# CAGW's=C2=A0WasteWatcher=C2=A0Keeps an Eye on Every Corner of Government =
Spending
------------------------------------------------------

Combatting Improper Payments in Federal Spending [[link removed]
ating-improper-payments-in-federal-spending/]

Improper payments have long been an avoidable drain on the federal budget a=
nd are often prominently featured as an example of wasteful spending. So it=
was not surprising that cutting back on the proliferation of such payments=
was the first recommendation in an updated Government Accountability Offic=
e (GAO) report on open proposals to improve government operations.

Improved Permitting Process Will Streamline Broadband Deployment [Improper =
payments have long been an avoidable drain on the federal budget and are of=
ten prominently featured as an example of wasteful spending. It is therefo=
re not surprising that in the August 12, 2025, Government Accountability Of=
fice (GAO) updated report on open recommendations to improve government ope=
rations, reducing fraud and improper payments was first on the list.]

The Federal Communications Commission is taking action to reduce paperwork =
and speed up the build out of broadband and mobile networks to unserved and=
underserved communities across the country. This will help to expedite not=
only BEAD projects but also funding from dozens of other federal broadband=
programs.

This Week in Waste: August 22, 2025 [[link removed]
e-august-22-2025/]

This week=E2=80=99s roundup features recommended reforms for the Universal =
Service Fund, taxpayer savings thanks to BEAD program changes, an egregious=
example of wasteful stadium subsidies in Utah, and the elimination of a Ne=
w Green Deal initiative that was wasting taxpayer dollars.

State BEAD Expected to Show Taxpayer Savings [[link removed]
ad-expected-to-show-taxpayer-savings/]

States across the country are working to finalize their final Broadband Equ=
ity, Access, and Deployment funding proposals to the National Telecommunica=
tions and Information Administration by the September 4, 2025, deadline.

Universal Service Fund Remains Ripe for Reform [[link removed]
sal-service-fund-remains-ripe-for-reform/]

The Universal Service Fund (USF) remains outdated, wasteful, and poorly man=
aged. Thankfully, Sens. Ben Ray Luj=C3=A1n (D-N.M.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.=
)=C2=A0announced [[link removed]
JtZy1lbmM6aDBlTFJDSVpzTWFPNllPUVlIa2dTN1laUHZ0cUNPWkkiLCJyaSI6IjAiLCJycSI6I=
jAyLXQyNTI0MS0zZGQyNGY4Y2NjMTk0NjJhOTQ5YjEyYjhhYWFlNmI4MyIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1=
aSI6IjciLCJ1biI6IiIsInUiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5sdWphbi5zZW5hdGUuZ292L25ld3Nyb29=
tL3ByZXNzLXJlbGVhc2VzL2x1amFuLWZpc2NoZXItYW5ub3VuY2UtYmlwYXJ0aXNhbi1iaWNhbW=
VyYWwtdW5pdmVyc2FsLXNlcnZpY2UtZnVuZC13b3JraW5nLWdyb3VwLyJ9/fZODlk8HqgC9n8_z=
a0OfQA]=C2=A0the reconstitution of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Congres=
sional Working Group to address reforming the USF.

This Week in Waste - August 15, 2025 [[link removed]
te-august-15-2025/]

In this roundup, the GAO finds 69 federal IT systems that need modernizing,=
including 11 that are in critical condition; the Senate HELP committee hig=
hlights the need to reform the 340B drug pricing program; Sen. Joni Ernst (=
R-Iowa) proposes terminating the USDA's wasteful Community Connect Grant pr=
ogram; President Trump signs an executive order to enable competition in th=
e commercial space industry that tracks a longstanding Grace Commission rec=
ommendation; and more.

Senate HELP Committee Hearing Highlights Need to Reform 340B [[link removed]
agw.org/senate-help-committee-hearing-highlights-need-to-reform-340b/]

The 340B Drug Discount Program is a wasteful and regressive reverse Robin H=
ood program that robs from indigent patients and smaller hospitals and give=
s to large hospitals and pharmacies. A Senate HELP Committee report and hea=
ring should serve as a jumping off point for Congress to make much-needed r=
eforms to the program that CAGW has been promoting for years.

GAO Reconfirms Federal IT Must Be Modernized [[link removed]
nfirms-federal-it-must-be-modernized/]

CAGW has long been=C2=A0critical [[link removed]
kyNjA2OTcsImUiOiJtZy1lbmM6aDBlTFJDSVpzTWFPNllPUVlIa2dTN1laUHZ0cUNPWkkiLCJya=
SI6IjAiLCJycSI6IjAyLXQyNTI0MS0zZGQyNGY4Y2NjMTk0NjJhOTQ5YjEyYjhhYWFlNmI4MyIs=
Im0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjExIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2Fndy5vcmcvbW9=
kZXJuaXppbmctZmVkZXJhbC1pbmZvcm1hdGlvbi10ZWNobm9sb2d5LyJ9/D21O-qCTNpQsGjEj9=
k-zeA]=C2=A0of the federal government's =C2=A0failure to update its IT syst=
ems.=C2=A0In its July 17, 2025,=C2=A0report [[link removed]
/eyJhaSI6OTkyNjA2OTcsImUiOiJtZy1lbmM6aDBlTFJDSVpzTWFPNllPUVlIa2dTN1laUHZ0cU=
NPWkkiLCJyaSI6IjAiLCJycSI6IjAyLXQyNTI0MS0zZGQyNGY4Y2NjMTk0NjJhOTQ5YjEyYjhhY=
WFlNmI4MyIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjEyIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9maWxlcy5n=
YW8uZ292L3JlcG9ydHMvR0FPLTI1LTEwNzc5NS9pbmRleC5odG1sP19nbD0xKjFjeHlmM24qX2d=
hKk1qVXpNVE0yT1RZMUxqRTNOVFE1TVRVd016SS4qX2dhX1YzOTNTTlMzU1IqY3pFM05UUTVNVF=
V3TXpFa2J6RWtaekVrZERFM05UUTVNVFV5TkRja2FqWXdKR3d3SkdndyJ9/6PnXLEZ4pjiV_1Yw=
y24iqQ]=C2=A0to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on t=
he need for agencies to modernize =E2=80=9Ccritical decades-old legacy syst=
ems,=E2=80=9D GAO updated the committee on progress in modernizing the 10 m=
ost critical systems it had identified in 2019.

This Week in Waste - August 8, 2025 [[link removed]
e-august-8-2025/]

This week CAGW=E2=80=99s policy experts cover Sen. Markwayne Mullins=E2=80=
=99 recommendations for reforming the 340B Drug Discount =C2=A0Program, why=
states shouldn=E2=80=99t impose bulk billing bans if they want citizens to=
have affordable broadband access, new bills introduced in Congress to codi=
fy and expand DOGE's mission, and more.

DOGE on the Hill: Sniffing Out Waste in Congress [[link removed]
-on-the-hill-sniffing-out-waste-in-congress/]

On President Trump=E2=80=99s first day in office, he issued an executive or=
der=C2=A0establishing [[link removed]
mUiOiJtZy1lbmM6aDBlTFJDSVpzTWFPNllPUVlIa2dTN1laUHZ0cUNPWkkiLCJyaSI6IjAiLCJy=
cSI6IjAyLXQyNTI0MS0zZGQyNGY4Y2NjMTk0NjJhOTQ5YjEyYjhhYWFlNmI4MyIsIm0iOmZhbHN=
lLCJ1aSI6IjE1IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cud2hpdGVob3VzZS5nb3YvcHJlc2=
lkZW50aWFsLWFjdGlvbnMvMjAyNS8wMS9lc3RhYmxpc2hpbmctYW5kLWltcGxlbWVudGluZy10a=
GUtcHJlc2lkZW50cy1kZXBhcnRtZW50LW9mLWdvdmVybm1lbnQtZWZmaWNpZW5jeS8ifQ/S2C96=
rmmb35YTI0DVXFgsw]=C2=A0of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). =
As of July 26, 2025, DOGE=C2=A0estimated [[link removed]
JhaSI6OTkyNjA2OTcsImUiOiJtZy1lbmM6aDBlTFJDSVpzTWFPNllPUVlIa2dTN1laUHZ0cUNPW=
kkiLCJyaSI6IjAiLCJycSI6IjAyLXQyNTI0MS0zZGQyNGY4Y2NjMTk0NjJhOTQ5YjEyYjhhYWFl=
NmI4MyIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjE2IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9kb2dlLmdvdi9=
zYXZpbmdzIn0/VFMpUbebu3NiFph8DuJADg]=C2=A0that its actions and recommendati=
ons, if fully implemented, would save $1,236 per taxpayer. Now, members of =
Congress have introduced legislation to expand and formalize DOGE=E2=80=99s=
functions and mission.

States Should Refrain from Bulk Billing Bans [[link removed]
hould-refrain-from-bulk-billing-bans/]

Providing broadband service at the lowest price to the largest possible num=
ber of Americans should be a bipartisan effort, and laws or regulations tha=
t impede that objective should be avoided. Yet the California legislature i=
s on the precipice of passing AB 1414 [[link removed]
SI6OTkyNjA2OTcsImUiOiJtZy1lbmM6aDBlTFJDSVpzTWFPNllPUVlIa2dTN1laUHZ0cUNPWkki=
LCJyaSI6IjAiLCJycSI6IjAyLXQyNTI0MS0zZGQyNGY4Y2NjMTk0NjJhOTQ5YjEyYjhhYWFlNmI=
4MyIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjE4IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly9sZWdpc2Nhbi5jb2=
0vQ0EvYmlsbC9BQjE0MTQvMjAyNSJ9/S1UaNiuySlxqJ1m5es0hSQ], which would hinder =
landlords in their efforts to negotiate lower broadband rates for their ten=
ants.

Markwayne Mullin Wants to Make 340B Work for Oklahomans [[link removed]
rg/markwayne-mullin-wants-to-make-340b-work-for-oklahomans/]

The federal=C2=A0340B Drug Pricing Program=C2=A0was=C2=A0intended [[link removed]
trk.email.cagw.org/c/7/eyJhaSI6OTkyNjA2OTcsImUiOiJtZy1lbmM6aDBlTFJDSVpzTWFP=
NllPUVlIa2dTN1laUHZ0cUNPWkkiLCJyaSI6IjAiLCJycSI6IjAyLXQyNTI0MS0zZGQyNGY4Y2N=
jMTk0NjJhOTQ5YjEyYjhhYWFlNmI4MyIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjIxIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1Ij=
oiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2NhZ3cub3JnLzM0MEIifQ/IOORp9xPgcMJzDHk3fPBzA]=C2=A0to pr=
ovide discounts on drugs to patients but the lack of a clear intent and pat=
ient definition, along with inadequate oversight, has led to the program be=
ing exploited by hospitals and contract pharmacies to generate millions of =
dollars in profit.

The failure to provide the benefits Congress intended when the program was =
created in 1992 has led Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to take a leading r=
ole in the efforts to reform 340B.

This Week in Waste - August 1, 2025 [[link removed]
e-august-1-2025/]

August kicks off with Ohio joining the flat tax revolution, the IRS elimina=
ting Direct File, air traffic control modernization moving forward with the=
passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, and more.

----------------------------------------

Thank you for reading our Government WasteWatch eNews report,=C2=A0John. Yo=
ur support is essential to our efforts to make government more efficient an=
d effective.

From everyone at CAGW, we hope you and your family have a safe and relaxing=
holiday weekend.

Thomas Schatz
President, Citizens Against Government Waste

[Support Citizens Against Government Waste]([link removed]
ment-waste.revv.co/donate?utm_source=3DCAGW15005)

# 317 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20002

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1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJyaSI6I=
jE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzEzM2Iy=
MWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlfQ/RaFSdxfOuUse_xGkP2DlPw]
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h=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presen=
tation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break:break-wor=
d"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div =
class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helve=
tica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p s=
tyle=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px"><span style=3D"=
word-break: break-word; color: #000000; font-size: 16px;">John,</span></p><=
p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p=
style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px"><span style=
=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">As summer vacations were wind=
ing down, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) took no time off from be=
ing laser=E2=80=91focused on eliminating government waste, fraud, abuse, an=
d mismanagement throughout August.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size=
:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:=
16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px"><span style=3D"word-break: break-word; fon=
t-size: 16px;">From restoring common sense governing to reforming critical =
systems, we tracked waste from the Universal Service Fund to overdue upgrad=
es in federal IT systems and spotlighted costly large=E2=80=91scale deals l=
ike the $900 million subsidy for the Utah Jazz's new basketball arena.&nbsp=
;</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px"=
>&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">=
<span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">In healthcare, we =
kept an eye on the Senate HELP Committee hearing that underscored serious a=
buses of the 340B Drug Discount Program, spotlighting how the failure to de=
fine a patient along with lax eligibility and oversight allow hospitals and=
contract pharmacies to profit at the expense of patients and the public pu=
rse.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8=
px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2p=
x">
<span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">True to our missio=
n, CAGW continued calling for accountability alongside actionable reform. W=
hether we were confronting systemic inefficiencies, amplifying legislative =
urgency, or sounding the alarm on 340B&rsquo;s growing misuse, August was a=
bout advancing solutions that protect both taxpayers and promote more effic=
iency in programs that are truly needed.</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0;fon=
t-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font=
-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px"><span style=3D"word-break: break-wor=
d; font-size: 16px;"><strong>Here is your August edition of CAGW's Governme=
nt Waste Watch eNews:</strong></span></p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></ta=
ble><table class=3D"divider_block block-2" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cell=
padding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-table-l=
space:0;mso-table-rspace:0"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div class=3D"alig=
nment" align=3D"center"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cellspacing=
=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso=
-table-rspace:0"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"divider_inner" style=3D"font-size:=
1px;line-height:1px;border-top:1px solid #bbb"><span style=3D"word-break: b=
reak-word;">=E2=80=8A</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr></tbo=
dy></table><table class=3D"text_block block-3" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" =
cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-tab=
le-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break:break-word"><tbody><tr><td class=
=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"fon=
t-size:12px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-lin=
e-height-alt:14.399999999999999px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p style=3D"m=
argin:0;font-size:12px;text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:14.39999999999=
9999px">
<a href=3D"[link removed]
mM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJyaSI6IjE0=
MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzEzM2IyMWJ=
hOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjEiLCJ1biI6IiIsInUiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLm=
NvbS9zaG9ydHMvWl85WEotSmxOb3MifQ/_pTcj1q5UxyrfZMgFhbX4A" target=3D"_blank" =
style=3D"text-decoration: underline; color: #0068A5;" rel=3D"noopener"><str=
ong><span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 24px;">Porker of the =
Month</span></strong></a></p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table c=
lass=3D"image_block block-4" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" =
cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-tab=
le-rspace:0"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad" style=3D"width:100%"><div class=
=3D"alignment" align=3D"center"><div style=3D"max-width:560px"><img src=3D"=
[link removed]
20at%2011.51.05%E2%80%AFAM.png" style=3D"display:block;height:auto;border:0=
;width:100%" width=3D"560" alt=3D"" title=3D"" height=3D"auto"></div></div>=
</td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block block-5" width=3D"100%=
" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" s=
tyle=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break:break-word"><tbody=
><tr><td class=3D"pad">
<div style=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:12=
px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-=
alt:14.399999999999999px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0;f=
ont-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">Citizens Against G=
overnment Waste named&nbsp;<strong>Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) the August =
2025 Porker of the Month</strong>&nbsp;for once again leading Congress in p=
ork-barrel spending.&nbsp;</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;ms=
o-line-height-alt:14.399999999999999px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font=
-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">As chair of the Se=
nate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Collins has already requested more than=
&nbsp;<strong>$400 million in earmarks for FY 2026</strong><strong>,</stron=
g>&nbsp;the most of any member of Congress, after securing&nbsp;<strong>231=
earmarks worth $575.6 million in FY 2024</strong><strong>,</strong><strong=
> </strong>which was also the most of any member of Congress.&nbsp;</span><=
/p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:14.3999999999999=
99px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.=
2px"><span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">Previous earm=
arks like subsidies for lobster and blueberry research and funds for the Ba=
ngor Opera House and Portland Museum of Art are typical of her leading role=
in procuring prolific amounts of pork-barrel earmarks and showing blatant =
disregard for taxpayers nationwide.</span></p></div></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"button_block block-6" width=3D"10=
0%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation"=
style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pa=
d"><div class=3D"alignment" align=3D"center"><a href=3D"[link removed]
agw.org/c/7/eyJhaSI6OTkyNjA2OTcsImUiOiJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z=
6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJyaSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNT=
I0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzEzM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjIiL=
CJ1biI6IiIsInUiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy55b3V0dWJlLmNvbS9zaG9ydHMvWl85WEotSmxOb3Mi=
fQ/s-9M9EFJQZwH5hnxXj7C1g" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"color:#000000;text-de=
coration:none;"><!--[if mso]>
<v:roundrect xmlns:v=3D"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:w=3D"urn:schem=
as-microsoft-com:office:word" href=3D"[link removed]
-JlNos" style=3D"height:42px;width:360px;v-text-anchor:middle;" arcsize=3D=
"10%" fillcolor=3D"#e6b74a">
<v:stroke dashstyle=3D"Solid" weight=3D"0px" color=3D"#e6b74a"/>
<w:anchorlock/>
<v:textbox inset=3D"0px,0px,0px,0px">
<center dir=3D"false" style=3D"color:#000000;font-family:sans-serif;font-si=
ze:16px">
<![endif]-->
<span class=3D"button" style=3D"background-color: #e6b74a; border-bottom: 0=
px solid transparent; border-left: 0px solid transparent; border-radius: 4p=
x; border-right: 0px solid transparent; border-top: 0px solid transparent; =
color: #000000; display: inline-block; font-family: Arial, 'Helvetica Neue'=
, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400; mso-border-alt:=
none; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-top: 5px; padding-left: 20px; padding-r=
ight: 20px; text-align: center; width: auto; word-break: keep-all; letter-s=
pacing: normal;"><span style=3D"word-break: break-word; line-height: 32px;"=
><strong>Learn More About the Porker of the Month</strong></span></span>
<!--[if mso]></center></v:textbox></v:roundrect><![endif]--></a></div></td>=
</tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"divider_block block-7" width=3D"100%" =
border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" sty=
le=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><=
div class=3D"alignment" align=3D"center"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D=
"0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"mso-tab=
le-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"divider_inner" styl=
e=3D"font-size:1px;line-height:1px;border-top:1px solid #bbb"><span style=
=3D"word-break: break-word;">=E2=80=8A</span></td></tr></tbody></table></di=
v></td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"heading_block block-8" width=3D=
"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"20" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentati=
on" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0"><tbody><tr><td class=3D=
"pad"><h1 style=3D"margin:0;color:#000;direction:ltr;font-family:Arial,'Hel=
vetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:23px;font-weight:700;letter-spa=
cing:normal;line-height:1.2;text-align:center;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;=
mso-line-height-alt:28px"><strong>CAGW's&nbsp;<em>WasteWatcher</em>&nbsp;Ke=
eps an Eye on Every Corner of Government Spending</strong></h1></td></tr></=
tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block block-9" width=3D"100%" border=3D"=
0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-=
table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break:break-word"><tbody><tr><td cla=
ss=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"f=
ont-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-l=
ine-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0;font=
-size:16px;text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjMiLCJ1biI6IiIsInUiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYW=
d3Lm9yZy9jb21iYXRpbmctaW1wcm9wZXItcGF5bWVudHMtaW4tZmVkZXJhbC1zcGVuZGluZy8if=
Q/OQSB11n8JMKFCJDiJ6RdQA" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: under=
line; color: #0068A5;" rel=3D"noopener">Combatting Improper Payments in Fed=
eral Spending</a></strong></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-=
height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-h=
eight-alt:19.2px">
Improper payments have long been an avoidable drain on the federal budget a=
nd are often prominently featured as an example of wasteful spending. So it=
was not surprising that cutting back on the proliferation of such payments=
was the first recommendation in an updated Government Accountability Offic=
e (GAO) report on open proposals to improve government operations.</p></div=
></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block block-10" width=
=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"present=
ation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break:break-word=
"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div c=
lass=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvet=
ica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p st=
yle=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px=
">
<strong><a href=3D"Improper payments have long been an avoidable drain on t=
he federal budget and are often prominently featured as an example of waste=
ful spending. It is therefore not surprising that in the August 12, 2025, =
Government Accountability Office (GAO) updated report on open recommendatio=
ns to improve government operations, reducing fraud and improper payments w=
as first on the list." target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: underlin=
e; color: #0068A5;" rel=3D"noopener">Improved Permitting Process Will Strea=
mline Broadband Deployment</a></strong></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:1=
6px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16=
px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
The Federal Communications Commission is taking action to reduce paperwork =
and speed up the build out of broadband and mobile networks to unserved and=
underserved communities across the country. This will help to expedite not=
only BEAD projects but also funding from dozens of other federal broadband=
programs.</p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_bl=
ock block-11" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D=
"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;wo=
rd-break:break-word"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family=
:sans-serif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Hel=
vetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;lin=
e-height:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;text-align:center;mso-lin=
e-height-alt:19.2px">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjQiLCJ1biI6IiIsInUiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYW=
d3Lm9yZy90aGlzLXdlZWstaW4td2FzdGUtYXVndXN0LTIyLTIwMjUvIn0/tSAPyrt5jhqkpYLJ1=
zMn3g" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: underline; color: #0068A=
5;" rel=3D"noopener">This Week in Waste: August 22, 2025</a></strong></p><p=
style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p =
style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
This week&rsquo;s roundup features recommended reforms for the Universal Se=
rvice Fund, taxpayer savings thanks to BEAD program changes, an egregious e=
xample of wasteful stadium subsidies in Utah, and the elimination of a New =
Green Deal initiative that was wasting taxpayer dollars. &nbsp;</p></div></=
div></td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block block-12" width=3D=
"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentati=
on" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break:break-word"><=
tbody><tr>
<td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div class=3D"" sty=
le=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-seri=
f;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p style=3D"margin=
:0;font-size:16px;text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px"><strong><a =
href=3D"[link removed]
OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJyaSI6IjE0Mzk=
zNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzEzM2IyMWJhOC=
IsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjUiLCJ1biI6IiIsInUiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYWd3Lm9yZy9zd=
GF0ZS1iZWFkLWV4cGVjdGVkLXRvLXNob3ctdGF4cGF5ZXItc2F2aW5ncy8ifQ/6iLFYu__qfeGn=
4S1gYlp-g" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: underline; color: #0=
068A5;" rel=3D"noopener">State BEAD Expected to Show Taxpayer Savings</a></=
strong></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">=
&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">S=
tates across the country are working to finalize their final Broadband Equi=
ty, Access, and Deployment funding proposals to the National Telecommunicat=
ions and Information Administration by the September 4, 2025, deadline.&nbs=
p;</p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block bloc=
k-13" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=
=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break=
:break-word"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-se=
rif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica N=
eue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height=
:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;text-align:center;mso-line-height=
-alt:19.2px">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjYiLCJ1biI6IiIsInUiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYW=
d3Lm9yZy91bml2ZXJzYWwtc2VydmljZS1mdW5kLXJlbWFpbnMtcmlwZS1mb3ItcmVmb3JtLyJ9/=
mDXme5kO1zoffLTaj_rdVg" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: underli=
ne; color: #0068A5;" rel=3D"noopener">Universal Service Fund Remains Ripe f=
or Reform</a></strong></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-heig=
ht-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-heigh=
t-alt:19.2px">
The Universal Service Fund (USF) remains outdated, wasteful, and poorly man=
aged. Thankfully, Sens. Ben Ray Luj&aacute;n (D-N.M.) and Deb Fischer (R-Ne=
b.)&nbsp;<a href=3D"[link removed]
OiJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJ=
yaSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMz=
EzM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjciLCJ1biI6IiIsInUiOiJodHRwczovL3Ryay5lb=
WFpbC5jYWd3Lm9yZy9jLzcvZXlKaGFTSTZPVGt5TmpBMk9UY3NJbVVpT2lKdFp5MWxibU02YURC=
bFRGSkRTVnB6VFdGUE5sbFBVVmxJYTJkVE4xbGFVSFowY1VOUFdra2lMQ0p5YVNJNklqQWlMQ0p=
5Y1NJNklqQXlMWFF5TlRJME1TMHpaR1F5TkdZNFkyTmpNVGswTmpKaE9UUTVZakV5WWpoaFlXRm=
xObUk0TXlJc0ltMGlPbVpoYkhObExDSjFhU0k2SWpjaUxDSjFiaUk2SWlJc0luVWlPaUpvZEhSd=
2N6b3ZMM2QzZHk1c2RXcGhiaTV6Wlc1aGRHVXVaMjkyTDI1bGQzTnliMjl0TDNCeVpYTnpMWEps=
YkdWaGMyVnpMMngxYW1GdUxXWnBjMk5vWlhJdFlXNXViM1Z1WTJVdFltbHdZWEowYVhOaGJpMWl=
hV05oYldWeVlXd3RkVzVwZG1WeWMyRnNMWE5sY25acFkyVXRablZ1WkMxM2IzSnJhVzVuTFdkeW=
IzVndMeUo5L2ZaT0RsazhIcWdDOW44X3phME9mUUEifQ/WpA8c5GVSn8YvFbqkUSE-A" style=
=3D"text-decoration: underline; color: #0068A5;">announced</a>&nbsp;the rec=
onstitution of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Congressional Working Group=
to address reforming the USF.</p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><ta=
ble class=3D"text_block block-14" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=
=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0=
;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break:break-word"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><di=
v style=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;=
font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt=
:16.8px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;tex=
t-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjgiLCJ1biI6IiIsInUiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYW=
d3Lm9yZy90aGlzLXdlZWstaW4td2FzdGUtYXVndXN0LTE1LTIwMjUvIn0/KxpHnI8w1O4lyH7l6=
PeRAA" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: underline; color: #0068A=
5;" rel=3D"noopener">This Week in Waste - August 15, 2025</a></strong></p><=
p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p=
style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
In this roundup, the GAO finds 69 federal IT systems that need modernizing,=
including 11 that are in critical condition; the Senate HELP committee hig=
hlights the need to reform the 340B drug pricing program; Sen. Joni Ernst (=
R-Iowa) proposes terminating the USDA's wasteful Community Connect Grant pr=
ogram; President Trump signs an executive order to enable competition in th=
e commercial space industry that tracks a longstanding Grace Commission rec=
ommendation; and more.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p></div></div>
</td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block block-15" width=3D"100=
%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" =
style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break:break-word"><tbod=
y><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div class=3D=
"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,san=
s-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p style=3D"=
margin:0;font-size:16px;text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjkiLCJ1biI6IiIsInUiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5jYW=
d3Lm9yZy9zZW5hdGUtaGVscC1jb21taXR0ZWUtaGVhcmluZy1oaWdobGlnaHRzLW5lZWQtdG8tc=
mVmb3JtLTM0MGIvIn0/rCm8aqSKn9dB7jHBTWlulw" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-=
decoration: underline; color: #0068A5;" rel=3D"noopener">Senate HELP Commit=
tee Hearing Highlights Need to Reform 340B</a></strong></p><p style=3D"marg=
in:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margi=
n:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
The 340B Drug Discount Program is a wasteful and regressive reverse Robin H=
ood program that robs from indigent patients and smaller hospitals and give=
s to large hospitals and pharmacies. A Senate HELP Committee report and hea=
ring should serve as a jumping off point for Congress to make much-needed r=
eforms to the program that CAGW has been promoting for years.&nbsp;</p></di=
v></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block block-16" widt=
h=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presen=
tation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break:break-wor=
d"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div =
class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helve=
tica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p s=
tyle=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;text-align:center;mso-line-height-alt:19.2p=
x">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjEwIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2=
Fndy5vcmcvZ2FvLXJlY29uZmlybXMtZmVkZXJhbC1pdC1tdXN0LWJlLW1vZGVybml6ZWQvIn0/Q=
WSOohGNMl7btBPesapfow" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: underlin=
e; color: #0068A5;" rel=3D"noopener">GAO Reconfirms Federal IT Must Be Mode=
rnized</a></strong></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-=
alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-a=
lt:19.2px">
CAGW has long been&nbsp;<a href=3D"[link removed]
TkyNjA2OTcsImUiOiJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZU=
S3l1S2kxND0iLCJyaSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk=
0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzEzM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjExIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaH=
R0cHM6Ly90cmsuZW1haWwuY2Fndy5vcmcvYy83L2V5SmhhU0k2T1RreU5qQTJPVGNzSW1VaU9pS=
nRaeTFsYm1NNmFEQmxURkpEU1ZwelRXRlBObGxQVVZsSWEyZFROMWxhVUhaMGNVTlBXa2tpTENK=
eWFTSTZJakFpTENKeWNTSTZJakF5TFhReU5USTBNUzB6WkdReU5HWTRZMk5qTVRrME5qSmhPVFE=
1WWpFeVlqaGhZV0ZsTm1JNE15SXNJbTBpT21aaGJITmxMQ0oxYVNJNklqRXhJaXdpZFc0aU9pSW=
lMQ0oxSWpvaWFIUjBjSE02THk5M2QzY3VZMkZuZHk1dmNtY3ZiVzlrWlhKdWFYcHBibWN0Wm1Wa=
1pYSmhiQzFwYm1admNtMWhkR2x2YmkxMFpXTm9ibTlzYjJkNUx5SjkvRDIxTy1xQ1ROcFFzR2pF=
ajlrLXplQSJ9/GAM2mn1-1i893gU3tTOlSQ" style=3D"text-decoration: underline; c=
olor: #0068A5;">critical</a>&nbsp;of the federal government's &nbsp;failure=
to update its IT systems.&nbsp;In its July 17, 2025,&nbsp;<a href=3D"https=
://trk.email.cagw.org/c/7/eyJhaSI6OTkyNjA2OTcsImUiOiJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZyd=
ExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJyaSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJy=
cSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzEzM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHN=
lLCJ1aSI6IjEyIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly90cmsuZW1haWwuY2Fndy5vcmcvYy83L2=
V5SmhhU0k2T1RreU5qQTJPVGNzSW1VaU9pSnRaeTFsYm1NNmFEQmxURkpEU1ZwelRXRlBObGxQV=
VZsSWEyZFROMWxhVUhaMGNVTlBXa2tpTENKeWFTSTZJakFpTENKeWNTSTZJakF5TFhReU5USTBN=
UzB6WkdReU5HWTRZMk5qTVRrME5qSmhPVFE1WWpFeVlqaGhZV0ZsTm1JNE15SXNJbTBpT21aaGJ=
ITmxMQ0oxYVNJNklqRXlJaXdpZFc0aU9pSWlMQ0oxSWpvaWFIUjBjSE02THk5bWFXeGxjeTVuWV=
c4dVoyOTJMM0psY0c5eWRITXZSMEZQTFRJMUxURXdOemM1TlM5cGJtUmxlQzVvZEcxc1AxOW5iR=
DB4S2pGamVIbG1NMjRxWDJkaEtrMXFWWHBOVkUweVQxUlpNVXhxUlROT1ZGRTFUVlJWZDAxNlNT=
NHFYMmRoWDFZek9UTlRUbE16VTFJcVkzcEZNMDVVVVRWTlZGVjNUWHBGYTJKNlJXdGFla1ZyWkV=
SRk0wNVVVVFZOVkZWNVRrUmphMkZxV1hkS1IzZDNTa2RuZHlKOS82UG5YTEVaNHBqaVZfMVl3eT=
I0aXFRIn0/7yzLEwRoqcYEbDPaTod5Mg" style=3D"text-decoration: underline; colo=
r: #0068A5;">report</a>&nbsp;to the House Committee on Oversight and Govern=
ment Reform on the need for agencies to modernize &ldquo;critical decades-o=
ld legacy systems,&rdquo; GAO updated the committee on progress in moderniz=
ing the 10 most critical systems it had identified in 2019.&nbsp;&nbsp;
</p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block block-=
17" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=
=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break=
:break-word"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-se=
rif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica N=
eue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height=
:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;text-align:center;mso-line-height=
-alt:19.2px">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjEzIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2=
Fndy5vcmcvdGhpcy13ZWVrLWluLXdhc3RlLWF1Z3VzdC04LTIwMjUvIn0/pzT973Miv9gCyo8MX=
ZSkFg" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: underline; color: #0068A=
5;" rel=3D"noopener">This Week in Waste - August 8, 2025</a></strong></p><p=
style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p =
style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">This week CAGW&rsq=
uo;s policy experts cover Sen. Markwayne Mullins&rsquo; recommendations for=
reforming the 340B Drug Discount &nbsp;Program, why states shouldn&rsquo;t=
impose bulk billing bans if they want citizens to have affordable broadban=
d access, new bills introduced in Congress to codify and expand DOGE's miss=
ion, and more.</span>&nbsp;</p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table=
class=3D"text_block block-18" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"1=
0" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-=
table-rspace:0;word-break:break-word"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div sty=
le=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-=
family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8=
px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;text-ali=
gn:center;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjE0IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2=
Fndy5vcmcvZG9nZS1vbi10aGUtaGlsbC1zbmlmZmluZy1vdXQtd2FzdGUtaW4tY29uZ3Jlc3MvI=
n0/-ensd-CKMAMe6SEgIScEjw" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: unde=
rline; color: #0068A5;" rel=3D"noopener">DOGE on the Hill: Sniffing Out Was=
te in Congress</a></strong></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line=
-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-=
height-alt:19.2px">
On President Trump&rsquo;s first day in office, he issued an executive orde=
r&nbsp;<a href=3D"[link removed]
JtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJya=
SI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzEz=
M2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjE1IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly90cmsuZW1=
haWwuY2Fndy5vcmcvYy83L2V5SmhhU0k2T1RreU5qQTJPVGNzSW1VaU9pSnRaeTFsYm1NNmFEQm=
xURkpEU1ZwelRXRlBObGxQVVZsSWEyZFROMWxhVUhaMGNVTlBXa2tpTENKeWFTSTZJakFpTENKe=
WNTSTZJakF5TFhReU5USTBNUzB6WkdReU5HWTRZMk5qTVRrME5qSmhPVFE1WWpFeVlqaGhZV0Zs=
Tm1JNE15SXNJbTBpT21aaGJITmxMQ0oxYVNJNklqRTFJaXdpZFc0aU9pSWlMQ0oxSWpvaWFIUjB=
jSE02THk5M2QzY3VkMmhwZEdWb2IzVnpaUzVuYjNZdmNISmxjMmxrWlc1MGFXRnNMV0ZqZEdsdm=
JuTXZNakF5TlM4d01TOWxjM1JoWW14cGMyaHBibWN0WVc1a0xXbHRjR3hsYldWdWRHbHVaeTEwY=
UdVdGNISmxjMmxrWlc1MGN5MWtaWEJoY25SdFpXNTBMVzltTFdkdmRtVnlibTFsYm5RdFpXWm1h=
V05wWlc1amVTOGlmUS9TMkM5NnJtbWIzNVlUSTBEVlhGZ3N3In0/JJMrJBMn2qBqtNJg6CJx9w"=
style=3D"text-decoration: underline; color: #0068A5;">establishing</a>&nbs=
p;of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As of July 26, 2025, D=
OGE&nbsp;<a href=3D"[link removed]
OiJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJ=
yaSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMz=
EzM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjE2IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly90cmsuZ=
W1haWwuY2Fndy5vcmcvYy83L2V5SmhhU0k2T1RreU5qQTJPVGNzSW1VaU9pSnRaeTFsYm1NNmFE=
QmxURkpEU1ZwelRXRlBObGxQVVZsSWEyZFROMWxhVUhaMGNVTlBXa2tpTENKeWFTSTZJakFpTEN=
KeWNTSTZJakF5TFhReU5USTBNUzB6WkdReU5HWTRZMk5qTVRrME5qSmhPVFE1WWpFeVlqaGhZV0=
ZsTm1JNE15SXNJbTBpT21aaGJITmxMQ0oxYVNJNklqRTJJaXdpZFc0aU9pSWlMQ0oxSWpvaWFIU=
jBjSE02THk5a2IyZGxMbWR2ZGk5ellYWnBibWR6SW4wL1ZGTXBVYmVidTNOaUZwaDhEdUpBRGci=
fQ/aLwSA5is55rdIwpUxjfOIA" style=3D"text-decoration: underline; color: #006=
8A5;">estimated</a>&nbsp;that its actions and recommendations, if fully imp=
lemented, would save $1,236 per taxpayer. Now, members of Congress have int=
roduced legislation to expand and formalize DOGE&rsquo;s functions and miss=
ion.&nbsp;&nbsp;
</p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block block-=
19" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=
=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break=
:break-word"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-se=
rif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica N=
eue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height=
:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;text-align:center;mso-line-height=
-alt:19.2px">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjE3IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2=
Fndy5vcmcvc3RhdGVzLXNob3VsZC1yZWZyYWluLWZyb20tYnVsay1iaWxsaW5nLWJhbnMvIn0/p=
nqQZN2N9dbOK29yaduJnA" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: underlin=
e; color: #0068A5;" rel=3D"noopener">States Should Refrain from Bulk Billin=
g Bans</a></strong></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-=
alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">Providing broadban=
d service at the lowest price to the largest possible number of Americans s=
hould be a bipartisan effort, and laws or regulations that impede that obje=
ctive should be avoided. Yet the California legislature is on the precipice=
of passing <a href=3D"[link removed]
mUiOiJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0i=
LCJyaSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGI=
xMzEzM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjE4IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly90cm=
suZW1haWwuY2Fndy5vcmcvYy83L2V5SmhhU0k2T1RreU5qQTJPVGNzSW1VaU9pSnRaeTFsYm1NN=
mFEQmxURkpEU1ZwelRXRlBObGxQVVZsSWEyZFROMWxhVUhaMGNVTlBXa2tpTENKeWFTSTZJakFp=
TENKeWNTSTZJakF5TFhReU5USTBNUzB6WkdReU5HWTRZMk5qTVRrME5qSmhPVFE1WWpFeVlqaGh=
ZV0ZsTm1JNE15SXNJbTBpT21aaGJITmxMQ0oxYVNJNklqRTRJaXdpZFc0aU9pSWlMQ0oxSWpvaW=
FIUjBjSE02THk5c1pXZHBjMk5oYmk1amIyMHZRMEV2WW1sc2JDOUJRakUwTVRRdk1qQXlOU0o5L=
1MxVWFOaXV5U2x4cUoxbTVlczBoU1EifQ/tnaZqibZ71d6fecs0AD4hw" style=3D"text-dec=
oration: underline; color: #0068A5;">AB 1414</a>, which would hinder landlo=
rds in their efforts to negotiate lower broadband rates for their tenants.<=
/span>
</p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block block-=
20" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=
=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace:0;word-break=
:break-word"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-se=
rif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica N=
eue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height=
:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;text-align:center;mso-line-height=
-alt:19.2px">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjE5IiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2=
Fndy5vcmcvbWFya3dheW5lLW11bGxpbi13YW50cy10by1tYWtlLTM0MGItd29yay1mb3Itb2tsY=
WhvbWFucy8ifQ/eRLzChg_T8fZQBsnlZTZdw" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decor=
ation: underline; color: #0068A5;" rel=3D"noopener">Markwayne Mullin Wants =
to Make 340B Work for Oklahomans</a></strong></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-=
size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-s=
ize:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">The federal&nbsp;3=
40B Drug Pricing Program&nbsp;was&nbsp;<a href=3D"[link removed]
g/c/7/eyJhaSI6OTkyNjA2OTcsImUiOiJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2Y=
W05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJyaSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1h=
NWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzEzM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjIwIiwidW4=
iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly90cmsuZW1haWwuY2Fndy5vcmcvYy83L2V5SmhhU0k2T1RreU5qQT=
JPVGNzSW1VaU9pSnRaeTFsYm1NNmFEQmxURkpEU1ZwelRXRlBObGxQVVZsSWEyZFROMWxhVUhaM=
GNVTlBXa2tpTENKeWFTSTZJakFpTENKeWNTSTZJakF5TFhReU5USTBNUzB6WkdReU5HWTRZMk5q=
TVRrME5qSmhPVFE1WWpFeVlqaGhZV0ZsTm1JNE15SXNJbTBpT21aaGJITmxMQ0oxYVNJNklqSXh=
JaXdpZFc0aU9pSWlMQ0oxSWpvaWFIUjBjSE02THk5M2QzY3VZMk5oWjNjdWIzSm5Mek0wTUVJaW=
ZRL0lPT1JwOXhQZ2NNSnpESGszZlBCekEifQ/8VlLpqH0Kn9tzvsFb5li2Q" style=3D"text-=
decoration: underline; color: #0068A5;">intended</a>&nbsp;to provide discou=
nts on drugs to patients but the lack of a clear intent and patient definit=
ion, along with inadequate oversight, has led to the program being exploite=
d by hospitals and contract pharmacies to generate millions of dollars in p=
rofit.&nbsp;</span>
</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;<=
/p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px"><span st=
yle=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">The failure to provide the=
benefits Congress intended when the program was created in 1992 has led Se=
n. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to take a leading role in the efforts to refo=
rm 340B.</span></p></div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><table class=3D"te=
xt_block block-21" width=3D"100%" border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspaci=
ng=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso-table-lspace:0;mso-table-rspace=
:0;word-break:break-word"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-f=
amily:sans-serif"><div class=3D"" style=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial=
,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#00=
0;line-height:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;text-align:center;ms=
o-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<strong><a href=3D"[link removed]
iJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJy=
aSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU3N2M5MmU0MTk0MjE1YTVjZGIxMzE=
zM2IyMWJhOCIsIm0iOmZhbHNlLCJ1aSI6IjIxIiwidW4iOiIiLCJ1IjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuY2=
Fndy5vcmcvdGhpcy13ZWVrLWluLXdhc3RlLWF1Z3VzdC0xLTIwMjUvIn0/Rj8IDiCxKgqkGsyrX=
2wTLw" target=3D"_blank" style=3D"text-decoration: underline; color: #0068A=
5;" rel=3D"noopener">This Week in Waste - August 1, 2025</a></strong></p><p=
style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p =
style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px;">August kicks off w=
ith Ohio joining the flat tax revolution, the IRS eliminating Direct File, =
air traffic control modernization moving forward with the passage of the On=
e Big Beautiful Bill, and more.&nbsp;</span></p></div></div></td></tr></tbo=
dy></table><table class=3D"divider_block block-22" width=3D"100%" border=3D=
"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"mso=
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=3D"alignment" align=3D"center"><table border=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"0" cells=
pacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" width=3D"100%" style=3D"mso-table-lspace=
:0;mso-table-rspace:0"><tbody><tr><td class=3D"divider_inner" style=3D"font=
-size:1px;line-height:1px;border-top:1px solid #bbb"><span style=3D"word-br=
eak: break-word;">=E2=80=8A</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div></td></tr=
></tbody></table><table class=3D"text_block block-23" width=3D"100%" border=
=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D"=
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class=3D"pad"><div style=3D"font-family:sans-serif"><div class=3D"" style=
=3D"font-size:14px;font-family:Arial,'Helvetica Neue',Helvetica,sans-serif;=
mso-line-height-alt:16.8px;color:#000;line-height:1.2"><p style=3D"margin:0=
;font-size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px; color: #000000;">Th=
ank you for reading our <strong>Government WasteWatch eNews</strong> report=
,&nbsp;John. Your support is essential to our efforts to make government mo=
re efficient and effective.&nbsp;</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:=
16px;mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:1=
6px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
From everyone at CAGW, we hope you and your family have a safe and relaxing=
holiday weekend.<strong> </strong></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;=
mso-line-height-alt:16.8px">&nbsp;</p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;m=
so-line-height-alt:19.2px"><span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size=
: 16px; color: #000000;">Thomas Schatz</span></p><p style=3D"margin:0;font-=
size:16px;mso-line-height-alt:19.2px">
<span style=3D"word-break: break-word; font-size: 16px; color: #000000;">Pr=
esident, Citizens Against Government Waste</span></p></div></div></td></tr>=
</tbody></table><table class=3D"button_block block-24" width=3D"100%" borde=
r=3D"0" cellpadding=3D"10" cellspacing=3D"0" role=3D"presentation" style=3D=
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lass=3D"alignment" align=3D"center"><a href=3D"[link removed]
/7/eyJhaSI6OTkyNjA2OTcsImUiOiJtZy1lbmM6OE0zZ2JZTDZydExUZFVpd09rN0Z6OEl2YW05=
Y3BCNTFDc3ZUS3l1S2kxND0iLCJyaSI6IjE0MzkzNjc0NzciLCJycSI6IjAyLWIyNTI0MS1hNWU=
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------=_Part_137271093_850696909.1756495311022--

------=_Part_137271092_1678102203.1756495311022--

[Image]([link removed])

John,

As summer vacations were winding down, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) took no time off from being laser‑focused on eliminating government waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement throughout August.

From restoring common sense governing to reforming critical systems, we tracked waste from the Universal Service Fund to overdue upgrades in federal IT systems and spotlighted costly large‑scale deals like the $900 million subsidy for the Utah Jazz's new basketball arena.

In healthcare, we kept an eye on the Senate HELP Committee hearing that underscored serious abuses of the 340B Drug Discount Program, spotlighting how the failure to define a patient along with lax eligibility and oversight allow hospitals and contract pharmacies to profit at the expense of patients and the public purse.

True to our mission, CAGW continued calling for accountability alongside actionable reform. Whether we were confronting systemic inefficiencies, amplifying legislative urgency, or sounding the alarm on 340B’s growing misuse, August was about advancing solutions that protect both taxpayers and promote more efficiency in programs that are truly needed.

Here is your August edition of CAGW's Government Waste Watch eNews:

----------------------------------------

Porker of the Month [[link removed]]

[Image]

Citizens Against Government Waste named Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) the August 2025 Porker of the Month for once again leading Congress in pork-barrel spending.

As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Collins has already requested more than $400 million in earmarks for FY 2026, the most of any member of Congress, after securing 231 earmarks worth $575.6 million in FY 2024, which was also the most of any member of Congress.

Previous earmarks like subsidies for lobster and blueberry research and funds for the Bangor Opera House and Portland Museum of Art are typical of her leading role in procuring prolific amounts of pork-barrel earmarks and showing blatant disregard for taxpayers nationwide.

[Learn More About the Porker of the Month]([link removed])

----------------------------------------

# CAGW's WasteWatcher Keeps an Eye on Every Corner of Government Spending
------------------------------------------------------

Combatting Improper Payments in Federal Spending [[link removed]]

Improper payments have long been an avoidable drain on the federal budget and are often prominently featured as an example of wasteful spending. So it was not surprising that cutting back on the proliferation of such payments was the first recommendation in an updated Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on open proposals to improve government operations.

Improved Permitting Process Will Streamline Broadband Deployment [Improper payments have long been an avoidable drain on the federal budget and are often prominently featured as an example of wasteful spending. It is therefore not surprising that in the August 12, 2025, Government Accountability Office (GAO) updated report on open recommendations to improve government operations, reducing fraud and improper payments was first on the list.]

The Federal Communications Commission is taking action to reduce paperwork and speed up the build out of broadband and mobile networks to unserved and underserved communities across the country. This will help to expedite not only BEAD projects but also funding from dozens of other federal broadband programs.

This Week in Waste: August 22, 2025 [[link removed]]

This week’s roundup features recommended reforms for the Universal Service Fund, taxpayer savings thanks to BEAD program changes, an egregious example of wasteful stadium subsidies in Utah, and the elimination of a New Green Deal initiative that was wasting taxpayer dollars.

State BEAD Expected to Show Taxpayer Savings [[link removed]]

States across the country are working to finalize their final Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment funding proposals to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration by the September 4, 2025, deadline.

Universal Service Fund Remains Ripe for Reform [[link removed]]

The Universal Service Fund (USF) remains outdated, wasteful, and poorly managed. Thankfully, Sens. Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) announced [[link removed]] the reconstitution of the Universal Service Fund (USF) Congressional Working Group to address reforming the USF.

This Week in Waste - August 15, 2025 [[link removed]]

In this roundup, the GAO finds 69 federal IT systems that need modernizing, including 11 that are in critical condition; the Senate HELP committee highlights the need to reform the 340B drug pricing program; Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) proposes terminating the USDA's wasteful Community Connect Grant program; President Trump signs an executive order to enable competition in the commercial space industry that tracks a longstanding Grace Commission recommendation; and more.

Senate HELP Committee Hearing Highlights Need to Reform 340B [[link removed]]

The 340B Drug Discount Program is a wasteful and regressive reverse Robin Hood program that robs from indigent patients and smaller hospitals and gives to large hospitals and pharmacies. A Senate HELP Committee report and hearing should serve as a jumping off point for Congress to make much-needed reforms to the program that CAGW has been promoting for years.

GAO Reconfirms Federal IT Must Be Modernized [[link removed]]

CAGW has long been critical [[link removed]] of the federal government's  failure to update its IT systems. In its July 17, 2025, report [[link removed]] to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform on the need for agencies to modernize “critical decades-old legacy systems,” GAO updated the committee on progress in modernizing the 10 most critical systems it had identified in 2019.

This Week in Waste - August 8, 2025 [[link removed]]

This week CAGW’s policy experts cover Sen. Markwayne Mullins’ recommendations for reforming the 340B Drug Discount  Program, why states shouldn’t impose bulk billing bans if they want citizens to have affordable broadband access, new bills introduced in Congress to codify and expand DOGE's mission, and more.

DOGE on the Hill: Sniffing Out Waste in Congress [[link removed]]

On President Trump’s first day in office, he issued an executive order establishing [[link removed]] of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). As of July 26, 2025, DOGE estimated [[link removed]] that its actions and recommendations, if fully implemented, would save $1,236 per taxpayer. Now, members of Congress have introduced legislation to expand and formalize DOGE’s functions and mission.

States Should Refrain from Bulk Billing Bans [[link removed]]

Providing broadband service at the lowest price to the largest possible number of Americans should be a bipartisan effort, and laws or regulations that impede that objective should be avoided. Yet the California legislature is on the precipice of passing AB 1414 [[link removed]], which would hinder landlords in their efforts to negotiate lower broadband rates for their tenants.

Markwayne Mullin Wants to Make 340B Work for Oklahomans [[link removed]]

The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program was intended [[link removed]] to provide discounts on drugs to patients but the lack of a clear intent and patient definition, along with inadequate oversight, has led to the program being exploited by hospitals and contract pharmacies to generate millions of dollars in profit.

The failure to provide the benefits Congress intended when the program was created in 1992 has led Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) to take a leading role in the efforts to reform 340B.

This Week in Waste - August 1, 2025 [[link removed]]

August kicks off with Ohio joining the flat tax revolution, the IRS eliminating Direct File, air traffic control modernization moving forward with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, and more.

----------------------------------------

Thank you for reading our Government WasteWatch eNews report, John. Your support is essential to our efforts to make government more efficient and effective.

From everyone at CAGW, we hope you and your family have a safe and relaxing holiday weekend.

Thomas Schatz
President, Citizens Against Government Waste

[Support Citizens Against Government Waste]([link removed])

# 317 Massachusetts Avenue, NE, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20002

Unsubscribe [[link removed]]