John,

Washington never tires of inventing new schemes to waste your hard-earned tax dollars. But every time they do, CAGW is there, exposing the waste, challenging the abuse, and fighting for accountability. 

In just the past month, we have sounded the alarm on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s (R) reckless spending spree, uncovered millions of dollars in abuse in the 340B drug pricing program and warned against European regulations that would drive up costs for American businesses. 

We pressed Congress to reauthorize FirstNet and safeguard first responders, exposed staggering VA hospital cost overruns, and applauded efforts to finally strip away broadband red tape. 

These are the battles that taxpayers want us to fight and win. Here’s your September edition of CAGW’s Government Waste Watch eNews.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) 

Senate HELP Committee Questions Cleveland Clinic’s 340B Funding Transparency 

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s April 2025 report cited the Cleveland Clinic’s lack of transparency for receiving $933.7 million in 340B drug discounts designed to support charity care without passing those savings on to low-income patients. Instead, the clinic funneled the funds into its general budget and executive pay. Ohio Sen. Jon Husted (R) lamented the failures in the program and called for reforms.

Deregulation Keeps U.S. Air Travel Flying High 

The upcoming Senate hearing on air travel is a chance to celebrate deregulation’s victories for consumers, not cave to the Biden administration’s push for higher costs and heavier government control.  

This Week In Waste – September 26, 2025 

This week spotlights CMMI and 340B healthcare waste, the need for federal data privacy, Democrats’ $1.5 trillion spending demand, and EU rules harming U.S. businesses. 

WSJ Reinforces Waste and Abuse in Healthcare 

The 340B drug pricing program has ballooned to $66.3 billion and faces widespread abuse, prompting calls from Congress and the Wall Street Journal for reform to protect patients and taxpayers. 

Europe’s Privacy Rules Should Not Shape America’s 

The U.S. needs a national data privacy law that protects consumers while promoting innovation and reducing burdens on businesses and should avoid following the restrictive rules adopted in Europe and California’s Consumer Privacy Act. 

This Week In Waste – September 19, 2025 

CMMI’s costly failures, massive VA hospital overruns, scrutiny of nonprofit hospital spending, a $1.5 trillion increase in the DeLauro-Murray continuing resolution, and federal efforts to expand broadband to underserved communities.  

FCC and Congress Work to Reduce Barriers to Broadband Deployment 

The FCC and the House Energy and Commerce Committee are working to remove regulatory hurdles and bring faster, reliable broadband internet to unserved and underserved communities across the country.  

This Week In Waste – September 12, 2025 

The CBO warns of 340B’s rising costs, the need to reauthorize FirstNet for first responders, new federal programs to cut contract waste, spectrum policy updates, congressional hearings on appliance regulations, and Austin’s $1.1 million logo fiasco.   

First Responder Communications Remain Vital on the 24th Anniversary of 9/11 

Congress is urged to act swiftly to reauthorize FirstNet, the nationwide interoperable communications network that has proven vital for first responders’ safety and effectiveness, before its 2027 expiration  

CBO Confirms That 340B Drives Up Costs for Taxpayers 

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) confirmed CCAGW’s warnings that the 340B drug discount program fuels higher costs and abuse, underscoring the urgent need for reforms.    

This Week In Waste – September 5, 2025 

OMB’s projection of $5 trillion in savings from deregulation and a court ruling upholding EPA’s authority to halt $16 billion in “green bank” grants. Meanwhile, the Pentagon keeps rewarding F-35 contractors despite delays, and FCC Chairman Carr moves to end off-campus Wi-Fi subsidies.

President Trump Cuts Spending with a Pocket Rescission

Trump issues his first “pocket rescission,” a process that CAGW supports, canceling $4.9 billion in wasteful foreign aid and U.N. funding.  

Thanks for taking a few minutes to read this month’s Government Waste Watch eNews, John. 

Together, we’re proving that frustration can be turned into action, and action into results. Washington is paying attention, and it’s because you’ve stood with us. 

We’re going to keep fighting, shining a light, and winning – on behalf of you, your family, and every hardworking American who deserves better. 

Thomas Schatz

President

Citizens Against Government Waste