It may be December, but to Senator Rand Paul, it’s Festivus time. Senator Paul (R-KY), joined by his team of staffers and policy coordinators, recently released the 2020 Festivus Report. This annual document serves to expose government waste, fraud, and abuse, with the mission of restoring “fiscal responsibility to our government.”
The 2020 Festivus Report discovered over $900 billion of government-funded waste, fraud, and abuse. According to Senator Paul, American taxpayers continue to pay billions of dollars in improper payments to the federal government. Notable examples include $2.4 billion in improper payments in student loan forgiveness programs; nearly $100 million going to deceased individuals; and almost $3 million on artwork for federal buildings.
Reflecting on the report, Senator Paul noted that “Festivus is an opportunity to recognize government officials who abide by their solemn oath to uphold the Constitution and spending laws. It is also an opportunity to highlight egregious examples of taxpayer funds being squandered by Congress and government bureaucracies.”
The Festivus Report was first introduced in 2019. Since then, Senator Paul has found a total of $2 trillion in government waste and fraud and abuse. Senator Paul concluded, “The 2021 Festivus Report will be an opportunity to identify areas of improvement in our federal budget and to expose government mismanagement of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. We owe it to the American people to use our government funding wisely and accurately. This Festivus Report is an important step in that process.”
Overall, Senator Paul’s Festivus Report has brought government waste and fraud to light, and has provided the public with a much-needed reminder to be aware of how their taxpayer money is being spent. The Festivus Report also serves as an annual reminder to Americans that they are ultimately responsible for how their dollars are spent in Washington D.C. It’s time for the U.S. government to take a hard look at how every cent of taxpayer money is used, and to make the necessary adjustments to ensure it’s used responsibly in the future.