Senator Rand Paul’s annual “Festivus” report is out, revealing a staggering $900 billion in government waste for 2023. The report is in its ninth edition and highlights some eyebrow-raising expenses.
To name a few, the National Institutes of Health spent $2.7 million studying Russian cats walking on a treadmill and used Barbies as proof of identity for COVID Paycheck Protection Program funds. The Department of Defense left military equipment worth $169 million outside to waste.
Meanwhile, the United States Agency for International Development spent $6 million promoting tourism in Egypt, while the Small Business Administration gave $200 million to struggling music artists such as Post Malone, Chris Brown and Lil Wayne.
The national debt, according to Paul’s report, has crossed $30 trillion and is now climbing toward $34 trillion. Paul blamed everyone, including members of both parties in Congress, for raising the debt ceiling, allowing the government to borrow unlimited funds until 2024.
As Congress spends on pet projects and industries, the American taxpayer bears the brunt of the crisis through record-high inflation and crippling interest rates. Despite this, big-spending politicians continue sending taxpayers’ money to foreign countries and funding endless wars while disregarding the porous southern border.
The government’s spending issues are numerous, according to Paul.