For Immediate Release
Contact: Curtis Kalin 202-467-5318

August 28, 2017
 

(Washington, D.C.) – Today Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released its August 2017 WasteWatcher, a monthly dispatch to members of the news media, highlighting some of the most prominent fiscal issues affecting American taxpayers.  The stories from its August edition of WasteWatcher are listed in part as follows:

The Can-Kicking Congress: Business as Usual

By William M. Christian

The U.S. Congress is composed of 535 “can kickers,” given their predilection to avoid taking action until the last possible minute.  Full story here.

The Summer of Healthcare Discontent

By Elizabeth Wright

As the end of their summer recess approaches, the Republican-controlled Congress has still not done what it has promised to do since March 2010:  repeal the Affordable Care Act/Obamacare.  Full story here.

Getting Back to Basics at the EPA

By Cutis Kalin

Over the last decade, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been the poster child for government waste, employee misconduct, and job-killing policies.  This pitiful legacy offers new EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt a golden opportunity to turn around the troubled agency.  Full story here.

Building the Digital Bridge

By Deborah Collier

Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai is very focused on bridging the digital divide in rural communities across the country.  Full story here.

Confirmation Congestion: 124 Down, More Than 1,000 to Go

By Peter Klensch

President Donald Trump has the authority to fill more than 4,000 executive positions, of which 1,212 require Senate confirmation.  According to a joint study by The Washington Post and the Partnership for Public Service, as of August 22, 2017, the Senate has confirmed 124 Trump nominees, with 277 nominations pending.  Full story here.

Security Weaknesses in Pentagon Excess Property Program

By Mary Lee Deddens

The Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) lack of oversight and internal control of the 1033 program’s largess has clear ramifications.  Full story here.

CAGW is the nation’s largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.