This Week in Waste – April 18, 2025
Welcome to This Week in Waste, a series by Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) that highlights how taxpayer dollars are being wasted in the federal, state, and local levels of government, and efforts to fight back against this spendthrift behavior.
Department of Transportation Cancels Contract for $60 million High-Speed Rail Project in Texas
The Department of Transportation announced on April 14, 2025 that the federal government is ending a $60 million grant to Amtrak that was being used to build a high-speed rail project to connect Dallas and Houston. Secretary Sean Duffy said, “If the private sector believes this project is feasible, they should carry the pre-construction work forward, rather than relying on Amtrak and the American taxpayer to bail them out. My department will continue to look for every opportunity to save federal dollars and prioritize efficiencies.” CAGW has long been critical of this project and other high-speed rail projects that exceed their budgets and rely on taxpayer dollars.
Council for Citizens Against Government Waste’s Concerns with 340B Spotlighted by the Tennessee Star
The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste’s letter opposing H.B. 1242 and S.B. 1414 was cited by the Tennessee Star on April 15, 2025. 340B manufacturer mandate bills like SB 1414 and HB 1242 would increase costs by $25.2 million for commercial employers and $3.7 million for state and local government plans. Read more about the 340B program here.
CAGW Names Sen. Elizabeth Warren April 2025 Porker of the Month
Sen. Warren’s push to expand the wasteful Direct File program shows her complete disregard for protecting taxpayer dollars. Read more here.
Implementation of Drug Pricing EO Should Protect Innovation and IP
President Trump’s April 15, 2025, executive order addresses the dual objective of lowering drug prices while promoting innovation and protecting intellectual property (IP). Read more here.
CAGW Files Comments with the FCC on Delete, Delete, Delete Proceeding
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is conducting a top-down review of regulations. On April 11, 2025, CAGW filed comments with the commission. Read more here.
California High-Speed Rail is Still a Multi-Billion Dollar Boondoggle
Sacramento’s quixotic project leads the way as the nation’s most expensive and wasteful passenger rail boondoggle. Read more here.
Executive Order Expedites Defense Procurement and Increases Reliance on Private Sector
President Trump’s April 9, 2025, Executive Order 12465 charges the Department of Defense with reforming and expediting the defense acquisition process and prioritizing private sector products. Read more here.
