WCW warns against waste in COVID-19 stimulus bills
UPDATE (3/31/20): The COVID-19 stimulus bill signed into law by President Trump includes bipartisan spending oversight measures advocated by WCW and others, including an independent oversight panel led by Inspectors General and a public website reporting how stimulus funds are being spent. WCW is grateful to Sens. Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Gary Peters (D-MI)–the chairman and ranking member of the Senate’s government oversight committee, respectively–for their leadership to secure this critical oversight.
Original post (3/26/20)
Congress is poised to pass a $2 trillion stimulus package (the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act) to provide much-needed relief for Americans as they battle the COVID-19 pandemic. And White Coat Waste Project is urging lawmakers to ensure this emergency funding goes to programs that actually help families and businesses devastated by this historic public health crisis.
Justin Goodman and Jason Pye: Americans are rightfully worried about the health of their friends, families, and 401Ks. People shouldn’t also have to worry that federal emergency funds are being wasted to put fish on treadmills. https://t.co/fGMCsmbxby https://t.co/xbP5luHwxl
— American Greatness (@theamgreatness) March 25, 2020
In a new op-ed, WCW and FreedomWorks urge Congress and President Trump to create an independent oversight committee for stimulus spending and a system allowing taxpayers and lawmakers to track what projects the money is paying for and what impact they have on the economy.
Americans are worried about the health of their friends, families.
👉 People shouldn’t also have to worry that federal funds to save lives/livelihoods are being wasted to put fish on treadmills or renovate an opera house. #ampFW @Pye @WhiteCoatWaste https://t.co/MGbhMwsVwU
— FreedomWorks (@FreedomWorks) March 25, 2020
If history is any indication, taxpayers can’t let Uncle Sam off the hook just because he might be sending a check their way. A decade ago during the Great Recession, millions in economic stimulus funds were infamously wasted on taxpayer-funded animal experiments like hooking monkeys on cocaine and putting fish on treadmills.
U.S. government spent (or wasted?) $1.5 million to find out what happens when fish get on a treadmill (via @JeffFlake) pic.twitter.com/3KPSTJMtbV
— FOX & friends (@foxandfriends) January 10, 2017
We need enhanced transparency and accountability about federal spending so we don’t repeat the mistakes of the past. After all, government agencies set to receive billions in stimulus money are still funding experiments that put dead turtles on treadmills and create junkie monkeys.
Sen. Joni Ernst: “Your tax dollars actually paid for a study that put turtles on treadmills.” pic.twitter.com/qrWZWCQgrp
— The Hill (@thehill) March 12, 2020
Tell your lawmakers that you have a right to know how your money is being spent!
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We have a right to know how our taxpayer money is being spent.
I DEMAND ALL ANIMALS LIVE SAFE AND FREE FROM HUMAN SELFISHNESS AND INTERFERENCE IN THEIR NATURAL HABITATS. I DEMAND ALL THOSE DESPICABLE HUMANS, NO MATTER HOW IMPORTANT YOU THINK YOU ARE, I DEMAND THEY ALL BE THROWN IN JAIL FOR THE REST OF THEIR PATHETIC DESPICABLE LIVES FOR USING AND ABUSING AND KILLING ANIMALS. ANIMALS ARE NOT ON THIS EARTH TO BE EATEN OR EXPERIMENTED ON OR HUMAN SELFISHNESS OR ENTERTAINMENT. I DEMAND ANIMAL SUFFERING END RIGHT NOW YOU DESPICABLE HUMANS!
Why are we wasting money on these ridiculous experiments on animals. This needs to stop and we need to spend tax funded money on things that DO NOT use these poor animals for nonsense abusing all animals
Thank you for helping the animals.
Please Stop
I have a right to know where my money is spent.
Please use your money wisely so you don’t waste it
The American people have a right to know how our tax dollars are being spent with complete transparency!
Disgusting sickening pathetic abuse what the hell is the matter with you greedy people
U need to stop this now !!!!
Stop it now !!
Stimulus packages are to stimulate the economy, not for completely useless research. We work too long and hard to pay our taxes for it to be wasted on such ludicrous experiments.
we need to work together for the future and the environment
All this is total BS and needs to stop plus hold those accountable since it is BS science and I am a scientist
We have a right to know how this money is being spent!
Save our tax dollars.
I am against this practice.
This is disgraseful.
Stop torturing animals. No good data can come from this abhorrent abuse.
THIS CONGRESS IS DISGUSTING. WHEN IS CORRUPTION GOING TO END IN CONGRESS? WE NEED TERM LIMITS. THEY ARE LINING THEIR OWN POCKETS. THEY DON’T GIVE A DAM ABOUT “WE THE PEOPLE”. INSTEAD OF TRYING TO GET RID OF PRESIDENT TRUMP WE NEED TO GET RID OF THOSE WHO LIE//STEAL//& USE INSIDER INFORMATION FOR THEIR OWN POCKETBOOKS. IF MARTHER STEWART WAS SENT TO JAIL WHY AREN’T THESE PEOPLE GETTING AWAY WITH WHAT THEY DID. WHY THE AGAIN DOUBLE STANDARD. I AM VERY SORRY TO SAY THAT I WAS ONCE A DEMOCRUMB. PELOSI & OTHERS MUST GO. TERM LIMITS//SAME INSURANCE AS “WE THE PEOPLE” STOP WITH THE PORK AND USE TRANSPORTATION AS WE DO……..NO MORE PRIVATE PLANES. DO THEY REALLY THINK “WE THE PEOPLE” ARE STUPID?
Stop experimenting on animals!
VA, as a Veteran I beg you to stop the never ending experiments on animals. It not only tortures the animal it also tortures those who must do the torturing.
Why not stop spending money killing things and start spending money to keep things alive? Animals, rainforest, open space, healthy land that produces healthy food, clean air, clean water; all things that bring health. This is all so backwards and wrong.
Wasting Americans hard earned tax dollars to fund useless & ridiculous experiments on animals is irresponsible! Using animals in medical research & training is outdated, expensive, unreliable when applied to humans & inhumane! The majority of Americans are against it!
Will our comments make any difference ? How can we (the American people) do anything ? How did so many greedy, immoral, totally stupid people get their jobs and how are they allowed to spend our tax dollars on things that only amount to torturing defenseless, innocent animals. I really wish some one would step up and explain.
We need transparency more than ever! Most Americans would not stand for these brutal animal “tests” if they were aware!