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“WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Agriculture was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H1427 on March 15, 2005.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
WASTE, FRAUD, AND ABUSE
(Mr. PRICE of Georgia asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, America's checkbook is being used and abused every minute of every day, and this is more than annoying to taxpayers. It is an insult.
The problems with financial management in the bureaucracy here in Washington cost hardworking taxpayers billions of dollars. Too often, money that comes to Washington never gets back home because it is eaten away by waste, fraud, and abuse.
When the Federal Government cannot account for over $17 billion it spent in 2001, things need to change.
When the Department of Agriculture recently was unable to account for
$5 billion in receipts and expenditures, things need to change.
When the U.S. General Accounting Office will not certify the Federal Government's own accounting books because the bookkeeping is so bad, things definitely need to change.
Mr. Speaker, there are countless stories about how the government has not correctly paid on everything from Medicare to food stamps, and that is just the tip of the iceberg.
As we discuss ways to reduce spending and to increase savings, let us get serious about waste, fraud, and abuse.
It is important to remember that our government of the people, for the people is paid for by the people. It is time to stop wasting the people's money.
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