Sen. James Lankford Unveils Annual Report on Federal Inefficiencies
First on Fox: Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., has debuted his annual compilation highlighting what he calls “federal fumbles,” offering insights intended to bolster the work of the newly established Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The Purpose of the Report
Lankford, a founding member of the Senate DOGE Caucus, filled an extensive 26 pages with examples of government shortcomings and inefficiencies, underscoring how taxpayer dollars are being wasted. In a letter addressed to his readers, Lankford articulated his aspirations: “My goal is to create a roadmap for DOGE, identifying key areas within the federal government and solutions to fix them.”
Key Examples of Federal Mismanagement
Among the numerous examples Lankford cited is a troubling instance involving the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), which was recently dismantled by DOGE. He referred to a May 2024 report from the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), revealing a shocking detail: since 2021, million in taxpayer funds has inadvertently supported the terrorist group, the Taliban. This revelation came shortly after USAID had claimed in their official report that no funds had been intercepted by the Taliban during this period.
A Call for Increased Oversight
In response to these financial missteps, Lankford recommended implementing a “tougher, more comprehensive screening process” for vetting organizations and partners that receive aid, ensuring taxpayer money is not misallocated in the future. The report underscores a growing concern about the effectiveness of U.S. foreign aid operations in maintaining accountability and safeguarding taxpayer resources.
Broadcasting Inefficiencies
Furthermore, Lankford highlighted inefficiencies within U.S. global broadcasting entities, specifically the U.S. Agency of Global Media (USAGM) and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). He contended that these organizations not only consume federal funding but also undermine the U.S. government’s image, both domestically and internationally. In his report, he pointed out that 6 million was spent on broadcasts showcasing scandals and weaknesses in the American system via Voice of America (VOA) and the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (OCB), which are tasked with providing information to areas with restricted press freedoms.
Criticism of Public Broadcasting
Moreover, Lankford pointed out that CPB, a private organization funded by Congress, allocates significant resources to public entities like NPR and PBS, both of which have been criticized for perceived political biases, particularly against conservative perspectives. This sentiment was echoed recently when an editor publicly criticized NPR for its lack of coverage regarding specific issues, such as the Hunter Biden laptop scandal, leading to renewed Republican efforts to cut funding for CPB.
Addressing Critical Policy Fumbles
The “Playbook for DOGE” not only critiques spending but also addresses what Lankford termed “Biden’s Biggest Fumble,” focusing specifically on immigration policy. He stated that the manner in which the Biden administration has managed the southern border—releasing hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants into the country with little more than a request for them to self-report to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—highlights significant operational flaws.
Proposed Solutions for Immigration Reform
To remedy the situation, Lankford advocates for the reinstatement of the “Remain in Mexico” policy, previously enacted during the Trump administration. He emphasized the need for Congress to pass legislative measures that would prevent future administrations from allowing undocumented immigrants entry without thorough vetting and to address existing loopholes in the asylum process.
