The Latest Breaking News from Taxpayers for Common Sense

New critique of offshore wind clawbacks: Taxpayers lose out

The Trump administration’s buyouts of offshore wind leaseholders to stifle the nascent clean energy projects have drawn plenty of criticism from Democrats and environmental groups. Now comes a new argument from a nonpartisan watchdog group: Taxpayers are taking it on the chin from the controversial lease deals — which cost…

Roll Call · Sep 30

Trump administration’s $46 billion 'smart wall' races ahead on the US-Mexico border

The United States is rapidly building what it calls a “smart wall” on the Mexico border, combining tall steel fencing with advanced technology like sensors and cameras

The Independent UK · Jul 2

Corn Belt Politicians Are Using High Gas Prices To Push Even More Carveouts for Ethanol

“The sale of E15 year-round would help the ethanol industry and no one else,” says one agricultural policy expert.

Reason · Apr 29

Hill-favored projects called defense budget’s ‘black hole’

WASHINGTON -- Congress directed the Pentagon to spend $12.2 billion in the current fiscal year on nearly 1,000 different “program increases” in the Defense spending bill’s research account alone, projects pushed by lawmakers that the Defense Department did not publicly request, according to a previously unpublicized database.

Tribune News Service · May 25, 2023

Hill-favored projects called defense budget's 'black hole' - Roll Call

Member-driven increases to research projects within the Pentagon's budget have surged, with little scrutiny.

Roll Call · May 23, 2023