Tom Coburn: “the claim is that this is micromanagement of USAID. USAID's role is to deliver goods, health care, and support to the…”

“the claim is that this is micromanagement of USAID. USAID's role is to deliver goods, health care, and support to the needy people around the world. What this amendment does is negate what they have already said they are going to ignore anyway. I will read: USAID has the authority to use program and regular operating expense funds for entertainment under the necessary expense doctrine. GAO decisions to the contrary are not binding on this Agency. This is a small amount of money, but it should send a signal to USAID, their job is to deliver what we want as American taxpayers in terms of health care and food and medicine to people in need. The best example of that is not to spend the money on furnishings, not on live recording artists, not on gifts for other bureaucrats but on food and medicine for those people who need it. That is what this amendment is about. It is not about micromanaging. It is about sending a signal: Do what you are expected to do. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.”