Tom Coburn: “This letter was sent to Secretary Chertoff. The Federal Financial Management Subcommittee of the Committee on Homeland…”

“This letter was sent to Secretary Chertoff. The Federal Financial Management Subcommittee of the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs had four hearings on improper payments. We know what is required. We know they can do it. What the Congress has to do is make them do it, if they want to spend the money. It is only right for our children and grandchildren to get fair value for the taxpaying public, as we send out this money. I am a skeptic when it comes to this body, when it gets away from the political porking that goes on. I am not sure this amendment will pass. But if it doesn't pass, I will offer an amendment to get rid of the Improper Payments Act because there is no reason to have a law that we are not going to enforce. If we are not going to enforce it, why is it on the books? It is similar to enforcing the borders. The law is there, but we don't do it. We have to be accountable to the American public to make sure that agencies follow the law. This is a simple amendment that requires Homeland Security to follow that. By the way, we have not had an answer to this letter. It was dated November 16. I spoke in error. United Nations Funding I want to correct something I said last week on the United Nations. My numbers were wrong. We, in fact, do pay for about 22 percent of the unified budget at the United Nations, and our total contribution is in excess of $5 billion. I had the ratios right, I had the numbers wrong.”