Political Quotes

“My amendment to H.R. 4413 simply requires the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study of the efficiencies in leasing and rental costs at the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. The study would determine if the CFTC is violating any laws, including the Antideficiency Act, by entering into these leases, particularly those with more than 5-year terms and, if so, how it can avoid violating Federal law in the future. In a recent report from the inspector general of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, we found that the CFTC is currently using just one-third of its Kansas City regional office. The CFTC is paying approximately $44,000 per month, meaning that, over the 10-year life of the lease, the CFTC will pay $5.3 million, with $3.6 million dedicated to vacant office space. However, in this letter from the inspector general, we found that this is not limited to just the Kansas City office. In fact, over the life of the CFTC's current leases, more than $200 million will be spent with approximately $64 million dedicated to vacant office spaces. This is simply outrageous, and it is the latest example of government waste of taxpayer money. In fact, the CFTC management, in its May 14 response to the inspector general, agreed that there is excess vacant space. However, the CFTC argued the lease of so many vacant offices was a justifiable expense because future funding increases are within the ``realm of possibility.'' Mr.…”