The White House has once again proven its audacity by ordering federal agencies to install thousands of signs along our nation’s highways, praising President Joe Biden. This blatant misuse of taxpayer dollars has rightfully infuriated Republican Senator Joni Ernst, who accuses the administration of using public funds for Biden’s campaign.
Earlier in 2023, the Executive Office of the President’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) had the gall to push federal awarding agencies to mandate grant recipients, including local governments, to erect signs based on the “Official Investing in American Emblem Style Guide.” These signs are purportedly designed to inform taxpayers about federal spending, under the guise of promoting accountability and transparency.
However, these signs are nothing more than a shameless political ploy. They credit Biden for legislative measures passed by Congress, essentially turning them into campaign signs funded by taxpayers. Ernst wrote a scathing letter to OMB Director Shalanda D. Young, stating, “Political campaign signs are not infrastructure. They do nothing to improve our roads or bridges and it’s obvious their real intent is only to pave the way for Biden’s re-election.”
The signs that commend Biden for the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act have ignited a fiery debate. Critics argue they breach laws requiring agencies to disclose project costs funded by taxpayer money. In her letter, Ernst suggested that the administration should also highlight Biden’s spending blunders like the exorbitantly priced electric vehicle charging stations and the overpriced San Francisco rail extension project.
The White House’s order for federal agencies to install thousands of signs along the nation’s highways praising Joe Biden has one Republican senator pressing the administration on what she says is “public financing for the president’s own campaign.”
— Robert Motter (@motter56802) June 20, 2024
Ernst even went ahead and humorously proposed a sign next to the seven electric vehicle charging stations saying, “This billion-dollar boondoggle brought to you by President Biden!” She also recommended a sign for the San Francisco rail extension project, which has skyrocketed to an astronomical $8.3 billion, dubbing it “one of the most expensive transit projects in the world.”
But the controversy doesn’t end here. These signs could potentially violate the Highway Beautification Act, which restricts signage on federal highways. Ernst is demanding that the OMB disclose the cost of these signs and whether they misuse government resources for political gain.
Ernst further lambasted the administration for triggering inflation through its massive federal spending, effectively nullifying any benefits from the stimulus package. She pointed out that highway construction costs have skyrocketed nearly 70% since Biden took office, implying that actual transportation funding could be drastically cut over the next five years.
Ernst has successfully incorporated provisions into federal law requiring all projects funded by the White House and other agencies to disclose their costs. She implored the OMB to adhere to these transparency requirements and provide clear statements on the dollar amount of federal funds used for each project.
The heated debate surrounding these signs underscores a larger battle over public perception and the misuse of taxpayer dollars. Rest assured, this political drama is only beginning to unfold!
Source: Red Right Patriot
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