OKC Standard

Senator James Lankford of Oklahoma, who serves as the Republican Conference Vice Chair, has unveiled the latest edition of his government waste report, titled "Federal Fumbles: A Playbook for DOGE." In a speech on the Senate floor, he addressed concerns about government spending and inefficiencies.

In his remarks, Lankford highlighted specific examples of what he considers wasteful spending. He mentioned a $32,000 grant from USAID intended to create a comic book about transgender issues in Peru. According to Lankford, Oklahomans question such expenditures and suggest that if the people in Peru desire such a project, they should fund it themselves rather than relying on American taxpayers.

Lankford emphasized that identifying and addressing government inefficiency should not be a partisan issue. He invited others to join in efforts to expose and reduce wasteful spending. "We’re glad to have folks engaging on this," he stated. "I’m not critical. I’m excited that you’re here because we need more help."

The senator urged individuals to review the "Federal Fumbles" report and encouraged members of Congress to instruct their staff to identify areas of waste. His goal is for these efforts to lead to discussions on how to stop unnecessary expenditures.

"People in Oklahoma, my state, lose their hard-earned tax money on things that aren’t education, aren’t roads, aren’t national defense," Lankford said. "They’re waste. And that’s what people want to see stop."