During Tuesday’s Subcommittee on Delivering on Government Efficiency (DOGE) hearing, the Democrats’ witness struggled to provide clear answers about controversial government spending, including the CDC’s $230,000 expenditure on solar-powered picnic tables during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a pointed exchange, Representative Pat Fallon (R-TX) questioned Ron Kendall, Executive Chairman Emeritus, about several instances of government spending. When asked about the CDC’s solar picnic table purchase, Kendall responded that he had “no opinion.” The questioning continued as Fallon brought up additional examples of questionable spending, including $120,000 for luxury leather furniture at the State Department’s facility in Islamabad, Pakistan. Kendall avoided taking a position on this expenditure as well.
1. The scale of government waste is worse than anyone imagined.
$1.9 billion was sent to an NGO formed just a year ago with almost no prior activity.
The US government is losing $2 trillion per year, failing its own audits.
And it gets even worse: pic.twitter.com/gjlVKnHGbK
— Fernando Cao (@thefernandocz) March 2, 2025
When confronted about the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation’s $14.4 million furniture purchase, averaging $14,400 per employee, Kendall attempted to deflect by asking about IT equipment inclusions, ultimately stating he lacked “sufficient information to make an informed decision.” Fallon then highlighted the current administration’s inaction and contrasted it with DOGE’s recent progress, including the termination of 700 federal leases, representing a 10% reduction. He emphasized that buildings with national security implications would remain unaffected.
The congressman also revealed Kendall’s potential conflict of interest, asking if he worked for a trade association representing real estate owners who lease to the federal government, to which Kendall confirmed, “That is true.” The hearing, titled “Federal Foreclosure: Reducing the Federal Real Estate Portfolio,” included remarks from Chairwoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who emphasized the billions wasted annually on maintaining outdated and underutilized office buildings, along with unnecessary office furniture purchases.
"The waste is worse than anyone could possibly imagine. Experts the NIH has given awards to estimate 87.5% of all biomed research, esp animal testing, is wasteful. Yet, NIH & HHS flush over $20B/year down the toilet on these cruel & wasteful animal tests"
WCW to @DanaAlexaNews pic.twitter.com/XpUPkNAbxT
— White Coat Waste (@WhiteCoatWaste) February 15, 2025
