false

Dr. Boozman's Check-up

The General Services Administration (GSA) continues to come under fire as more and more information surfaces about the expanding scandal surrounding excessive, wasteful and in some cases impermissible use of taxpayer money .

During this morning’s Senate Environment and Public Works hearing, we brought two GSA officials before us to testify.

GSA Inspector General Brian Miller and Dan Tangherlini, the agency’s Acting Administrator, both spoke of the black-eye this scandal has given the GSA and how they are working to prevent future abuse.  I was pleased to hear Mr. Tangherlini say he’s moving to strip some autonomy from the regional offices and that Mr. Miller intends to turn names over to the Department of Justice for prosecution. 

My concerns, however, remain.  Is there a culture of corruption that has become endemic at GSA?  Neither witness would confirm that under questioning, but it is hard to see how it would be inaccurate to say as more abuses come to light.

We can’t afford the costs of these wasteful actions—financial or otherwise.  Americans have lost faith in their institutions and government employees need to work to restore confidence, not further erode it. 

We deserve better than the actions on display by the GSA officials and employees wrapped up in this scandal.  My colleagues and I will work to hold everyone responsible for these wrongdoings accountable.