What's Happening in Increase Transparency

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It’s Been a Busy Summer!

August 09, 2013 | Our Take |

It’s Been a Busy Summer! It’s been a busy summer! So far, we’ve been instrumental in exposing corporate subsidies in the farm bill. We gained ground in our... Read More

Left-Right Agree: Disclose Senate Tax Reform Proposals

August 01, 2013 | Letters & Testimony | Budget & Tax

Left-Right Agree: Disclose Senate Tax Reform Proposals   August 1, 2013 Dear Senator, American taxpayers deserve to know the priorities of... Read More

It’s Time for Tax Reform Transparency

July 31, 2013 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

It’s Time for Tax Reform Transparency Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Hatch (R-UT) should be commended for their ‘Blank Slate’ approach to... Read More

Make Tax Reform Proposals Public

July 26, 2013 | Letters & Testimony | Budget & Tax

Make Tax Reform Proposals Public Today, TCS joined 29 other diverse organizations in a letter urging transparency within the tax reform debate.... Read More

Letter to Senate: Support Common Sense Amendments to Transportation/HUD Appropriations Bill

July 24, 2013 | Letters & Testimony | Transportation & Infrastructure

Propsals would cut wasteful spending and increase transparency.... Read More

Fiscal Conservatives Urge Open Rule for Defense Spending Bill

July 16, 2013 | Letters & Testimony | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations , National Security

Fiscal Conservatives Urge Open Rule for Defense Spending Bill   July 22, 2013 Dear Speaker Boehner, We understand that the House of... Read More

Important Cuts Fail & Wasteful Subsidies Hang On in House Energy & Water Bill

July 12, 2013 | Our Take | Budget & Tax , Energy

Important Cuts Fail & Wasteful Subsidies Hang On in House Energy & Water Bill Late Wednesday night the House wrapped up debate on the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2014. Several... Read More

USEC Avoids NYSE Delisting—For Now

July 01, 2013 | Our Take | Energy

USEC Avoids NYSE Delisting—For Now Shareholders of the United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) have approved a reverse stock split (artificially raising the share price... Read More

Baucus and Hatch Propose Blank Slate Tax Reform

June 27, 2013 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

Baucus and Hatch Propose Blank Slate Tax Reform Today, Senate Finance Chairman Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Hatch (R-UT) sent a letter to their colleagues proposing “blank slate”... Read More

Fiscal Conservative Organizations Outraged at Farm Bill Process

June 19, 2013 | Letters & Testimony | Agriculture , Earmarks & Appropriations

Fiscal Conservative Organizations Outraged at Farm Bill Process Today, TCS joined other fiscal conservative organizations expressing outrage at the farm bill process. ... Read More

Letter to House Rules Committee: Allow Open Debate on Farm Bill

June 18, 2013 | Letters & Testimony | Agriculture

Letter to House Rules Committee: Allow Open Debate on Farm Bill Today, TCS urged the House Rules Committee to allow a full and open debate on the farm bill.... Read More

USEC’s Paducah Uranium Enrichment Facility Closing

May 29, 2013 | Our Take | Energy

USEC’s Paducah Uranium Enrichment Facility Closing The United States Enrichment Corporation (USEC) announced Friday it will shut down its Paducah gaseous diffusion plant, a Cold War-era... Read More

Letter to Senate: Oppose Bloated Farm Bill

May 23, 2013 | Letters & Testimony | Agriculture

Letter to Senate: Oppose Bloated Farm Bill Taxpayers for Common Sense sent a letter to the Senate, urging support for common sense reforms to the 2013 farm bill.... Read More

New Report Casts Further Doubt on Troubled FutureGen Project

April 19, 2013 | Our Take | Energy

New Report Casts Further Doubt on Troubled FutureGen Project A recent report by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) questions whether or not the nearly decade long, $1.65 billion FutureGen... Read More

First Award for Small Modular Reactor Program Announced

April 16, 2013 | Our Take | Energy

First Award for Small Modular Reactor Program Announced The Department of Energy (DOE) and Babcock & Wilcox Company (B&W) announced yesterday that a subsidiary of B&W—B&W mPower, LLC—will... Read More

White House Budget Proposes Spending More On Small Modular Reactors, Winner of 2013 “Golden Fleece Award”

April 10, 2013 | Press Releases | Energy

White House Budget Proposes Spending More On Small Modular Reactors, Winner of 2013 “Golden Fleece Award” FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 10, 2013 CONTACTS: Steve Ellis, (202) 546-8500 x126, or... Read More

TCS Analysis of the FY14 Presidential Budget Request

TCS Analysis of the FY14 Presidential Budget Request Taxpayers for Common Sense staff will be combing through the budget over the next several hours and days and bringing to light various... Read More

Interior punts decision to determine royalty rate on risky oil shale speculation

March 22, 2013 | Press Releases | Energy , Natural Resources

Interior punts decision to determine royalty rate  on risky oil shale speculation TCS released a statement on the Interior Department's proposed rule making on oil shale development... Read More

Joint Letter to the Senate: Support Crop Insurance Transparency

March 21, 2013 | Letters & Testimony | Agriculture , Budget & Tax

Joint Letter to the Senate: Support Crop Insurance Transparency Taxpayers for Common Sense and eight other fiscal conservative organizations urge support for a crop insurance transparency amendment. ... Read More

$15 Billion in Taxpayer-Backed Loan Guarantees Likely to Go Out the Door from Flawed DOE Program

March 21, 2013 | Our Take | Energy

$15 Billion in Taxpayer-Backed Loan Guarantees Likely to Go Out the Door from Flawed DOE Program The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released their annual analysis of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Loan Guarantee... Read More

Fiscal Year 2013 Continuing Resolution/Spending bills

Fiscal Year 2013 Continuing Resolution/Spending bills The current CR and spending bills theoretically mimic the FY13 appropriations bills, but we’ve started looking to see where lawmakers added and subtracted dollars.... Read More

Big Oil, Big Profits: Industry Tops $120 Billion in 2012

February 05, 2013 | Our Take | Energy

Big Oil, Big Profits: Industry Tops $120 Billion in 2012 As annual financial reports come in, it’s clear the oil and gas industry is looking to continue its decade long trend of being one of the... Read More

Government Report: Taxpayers Losing Billions in Unaccounted Minerals Extracted from Federal Lands

December 20, 2012 | Our Take | Natural Resources

Government Report: Taxpayers Losing Billions in Unaccounted Minerals Extracted from Federal Lands The federal government does not know the value of hardrock minerals being extracted from public lands, a new report by the Government... Read More

Hall Bill to Create Millions in New Taxpayer Handouts for Oil Shale

December 10, 2012 | Press Releases | Energy , Natural Resources

Last month, Representative Ralph Hall (R-TX) introduced a bill (H.R. 6603) to create $50 million in new taxpayer-funded handouts for oil shale speculation.... Read More

Report shows billions risked on oil shale speculation

November 29, 2012 | Press Releases | Budget & Tax , Energy , Natural Resources

Report shows billions risked on oil shale speculation With fiscal cliff looming, TCS calls for end to government handouts for failed oil shale experiments.... Read More

Preserve NNSA Cost Controls in Defense Authorization Bill

November 28, 2012 | Letters & Testimony | National Security

Preserve NNSA Cost Controls in Defense Authorization Bill Taxpayers for Common Sense sent a letter to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees today asking members to protect cost-controlling language for nuclear weapons in the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). ... Read More

House Scuttles Debate on Amendment to Truly Stop Next Solyndra

September 12, 2012 | Our Take | Energy

House Scuttles Debate on Amendment to Truly Stop Next Solyndra The House Committee on Rules decided yesterday to sideline an amendment offered by Representative Tom McClintock (R-CA) to stop all new... Read More

Statement: TCS President on Passage of No More Solyndras Act

September 12, 2012 | Statements | Energy

Today House lawmakers passed the fatally flawed "No More Solyndras Act" enabling tens of billions of dollars in high-risk, costly loan guarantees to move forward. Instead of fulfilling its promise, this misleadingly named bill will... Read More

More Solyndras Act Passes Committee

July 31, 2012 | Our Take | Energy

Today the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed the so-called “No More Solyndras Act.” While the bill includes some taxpayer... Read More

Letter to Congress: No More Solyndras Act Fails to Fully Protect Taxpayers

July 30, 2012 | Letters & Testimony | Energy

Letter to Congress: No More Solyndras Act Fails to Fully Protect Taxpayers Taxpayers for Common Sense joined several groups today urging Congress to support changes to the 'No More Solyndras Act' in order to... Read More

“No More Solyndras Act” Moves Forward

July 26, 2012 | Our Take | Energy

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power voted 14-6 Wednesday to send the “No More Solyndras Act” to the full... Read More

No More Solyndras Act Falls Short for Taxpayers

July 11, 2012 | Our Take | Energy

The House Subcommittee on Energy and Power and the House Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations held a joint hearing today to... Read More

Green Scissors 2012 Finds Environmentally Destructive Federal Programs

Green Scissors 2012 Finds Environmentally Destructive Federal Programs Left-Right coalition identifies practical steps Congress could take to slash deficits, save natural resources.... Read More

Congress Votes to Keep Same Program That Brought You Solyndra Alive

June 11, 2012 | Our Take | Energy

Last week the House of Representatives passed the Energy and Water spending bill that provides funding for the Department of Energy's... Read More

BETA - New TCS Digital Infrastructure

June 05, 2012 | Our Take | Transportation & Infrastructure

BETA - New TCS Digital Infrastructure Our new website and digital toolkit is live in BETA testing.... Read More

Stop the Next Solyndra: Put the Brakes on Troubled Loan Guarantee Program

June 04, 2012 | Our Take | Energy

Reps. Kucinich (D-OH) and McClintock (R-CA) have offered an amendment to stop new loan guarantees from the Department of Energy (DOE)... Read More

Defense Authorization Antics Begin

May 24, 2012 | Our Take | National Security

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is the largest policy bill directing the nation’s annual spending, accounting for some $650... Read More

TCS Statement on Sanders-Ellison Bill Eliminating Fossil Fuel Subsidies

May 09, 2012 | Statements | Energy

Thank you, Senator Sanders, for inviting me to join you today. Some of you might be wondering what Taxpayers for Common Sense is doing at... Read More

GSA Inspector General Blasts Lavish Conference Spending

April 03, 2012 | Our Take |

The media has been awash with reports on the more than $800,000 Las Vegas, NV conference the Western Regions of the General Services... Read More

Problems with DOE Loan Guarantee Program Continue

March 21, 2012 | Our Take | Energy

Last week the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a new report in a series of on-going analyses criticizing the Department of... Read More

TCS Analysis of the FY13 Presidential Budget Request

Last Updated: February 19, 2012 The FY2013 Presidential Budget Request was released this morning (2/13/2012). TCS staff will be posting... Read More

White House Loan Guarantee Review

February 10, 2012 | Our Take | Energy

Today the White House released a 60 day review of the Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Guarantee Program. The review, conducted by former... Read More

New Nuclear Reactors Must Move Forward Without Passing Risk to Taxpayers

February 09, 2012 | Our Take | Energy

For the first time in decades, a new nuclear reactor is getting its federal license to build and operate in the United States. Today, the... Read More

Counting on Speculative Oil and Gas Revenues to Fund our Transportation Needs is Fiscally Reckless

February 01, 2012 | Our Take | Energy , Natural Resources , Transportation & Infrastructure

Counting on Speculative Oil and Gas Revenues to Fund our Transportation Needs is Fiscally Reckless Today the House Natural Resources Committee considered the energy portions of the American Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Act (the... Read More

Coalition Demands Deficit Plans be Public

December 05, 2011 | Letters & Testimony | Budget & Tax

Taxpayers for Common Sense and a coalition of groups sent a letter to the President, Speaker Boehner, and Majority Leader Reid today... Read More

House Subcommittee Discusses Loan Guarantees

November 30, 2011 | Our Take | Energy

The House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight met as part of an ongoing series of hearings... Read More

Loan Guarantee Program Up for Review

November 29, 2011 | Our Take | Energy

The Department of Energy (DOE) Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program is coming up for some much needed scrutiny after two companies funded... Read More

A Legacy for Earmarks (updated 11/14/2011)

November 14, 2011 | Our Take |

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee today passed its version of a transportation reauthorization bill, to replace the... Read More

Uranium Loan Guarantee Is A Bad Bet

November 02, 2011 | Our Take | Energy

Department of Energy (DOE) loan guarantees are and should be under the magnifying glass. On August 31, 2011, the first company to receive... Read More

Solyndra Probe Continues

October 13, 2011 | Our Take | Energy

Today the House continued its investigation of the failed Department of Energy loan guarantee to the solar start-up Solyndra. Today... Read More

Clock Ticking Only On Some of the Risky DOE Loan Guarantees

September 20, 2011 | Our Take | Energy

Today, a portion of the Dept. of Energy Loan Guarantee Program will expire. While that’s good news for taxpayers the trouble is far from... Read More

Coalition Letter to Support Transparency in Super Committee

September 19, 2011 | Letters & Testimony |

A coalition of watchdog groups, along with Taxpayers for Common Sense, sent a letter to the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction, or the... Read More

Another Report Points to Taxpayers Losing Billions On Risky DOE Loan Guarantees

August 02, 2011 | Our Take | Energy

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) recently released a report on federal loan guarantees for nuclear power plants, which seriously... Read More

Regulatory Comments for Office of Natural Resources Revenue Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Federal Oil and Gas Valuation

July 14, 2011 | Letters & Testimony | Energy , Natural Resources

Taxpayers for Common Sense submitted comments to the Office of Natural Resources Revenue concerning Federal Oil and Gas... Read More

TCS National Security Spending Update: Spending Big on Services

June 23, 2011 | Our Take | National Security

The Senate Armed Services Committee released the report for the FY2012 National Defense Authorization Act on Friday, and though it will... Read More

TCS VP Steve Ellis on CNN discussing ways in which Congress is “Bypassing the Earmark Ban”

June 03, 2011 | Press Releases |

Members of Congress promised an end to earmarks, but guess what? They found another way to spend your money. In this Memorial Day... Read More

$14 Trillion U.S. Debt Leaves No Room for Treasury-Backed Loan Guarantees for Energy Projects

June 01, 2011 | Event Summary | Energy

WASHINGTON, D.C.///June 1, 2011///With Congress poised to move forward on more taxpayer-backed loan guarantees for nuclear, wind, solar,... Read More

TCS Subsidy Gusher Report Details 16 Billion in Annual Subsidies to Oil and Gas

May 16, 2011 | Press Releases | Energy

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) released “Subsidy Gusher: Taxpayers Stuck with Massive Subsidies while Oil and... Read More

Updates & Budgetary Gimmicks in the Final Continuing Resolution Unveiled by House Appropriations

The House Appropriations Committee released the final Continuing Resolution (CR) funding the federal government for the rest of the 2011... Read More

House Subcommittee Hearing on DOE Loan Guarantees

April 07, 2011 | Our Take | Energy

Taxpayers for Common Sense has been critical of the Loan Guarantee Program since its inception in 2005 and we are pleased that Congress... Read More

TCS VP Steve Ellis Op-Ed: Earmarks are dead. Long live earmarks (CNN)

April 06, 2011 | Press Releases | Earmarks & Appropriations

By Steve Ellis, CNNMoney guest columnist April 7, 2011: 11:31 AM ET Earmark reform: The end-arounds have begun -- Steve Ellis is Vice... Read More

Energy Loan Guarantee Program Under More Scrutiny

March 10, 2011 | Our Take | Energy

Energy Loan Guarantee Program Under More Scrutiny The Department of Energy Inspector General recently released a report faulting DOE... Read More

TCS Testifies at the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

March 03, 2011 | Letters & Testimony | Agriculture , Budget & Tax , Energy

On March 3, 2011 Taxpayers for Common Sense President Ryan Alexander testified at a House Committee on Oversight and Government reform... Read More

Ongoing Analysis of Debate Over FY11 Continuing Resolution

February 16, 2011 | Our Take | Budget & Tax , Energy , National Security

The House of Representatives is debating a Continuing Resolution to fund the federal government for the rest of fiscal year 2011 (through... Read More

CR Misses the Mark on Loan Guarantees

February 14, 2011 | Our Take | Energy

The House Continuing Appropriations Bill (CR) offers ample fodder for the chopping block. Unfortunately, House Republicans released a... Read More

TCS Reaction to Sen. Manchin (D-WV) Statement on Coal Subsidies

February 03, 2011 | Our Take | Energy , Natural Resources

We all know that lawmakers are allowed the occasional stretching of the truth, but at a Senate Energy and Natural Resources... Read More

A Taxpayer Victory!  Thank You!

February 02, 2011 | Letters & Testimony | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations

With the Senate's begrudging acceptance of an earmark moratorium, taxpayers just achieved a well-earned victory on the road to fiscal... Read More

Senate Appropriations Committee Announces Earmark Moratorium

February 01, 2011 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations

Today, Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-HI) announced a two year moratorium on earmarks. The call comes after... Read More

TCS VP Steve Ellis on NPR: How To Get Around The Ban On Earmarks

December 28, 2010 | Press Releases | Earmarks & Appropriations

Today, Taxpayers for Common Sense VP Steve Ellis spoke with NPR regarding ways to get around the earmark ban. You can listen to the NPR... Read More

TCS VP Steve Ellis on MSNBC’s The Last Word discussing the Earmark Moratorium

December 23, 2010 | Press Releases | Earmarks & Appropriations

Steve Ellis appeared on MSNBC's "The Last Word" program to discuss the earmark moratorium with Lawrence O'Donnell and Congressman Tim... Read More

TCS mentioned by media outlets after TCS found 6,700 earmarks worth $8.3 billion in the Omnibus bill

December 20, 2010 | Press Releases |

Senate Democrats unveiled a $1.1 trillion omnibus spending bill yesterday.  The bill is over 1,900 pages in length.  Taxpayers for Common... Read More

Sen. McCain mentions TCS work on the Earmarks Request Database on the Senate Floor

December 14, 2010 | Press Releases |

Dec. 14, 2010 Taxpayers for Common Sense was mentioned by Senator John McCain (R-AZ) on the Senate floor today about our work on the... Read More

Congressional Briefing on Department of Energy Loan Guarantees

November 30, 2010 | Our Take | Energy

(Update 9/30/2010) Today, Taxpayers for Common Sense participated in a discussion on whether taxpayers should bear the risks for the... Read More

A Transportation Earmark is Still an Earmark

Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) told a local newspaper this week that she supports a ban on earmarks – but then turned around and said that... Read More

TCS & Earmark Reforms Mentioned by Sen. James Inhofe on Senate Floor

November 16, 2010 | Press Releases | Earmarks & Appropriations

Yesterday, while speaking on the Senate floor, Sen. Inhofe (R-OK) highlighted the earmark reforms that TCS developed with other... Read More

TCS VP Steve Ellis discusses The Future of Earmark Transparency on Capitol Hill

November 15, 2010 | Press Releases | Earmarks & Appropriations

Yesterday, the Advisory Committee on Transparency hosted “the Future of Earmark Transparency” on Capitol Hill. The Advisory Committee... Read More

Good Government Groups & Lobbyists Hold a Briefing on The Future of Earmarks

October 20, 2010 | Press Releases |

Yesterday, Taxpayers for Common Sense Vice President Steve Ellis held a briefing alongside Melanie Sloan, Executive Director, Citizens... Read More

TCS VP Steve Ellis debates American League of Lobbyists’ President Dave Wenhold on CNBC

October 20, 2010 | Press Releases |

Today, Taxpayers for Common Sense Vice President Steve Ellis debated American League of Lobbyists President Dave Wenhold on the record... Read More

Press Briefing: Nonpartisan Coalition of Lobbyists and Advocates to Announce Commonsense Earmark Ref

September 29, 2010 | Press Releases |

 Date: Monday, September 27, 2010 CAGW Leslie K. Paige 202-467-5334 lpaige@cagw.org TCS: Steve Ellis 202-546-8500... Read More

Earmark Lobbyist Pleads Guilty; Lobby Shop’s Earmarks Detailed

September 24, 2010 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations , National Security

September 24, 2010 (Update) Former high-powered PMA lobbyist Paul Magliocchetti has pleaded guilty to an illegal contribution scheme in... Read More

UPDATE: Senate adds $2.6 billion in earmarks to defense spending bill

September 15, 2010 | Our Take | National Security

(September 16)  In passing its edition of the FY2011 defense spending bill today, the Senate Appropriations Committee didn’t add much to... Read More

Tribute to Beth Daley: A Friendly Watchdog

August 22, 2010 | Statements |

Taxpayers for Common Sense mourns the passing of our friend and colleague Beth Daley, a fierce and dedicated advocate at the Project on... Read More

TCS Statement on SACE FOIA lawsuit against DOE Loan Guarantee Program

August 10, 2010 | Statements | Energy

  Statement by Steve Ellis, Vice President, Taxpayers for Common Sense at Southern Alliance for Clean Energy Tele-Press Conference... Read More

FutureGen: Massive Clean Coal Project Changes Track, Still Securing $1 Billion Earmarked in the Stimulus

August 04, 2010 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations , Energy

Today, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced that the plan to build “FutureGen” a massive commercial “clean coal” facility in Mattoon,... Read More

Senate Takes a Step Toward Earmark Transparency

July 27, 2010 | Our Take | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations

By an 11-5 vote today the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee passed  S.3335, the Earmark Transparency Act of 2010.... Read More

Letter to Chairman Oberstar: TCS Supports Efforts to Rescind Unused Transportation Earmarks

July 26, 2010 | Letters & Testimony | Earmarks & Appropriations , Transportation & Infrastructure

Chairman James Oberstar House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 2165 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC... Read More

Taxpayer Victory—Senate Strips Energy Loan Guarantees from Emergency Spending Bill

July 22, 2010 | Our Take | Energy

Late yesterday the Senate rejected the House passed Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill, which included $18 billion in new loan... Read More

Alaska Adopts Sensible Policy on Transportation Earmarks

Earlier this week, our attention was pointed to a new earmark policy released by the Alaska Department of Transportation and Public... Read More

Another Loan Guarantee Putting Taxpayer Dollars at Risk

July 08, 2010 | Our Take | Energy

On Wednesday, AREVA, a French nuclear power conglomerate, accepted a Department of Energy conditional loan guarantee of $2 billion for... Read More

Abandoned Gulf Wells Could Cost Taxpayers

July 07, 2010 | Our Take | Energy

An AP investigation released yesterday found that in the gulf region alone, there are approximately 27,000 abandoned wells lying... Read More

$36 Billion Dollar Giveaway to Nuclear Industry Causes Meltdown in Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee

June 24, 2010 | Our Take | Energy

As we posted yesterday, the Fiscal Year 2011 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill mark-up scheduled in the Subcommittee was postponed. ... Read More

Bipartisan Support for Earmark Database Bill Continues

June 01, 2010 | Our Take | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations

(June 2)  Fully one-fifth of Senators have now joined efforts to show American taxpayers the true priorities of Congress. ... Read More

TCS President Ryan Alexander’s Hearing Testimony on The Legality and Efficacy of Line-Item Veto

May 26, 2010 | Letters & Testimony | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations

Today, Taxpayers for Common Sense President Ryan Alexander testified at the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on the Legality and Efficacy of Line-Item Veto Proposals... Read More

Federal Oil and Gas Agency Divided

May 20, 2010 | Our Take | Energy

Yesterday Interior Secretary Ken Salazar issued a Secretarial Order dividing the Minerals Management Agency, the federal manager of oil... Read More

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development Discusses Funding for Different Energy Sectors

April 07, 2010 | Our Take | Energy

On March 17th, the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development donned green ties for St. Patrick’s Day and met to... Read More

House Republicans Adopt One-Year Earmark Moratorium

March 11, 2010 | Our Take | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations

It’s been quite a whirlwind the last couple days. On Wednesday, the House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) announced a... Read More

House Spending Committee Continues Down Path of Earmark Reform

March 10, 2010 | Event Summary | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations

The House Appropriations Committee took a positive step today on the long journey toward earmark reform. Chairman David Obey (D-WI)... Read More

Ethics Committee Ignores Earmark Problems

February 26, 2010 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations

The House Ethics Committee today closed their investigation into ties between campaign donation to seven lawmakers and earmarks to the... Read More

Senate Energy Panel Discusses President’s Proposed Budget Cuts, Increases

February 22, 2010 | Our Take | Energy

On February 4th, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) Committee held a hearing on the President’s FY2011 Department of Energy... Read More

FY2011 Budget Request: President Terminates Yucca Mountain, Increases Funding for Other Nuclear Projects

February 01, 2010 | Our Take | Energy

The President’s budget ends funding for the Yucca Mountain project, which was intended to be a permanent nuclear waste disposal site.... Read More

FY2011 Budget Request: Administration Triples Risky Loan Guarantees for Nuclear Reactors

February 01, 2010 | Our Take | Energy

The President’s FY2011 budget proposal triples funding to the Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program.  This includes $36 billion in... Read More

Bailout Bank Bio: Citigroup Inc.

December 14, 2009 | Budget & Tax

Citigroup continues to be one of the largest recipients of taxpayer assistance under TARP (the financial industry bailout). Citigroup is... Read More

TCS Earmark Analysis and Proposal for Reform

December 11, 2009 | Our Take |

The traditional partisan earmark split was maintained. Of earmarks requested by only Republicans or only Democrats, the old 60/40... Read More

Troop Surge Dollars Must be Watched

December 03, 2009 | Our Take | National Security

Since President Obama announced a 30,000 troop buildup for Afghanistan Tuesday, everyone is asking the inevitable question: How much is... Read More

House Office Expenditures Available Electronically

November 30, 2009 |

The U.S. House of Representatives has taken one more step toward transparency with the inaugural publication of an electronic version of... Read More

Dollars Fly Overseas to Military Bases

November 12, 2009 | Our Take | National Security

The annual military construction spending bill is not generally a big deal for Congress, which treats it as an opportunity to fund gyms... Read More

Make the Contractor Performance Database Available to the Public

November 05, 2009 | Our Take | National Security

After years of debate, taxpayers are close to finally getting a federal contractor misconduct database that should stop their money from... Read More

Watchdogs to Defense Secretary Gates: Tell Congress Earmarks Cannot be Tolerated

October 14, 2009 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations , National Security

Government watchdogs yesterday sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates urging him to make it unmistakably clear to Congress... Read More

Senators Deliver Earmark Cash for Campaign Contributors

October 07, 2009 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations , National Security

Taxpayers for Common Sense (TCS) has cross-referenced earmarks sought and obtained by Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee members... Read More

Bailout Transparency Continues to Fall Short

October 07, 2009 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) just released its eighth report on TARP, this one a look back over the life of the program. ... Read More

Inouye, Cochran Benefit from Earmark Recipients

September 28, 2009 | Our Take | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations , National Security

Taxpayers for Common Sense has mapped the connections between earmarks and campaign contributions for the chairman and ranking member of... Read More

TCS Weighs in on Proposed Changes to the DOE Loan Guarantee Program

September 22, 2009 | Our Take | Energy

Yesterday TCS submitted comments to the Department of Energy (DOE) on proposed changes to the Title XVII Loan Guarantee Program. In early... Read More

Watchdogs Release Database Detailing Earmarks and Campaign Contributions

August 12, 2009 | Press Releases | Earmarks & Appropriations

                                                                          For immediate... Read More

House Defense Appropriators Rake in Earmarks for Campaign Contributors

July 23, 2009 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations , National Security

Taxpayers for Common Sense analyzed the FY2010 Defense Appropriations spending bill that recently passed the House Appropriations... Read More

Another Huge Year for Oil and Gas Industry Profits

July 16, 2009 | Our Take | Energy

Exxon Mobil likes breaking records. In 2007, it posted the biggest annual profit number reported by any American company ever — $40.6... Read More

House Defense Appropriations Committee Members Rake in Nearly $1 million from Potential Earmark Beneficiaries

A Taxpayers for Common Sense analysis found that the House lawmakers who write the annual defense spending bill asked for billions of... Read More

TCS Holds Congressional Briefing on Defense Spending

July 14, 2009 | Event Summary | National Security

Taxpayers for Common Sense sponsored a briefing for House of Representatives members and staffers Wednesday, July 15, titled Defense... Read More

House Commerce, Justice, Science Earmarks

June 09, 2009 | Our Take | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations

The House Appropriatations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) released the list of earmarks from its... Read More

Nuclear Weapons: Transformation or Business As Usual?

June 04, 2009 | Our Take | National Security

Two Senate hearings on nuclear weapons this week showed that the Obama administration’s charge toward a smaller—and hopefully... Read More

Fight Over Weapons Cuts is About to Get Ugly

April 08, 2009 | Our Take | National Security

At Monday’s unveiling of major weapons cuts in the 2010 defense budget, Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he hoped members of Congress... Read More

No Joke: Stevens Conviction to be Thrown Out

March 31, 2009 | Our Take |

According to media reports, the Justice Department will ask for dismissal of the indictment against former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens (R)... Read More

Recommendations to the President for Earmark Reform

March 10, 2009 | Our Take | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations

At Taxpayers for Common Sense, we believe that all funding decisions must be made on the basis of merit, federal priorities and national... Read More

President Obama Releases 2010 Federal Budget

February 26, 2009 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

President Obama has released his proposed federal budget for FY2010.  Download a copy of the budget here:  FY10 Federal Budget... Read More

Letter to the President: Pledge to Keep the Stimulus Earmark Free

February 23, 2009 | Letters & Testimony | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations

The President The White House Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President, On behalf of the millions of members of our respective... Read More

Final Stimulus Bill Posted

February 13, 2009 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

The House of Representatives website is being bombarded by taxpayers trying to read the final economic stimulus bill. All 1500... Read More

Senate Holds Hearing on Energy Loan Guarantee Program

February 12, 2009 | Our Take | Energy

Today the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee held a hearing on the Department of Energy Loan Guarantee Program. The program,... Read More

$50 Billion Expansion of Loan Guarantee Program Cut from Stimulus

February 12, 2009 | Our Take | Energy

During conference negotiations over the stimulus bill, the egregious $50 billion expansion of the Department of Energy (DOE) Loan... Read More

Causes of the Financial Crisis (CRS Report)

February 10, 2009 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

A handy website called Open CRS has been tracking down as many Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports they can get their hands on... Read More

Key Accountability and Transparency Provisions in the Economic Stimulus Legislation

January 28, 2009 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

There are a lot of legitimate concerns about the size of the economic stimulus legislation and where some of the specific funds are... Read More

National Geographic To Air Government-Funded Homeland Security Special

January 28, 2009 | Our Take | National Security

A friend of Taxpayers for Common Sense in Maine just alerted us to something very interesting. Tonight, National Geographic is going to... Read More

House Economic Stimulus Bill Released

January 25, 2009 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

The latest version of the economic stimulus legislation that contains both the appropriations and tax portions of the legislation has... Read More

Stimulus Adds to Stratospheric Satellite Costs

January 23, 2009 | National Security

Despite energetic lobbying by the defense industry (and some lawmakers) the $825 billion stimulus bill now emerging from committee... Read More

Earmark Reform Bill Introduced in the Senate

January 08, 2009 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations

Taxpayers for Common Sense applauds Sens. John McCain (R-AZ), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) for... Read More

Congressman Gets Earmark for His Church

January 06, 2009 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations

Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL) appears to have taken the saying “taking care of your flock” to another level. Rush, who is also an... Read More

House, Senate Appropriators Offer Further Earmark Reforms

January 06, 2009 | Statements | Earmarks & Appropriations

Today, the House and Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman announced new earmark reforms for FY10 spending bills. The new reforms:... Read More

New Reports Document Wasteful War Spending

December 16, 2008 | Our Take | National Security

Just in time for a new war funding request to hit Capitol Hill, a trio of recently released documents recall just how badly the Pentagon... Read More

Bailout Lacks Measures of Success and Oversight Tools

December 02, 2008 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

It’s been about two months since the U.S. Treasury Department implemented its Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). With nearly half of... Read More

Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Bank Bailout Spending

October 30, 2008 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

Concerns are rising that the Treasury Department is allowing banks too much leeway to decide how they spending the bailout funds. Reports... Read More

President Approves $5 Billion in Defense Earmarks

October 13, 2008 | Our Take | National Security

The President today signed the 2009 Defense Authorization bill. While the levels of earmarks are down significantly from previous years,... Read More

Top 10 Tax Sweeteners in the Bailout Bill

October 09, 2008 | Budget & Tax

Update: The House has just passed the final version of the 2008 Emergency Economic Stabilization Act, without making any changes to the... Read More

TCS Statement on the Bailout Plan

September 29, 2008 | Statements | Budget & Tax

Washington, D.C – The following is a prepared statement by Ms. Ryan Alexander, President of Taxpayers for Common Sense on the Emergency... Read More

Coal-to-Liquid Earmarks DOD Appropriations

September 23, 2008 | Our Take | Energy , National Security

Today the House passed a Continuing Resolution and a minibus that included the final FY09 Defense spending bill, which had 6 earmarks for... Read More

Senate Turns Against Earmark Reform

September 17, 2008 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations , National Security

Tonight, the Senate passed the $612.5 billion Fiscal Year 2009 defense authorization bill. Virtually all the amendments to the... Read More

White House Targets Contract Reform

September 10, 2008 | Our Take | National Security

The White House has targeted several contracting reform initiatives in the Senate defense authorization bill as veto-worthy, though its... Read More

Wasilla, Alaska Benefited from Nearly $27 Million in Earmarks from 1996 to 2002

September 01, 2008 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations

As Mayor of Wasilla between 1996-2002, Gov. Sarah Palin (R-AK) helped get nearly $27 million in earmarked federal funding. Under her... Read More

New Analysis: Lawmakers Cutting Their Earmark Calories

August 17, 2008 | Our Take | Budget & Tax , Earmarks & Appropriations

During this election year, lawmakers are showing slight restraint in writing the earmarks in the FY 2009 spending bills, according to an... Read More

CBO: $85 Billion for Iraq Contractors

August 11, 2008 | Our Take | National Security

The Congressional Budget Office today released a report providing some of the most comprehensive estimates we’ve seen to date on the... Read More

Don Young Legal Defense Fund Disclosures Released

August 06, 2008 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations

New documents show that Rep Don Young (R-AK) has raised $54,000 for his legal defense fund. This money was raised mainly from Alaskan... Read More

Missile Defense Finds Funds in Milcon Earmarks

August 06, 2008 | Our Take | National Security

This week we finished databasing earmarks in the Fiscal Year 2009 Senate bill that funds military construction and veterans’ affairs,... Read More

Stevens Obtained $3.2 billion in earmarks between 2004-2008

July 29, 2008 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations

Taxpayers for Common Sense has released the last four years of earmark data for Alaska to help create an understanding of how powerful... Read More

Quick Overview of the Stevens Indictment

July 28, 2008 | Our Take |

The indictment handed down today in the federal case against Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK): Click Here Stevens was indicted on seven federal... Read More

TCS Statement on Don Young Ad Controversy

July 25, 2008 | Our Take | Budget & Tax

Washington, D.C. – The following is a written Statement by Ms. Ryan Alexander, President of Taxpayers for Common Sense: It has come to... Read More

TCS, Allies and Taxpayers Find 76 Lawmakers Publish Earmark Requests

July 14, 2008 | Press Releases | Earmarks & Appropriations

Every year lawmakers submit tens of thousands of earmark requests to the Appropriations Committees. Only a percentage of these make it... Read More

GAO Recommends Congress Limit Loan Guarantees

July 07, 2008 | Our Take | Energy

In a new report released today, the Government Accountability Office recommends Congress limit the amount of loan guarantees issued by... Read More

House Amps Up Energy Loan Guarantees

July 01, 2008 | Our Take | Energy

The Energy Policy Act of 2005 established the Department of Energy (DOE) Loan Guarantee Program to grant loan guarantees for innovative... Read More

Don Young’s “A Team” Lobbyist List Uncovered

June 17, 2008 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations

A two-page “survival guide” issued in 2007 to interns in Rep. Don Young’s (R–AK) office lists nine transportation lobbyists as “The A... Read More

Istook Sent Earmarks to Six Abramoff Clients

June 02, 2008 | Press Releases | Earmarks & Appropriations

A chief of staff for a former House Appropriations Committee Chairman pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to conspiring to defraud... Read More

DeMint Earmark Moratorium Amendment Fails

March 12, 2008 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations

So it finally happened at 10:30 tonight. The DeMint earmark moratorium amendment to the budget resolution came to a vote. When faced... Read More

More on Earmark Transparency

March 11, 2008 | Our Take | Earmarks & Appropriations

We’re still waiting to see what Speaker Pelosi does; word has been that it will be today. Over in the Senate, it keeps getting more... Read More

Examples of Federal Government Loan Guarantee Failures

November 07, 2007 | Our Take | Energy

Increasing reliance has been placed on federal government-backed private loan guarantees as a vehicle to fund private business... Read More

Oppose Blank Check Loan Guarantees in Final Energy Bill

October 31, 2007 | Letters & Testimony | Energy

              Dear Senator, We urge you to oppose the inclusion of language in the... Read More

Ask Senator Stevens to Give Up Committee Assignments

July 31, 2007 | Letters & Testimony | Earmarks & Appropriations

Dear Leader McConnell: I'm writing to request that you ask Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) to temporarily recuse himself from his... Read More

Land Swap for Cash Puts Rep. Rick Renzi in the Hot Seat

May 01, 2007 | Our Take | Natural Resources

Rep. Rick Renzi (R-AZ) was indicted in federal court on Feb. 22, 2008, on 35 counts including official extortion and money laundering.... Read More

Written Testimony Royalties at Risk Hearing before House Natural Resources Committee

March 27, 2007 | Letters & Testimony | Energy , Natural Resources

Good morning Chairman Rahall and members of the committee.  Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.  My name is Ryan Alexander... Read More

Oral Testimony Royalties at Risk Hearing before House Natural Resources Committee

March 27, 2007 | Letters & Testimony | Energy , Natural Resources

Good morning Chairman Rahall and distinguished members of the committee.  Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.  My name is... Read More

Administration Veto Slump Continues

August 07, 2005 | Statements | Energy

The following is a written statement by Jill Lancelot, President of Taxpayers for Common Sense on the President signing the energy... Read More

Thank You for Keeping Uranium Subsidies Out of the Energy Bill

July 20, 2005 | Letters & Testimony | Energy

            Dear Energy Bill Conferee, Taxpayers for Common Sense Action, a non-partisan... Read More

TCS Commissioned Report—Billions Spent to Deter Marijuana Use, But Program Effectiveness Remains Unknown

June 28, 2005 | Budget & Tax

Marijuana is the most widely used illegal substance in the United States, and study after study shows that despite spending billions of... Read More

House Passes Energy Bill

April 19, 2005 | Statements | Energy

The following is a written statement by Jill Lancelot, President of Taxpayers for Common Sense, on final passage of H.R. #6 – The Energy... Read More

End the 25-Year-Old Synfuels Scam: Support the Doggett Amendment

April 11, 2005 | Letters & Testimony | Energy

April 11, 2005 Dear Representative, We urge you to support the Doggett amendment to the... Read More

TCS Testimony: Waste, Fraud and Abuse in U.S. Government Contracting in Iraq

February 14, 2005 | Letters & Testimony | Budget & Tax

Oral Statement of Steve Ellis, Vice President of Programs, Taxpayers for Common Sense before Senate Democratic Policy Committee... Read More

Missed Opportunity on Energy & Water Spending Bill; House Pads Corps Water Budget

June 24, 2004 | Statements | Energy , Transportation & Infrastructure

The following is a prepared statement by Steve Ellis, Vice President at Taxpayers for Common Sense on the House Energy & Water... Read More

TCS Statement on House Energy Bill Debate

June 14, 2004 | Statements | Energy

Washington, D.C. - The following is a written statement by Jill Lancelot, President of Taxpayers for Common Sense, on the energy bill... Read More

Statement on S. 2095

February 19, 2004 | Statements | Energy

The following is a written statement by Aileen Roder, Program Director at Taxpayers for Common Sense on S. 2095: Washington, D.C. -... Read More

Wyden-Sununu Endorsements

October 31, 2003 | Our Take | Energy

Title IV, Subtitle B of S. 14 provides federal loan guarantees to build six new nuclear power plants at an estimated cost of $14 to $16... Read More

A Costly Deal on the Energy Bill

August 01, 2003 | Statements | Energy

             For Immediate Release August 1, 2003 A Costly Deal on the Energy... Read More

GAO to Audit Bonneville Power

April 22, 2003 | Statements | Energy , Natural Resources

Washington, D.C. - The General Accounting Office (GAO), the investigative arm of Congress, has alerted the Bonneville Power... Read More

Closer Scrutiny of BPA Finances Needed

February 07, 2003 | Statements | Energy

The following is a written statement by Autumn Hanna, Senior Policy Analyst at Taxpayers for Common Sense, a national budget watchdog... Read More

Cost Overruns, Unanswered Scientific Questions Plague Yucca Project

May 06, 2002 | Statements | Energy

Statement by Jill Lancelot, Legislative Director at Taxpayers for Common Sense for the May 7th YuccaMountain Press... Read More

Statement on Defeat of the Auburn Dam for the Fifth Time in a Decade

June 26, 2001 | Statements | Energy , Transportation & Infrastructure

Wasington, DC -- Last night Congress struck down the $2.5 Auburn Dam project for the fifth time in a decade through a major bi-partisan... Read More

Weekly Wastebasket

Our weekly reality-check for federal spending. View All

September 13, 2013

Syria: Excuse 535 To Not Cut the Deficit

Volume XVIII No. 37 Possible action in Syria has become the most recent excuse du jour for Pentagon boosters... Read More