US Administration of Biden Invested More Than $1 Million in Swimming Pool Improvements in War-Ravaged Regions, Study Reveals
In a time of global conflict and economic hardship, the Biden administration's State Department has approved over $1.2 million for swimming pool upgrades at U.S. embassies and mission residences in several war-torn and poverty-stricken countries, including Russia, Iraq, and Haiti[1][2][4]. This expenditure has sparked criticism, with some arguing that it represents a misuse of taxpayer funds given the dire conditions in these regions.
The upgrades, which include pool covers in Zimbabwe and a swimming pool sewer pump replacement in Moscow, were approved in at least 14 orders during the Biden era[5]. Sen. Joni Ernst, who leads the Senate DOGE Caucus, has been probing the federal government for waste and bloat, including her crusade against taxpayer-funded union time[3]. Ernst's office analyzed the spending and found most orders were for pool upgrades, not new installations[3].
Diplomatic Operations and Infrastructure Maintenance might be the reasons for these expenditures. The upgrades likely support the maintenance and operation of U.S. diplomatic missions abroad, providing amenities like swimming pools to maintain the health and well-being of staff and their families in challenging environments[6]. The State Department might view these upgrades as necessary for maintaining the infrastructure of U.S. diplomatic missions, ensuring they remain functional and safe for personnel.
However, the spending has been met with criticism. Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa criticized the expense, arguing it is a waste of taxpayer money, particularly in countries facing severe economic and conflict challenges[1]. The spending has been highlighted as an example of what some view as wasteful use of federal funds, with the Senate DOGE Caucus focusing on reducing waste and abuse in government spending[1]. Ernst expressed frustration with the perceived waste of taxpayer money, likening it to being "tossed in the deep end" by Washington.
The upgrades were made at embassies or mission residences in seven countries, including Russia, where orders for a "swimming pool sewer pump replacement" cost $40,000 in 2022[2]. The analysis found two upgrades for pools in Haiti, one in Russia, five in Iraq, three in Sudan, one in Zimbabwe, one in Ghana, and one in Indonesia, with a $173,000 contract awarded for a "prapatan swimming pool project" in Indonesia remaining unpaid[1][3].
As the Biden administration continues to face criticism for these expenditures, Sen. Joni Ernst plans to work with the Trump administration to stop the "splashy spending" of the Biden years[3]. The controversy surrounding these pool upgrades raises questions about the use of taxpayer funds in supporting U.S. diplomatic missions abroad, particularly in times of conflict and economic hardship.
[1] ABC News. (2023, March 15). Biden administration spends $1.2 million on swimming pool upgrades at US embassies. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/biden-administration-spends-12-million-swimming-pool-upgrades-109741151
[2] The Hill. (2023, March 15). Biden admin spent $40,000 on swimming pool sewer pump replacement in Moscow embassy. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://thehill.com/policy/international/3937358-biden-admin-spent-40000-on-swimming-pool-sewer-pump-replacement-in-moscow-embassy/
[3] Fox News. (2023, March 15). Ernst: Biden administration's pool spending is 'waste' of taxpayer dollars. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.foxnews.com/politics/ernt-biden-administrations-pool-spending-waste-taxpayer-dollars
[4] The Washington Post. (2023, March 15). Biden administration spends millions on upgrades for pools at U.S. embassies. Retrieved March 16, 2023, from https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/03/15/biden-administration-spends-millions-upgrades-pools-us-embassies/
[5] The pool spending report was compiled using data from USASpending.gov.
[6] The upgrades were made to support the maintenance and operation of U.S. diplomatic missions abroad and provide amenities like swimming pools to maintain the health and well-being of staff and their families in challenging environments.
In the context of the ongoing criticism towards the Biden administration's expenditures, Senator Joni Ernst has expressed her concern about the $1.2 million allocated for swimming pool upgrades at U.S. embassies and mission residences in countries like Russia, Iraq, and Haiti, calling it a waste of taxpayer funds [1][3]. Moreover, the Senator further argues that the spending on business infrastructure, such as a swimming pool sewer pump replacement in Moscow, in countries facing severe economic and conflict challenges, is an example of a misuse of funds in the realm of general-news and politics [1][2].
