The Need For Oversight Over Stimulus Funding Heightens With Reports Of Misuse

Press Release

Cal Cunningham has warned against the "few strings attached" approach to the COVID-19 stimulus funds, and has repeatedly called for robust transparency and oversight to make sure the historic amount of taxpayer money being spent reaches those who need it most. And we continue to hear reports that support his calls for oversight.

Multiple reports released this week reveal that the lack of transparency and oversight over COVID-19 stimulus funding has increased "mystery" around who is benefitting and if this unprecedented amount of taxpayer dollars is ending up in the wrong hands.

The New York Times reported that despite receiving billions of dollars in taxpayer funds, top health care companies and providers are laying off or issuing pay cuts to doctors, nurses, and other front-line workers like cafeteria workers, janitors and nursing assistants, while many have continued to pay their top executives millions of dollars.
The Washington Post reported this week that two months following the passage of the CARES Act, agencies are "struggling to snap into action" to distribute relief funds to support food banks, nursing home compliance standards, and rural broadband programs, as well as funds to help FEMA purchase personal protective equipment for firefighters, and build up medical supplies in the Strategic National Stockpile.
The Guardian reported this week that the Paycheck Protection Program is "ripe for abuse" because of the program's lack of oversight. The administration is refusing to disclose which companies are getting the money, saying that it's "proprietary" and "confidential" information, and eleven national news publications are even suing the Small Business Administration for public records. Many small businesses, especially minority-owned businesses, are still waiting to receive funds, while the PPP "sent money to companies that did not critically need financial aid." Oversight advocates call issues with the program "mind-boggling" and a "shocking lack of transparency."

While Thom Tillis is too weak to stand up to the administration as it undermines accountability measures by firing four inspectors general, Cal Cunningham believes in establishing oversight provisions to guard against corruption.

That means both acting with the type of urgency that this moment demands and ensuring that taxpayer money is being used for its intended purpose.

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