Watchdog calls on Pelosi and Schumer to Ensure CARES Act Transparency

“The American people have a right to know whether elected officials are wisely responding to the crisis or are, instead, steering taxpayer funds in a direction that could benefit close associates, donors, business allies, or to enrich themselves altogether.”

READ THE LETTER HERE.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Progressive government watchdog Accountable.US today sent a letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer asking that they ensure transparency for every tax dollar spent through coronavirus financial support legislation. The call to action is in response to a Washington Post report indicating the Trump administration intends to keep secret the identities of some companies that receive financial support through the CARES Act.

“Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer should follow through on their commitment to transparency by drawing a sharp line in the sand before any taxpayer funds are spent under the CARES Act,” said Kyle Herrig, President of Accountable.US. “Congress should refuse to approve any funds unless explicit guarantees are made to shine a light on the beneficiaries of this bailout.”

Accountable.US is asking Congress to release the amount of funds dispersed, identities of recipients, and terms of repayment, amongst other basic information the administration has refused to disclose.

The letter reads, in part, “Without these basic transparency measures, our elected leaders would be able to spend billions of taxpayer dollars without anyone knowing where the money is going, which is a recipe for corruption to take hold.”

The calls for transparency follow a number of stories indicating that the President himself may financially benefit from the bailouts and that he has fired watchdogs throughout the government who he deemed to be politically disloyal. Both Pelosi’s and Schumer’s offices have called for greater transparency in the distribution of coronavirus financial support.

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