“The methodology of the experiment requires scientists to infect perfectly healthy cats with COVID-19, watch them suffer through infection for different lengths of time, and then kill them in groups of four.”
Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has unveiled his annual "Festivus" list of wasteful government spending. The list tallied over $1 trillion in wasteful spending from the federal government, including funds for ice-skating drag queens, securing Paraguay's border, and testing cocaine for mood disordered rats, and more, per the report.
The report from the Kentucky Senator's office stated, "This year, I am highlighting a whopping $1,008,313,329,626.12. That’s over $1 trillion in government waste, including things like ice-skating drag queens, a $12 Million Las Vegas pickleball complex, $4,840,082 on Ukrainian influencers, and more."
Paul, who has been at the forefront of trying to eliminate government waste and spending, has revealed a number of projects approved by both Republicans and Democrats in 2024. One example was the Department of Health and Human Services shelling out over $400,000 for a study to see if "lonely rats seek cocaine more than happy rats."
Other animal testing included over $2 million going to Cornell in the form of grants to "study whether felines can contract and transmit COVID-19." The report added, "The methodology of the experiment requires scientists to infect perfectly healthy cats with COVID-19, watch them suffer through infection for different lengths of time, and then kill them in groups of four."
In addition to the animal tests, "The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) awarded the Bearded Ladies Cabaret a $10,000 grant to support a cabaret show on ice skates focused on climate change," the report added. The group, based in Philadelphia, PA, describes itself as "a queer arts organization that sits on your lap and sings you a story." Over $250,000 was sent to Bosnia by the State Department in order to help fight "misinformation" as well.
While many Americans have been concerned over border security for the United States, the State Department also spent $2.1 million in order to help fund border security in Paraguay. One of the top expenses was around $10 billion, where the federal government "spent $10 billion on maintaining, leasing, and furnishing almost entirely empty buildings." The number of government workers that actually go into the office in Washington DC on a consistent basis full time is around 6 percent, according to recent report put together by Sen. Joni Earnst (R-IA).
Libby’s Desk
Commentary and must-reads from Libby’s desk, straight to your inbox.
TPM Newsletter
The Post Millennial’s top stories, delivered to your inbox.
