Chairman Palmer Gives Statement on Biden’s Energy Spending Push

TL/DR –

Congressman Gary Palmer, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, made an opening statement at a hearing examining the Biden administration’s energy and environment spending. Palmer highlighted the significant spending increase and new programs at the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which received supplemental appropriations of $97 billion and $101.5 billion respectively, due to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). He raised concerns about potential misuse of these funds, citing previous issues when large amounts of funding were moved in short timeframes and stressed the importance of oversight in ensuring taxpayer dollars are being used responsibly.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Gary Palmer on Biden Administration’s Energy Spending

Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, addressed today’s hearing Examining The Biden Administration’s Energy And Environment Spending Push.

Chairman Palmer’s Prepared Opening Statement:

“It is an honor to serve as the Chairman of this Subcommittee. Our oversight responsibility includes ensuring our laws are effective and that the federal government responsibly uses taxpayer dollars,” Palmer stated. “Today’s hearing, ‘Examining the Biden Administration’s Energy and Environment Spending Push,’ addresses the government’s stewardship of taxpayer dollars, especially in light of soaring spending and the explosion of programs at the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mainly funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These laws provided supplemental appropriations of $97 billion and $101.5 billion to DOE and EPA, respectively.”

“Spending large amounts of funding, particularly in short timeframes carries significant risk. As noted in a November 2024 report by the DOE Office of the Inspector General (OIG), the IIJA, IRA, and 2023 Omnibus Appropriations law increased the DOE Loan Program Office’s authority to nearly half a trillion dollars – 23 times that of the program’s balance when the IIJA was signed into law.”

“Concerns grew as the Biden Administration rushed to finalize loans and spend down grant funding. All three watchdog organizations present today, the EPA OIG, DOE OIG, and the Government Accountability Office (GAO), reported on past shortcomings within these agencies and risk factors for waste, fraud, and abuse. These risks increased under past funding infusions.”

“Unfortunately, history seems to repeat itself, but we have a chance to minimize the damage. The rapid pace and volume with which this funding was awarded raises questions about whether appropriate due diligence was done to ensure eligibility and correct use of funds.”

“We thank our witnesses for their expertise to guide and inform the Committee’s efforts to identify potential misuse of federal funds and ensure future misuse prevention. This hearing is one of many steps to curb wasteful spending, and we hope to continue our collaboration with the OIGs, GAO, and the current administration to address this issue.”

“I now recognize the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Ms. Clarke, for her opening statement.”

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