[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 99 (Thursday, June 14, 2018)]
[House]
[Page H5162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        WE NEED A FISCAL CONSERVATIVE IN CHARGE OF THE PENTAGON

  (Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee asked and was given permission to address 
the House for 1 minute.)
  Mr. DUNCAN of Tennessee. Mr. Speaker, I know that one of the easiest 
things in this world to do is to spend other people's money; and for at 
least 50 years or more, we have been reading and hearing about 
unbelievable waste by the Pentagon and excessive charges by defense 
contractors who hire so many retired admirals and generals.
  But in today's American Conservative magazine, there is an article 
about Air Force spending that really takes the cake. The article is 
entitled: ``Why Do Air Force Planes Need $10,000 Toilet Seat Covers?'' 
The story is by Dan Grazier, a former Marine captain. He wrote the 
following:
  ``. . . a Department of Defense contractor told the Air Force that 
each new toilet seat cover for the C-17 cargo plane will cost $10,000. 
Will Roper, the Air Force's Chief Acquisition official, rather than 
pooh-poohing the cost, defended it by claiming the company would have 
to switch production from other products to make a limited number of 
toilet covers, thus driving up the expense.''
  It is unpatriotic, Mr. Speaker, for any Federal department, but 
especially the Defense Department, to spend taxpayers' money so 
recklessly. I wish someday--someday--we could get a fiscal conservative 
in charge at the Pentagon.

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