The Biden administration’s State Department has allocated over $1 million in taxpayer money for renovating swimming pools at U.S. embassies and residences located in countries like Haiti, Sudan, and Iraq, which are facing significant turmoil.
Senator Joni Ernst from Iowa expressed her discontent with this decision, stating, “The Biden State Department hosted a summer pool party at the taxpayers’ expense.” She criticized what she sees as wasteful spending and emphasized her commitment to working alongside the Trump administration to rein in such expenditures.
Ernst’s office has reported that the Biden State Department approved funds totaling over $1.2 million specifically for these projects, highlighted by pools in Haiti, Iraq, Sudan, Russia, and Ghana. The renovation details were first shared by the New York Post.
For instance, the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad received a notable $444,000 to upgrade its indoor dehumidification system tied to its pool facilities. Just three months following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, $41,259 was spent on the U.S. embassy’s pool in Moscow. This expense might seem out of place given the ongoing conflict.
In Sudan, $24,000 was used in 2021 for installing pool decks, even as the country presents a challenging environment for the State Department due to ongoing violence and instability.
Interestingly, some of these contracts remain unpaid, including an award of $173,000 for renovations at the Indonesian embassy pool in Jakarta. Previous scrutiny over embassy expenses, particularly during the Obama administration, points to a history of significant taxpayer spending on various programs, including art at embassies.
Currently, the federal government is facing criticism regarding its spending habits, as reports highlight that billions could be saved amidst investigations concerning potential mismanagement and overspending. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is actively working to streamline the operations within the State Department, having closed USAID because it was deemed ineffective in serving American interests.
Ernst’s findings raise broader questions about the efficacy and priorities of government spending in tumultuous regions, as she and others aim to shift focus back to domestic concerns and a strategic use of funds.
