Brand WASTE

The federal government’s latest taxpayer-funded effort to promote U.S. tourism is dogged by lavish spending, cronyism, and questionable accounting, according to a report released Thursday by two U.S. Senators.

The report, issued by Sens. Jim DeMint (R., S.C.) and Tom Coburn (R., Okla.), details questionable practices by Brand USA, a public-private corporation established in 2010 by Congress to promote U.S. tourism.

“It is immoral to ask the federal government to shell out $100 million every year to pay for high ranking executives to enjoy parties in London and luxury suites at major league baseball games in the name of ‘travel promotion,’” Coburn said in a statement. “With millions out of work and our national debt surpassing $16 trillion, this is the kind of indulgence we need to say no to.”

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