Hold onto your wallets, folks—Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) just dropped a bombshell about a staggering $93 billion in taxpayer-funded loans rushed out the door by the Department of Energy in a mere 76 days.
According to Breitbart, during a heated Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on Wednesday, Kennedy grilled U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright over an eyebrow-raising spree of loans and commitments made between President Donald Trump’s election and former President Joe Biden’s exit from office.
“And during that short period of time, 76 days, how much taxpayer money went out the door?” Kennedy pressed. Well, Wright’s answer didn’t exactly inspire confidence: a jaw-dropping $93 billion, more than double what the department shelled out over the previous 15 years combined. If that doesn’t scream “fire sale,” what does?
Now, let’s break this down—76 days is barely enough time to binge a Netflix series, let alone vet billions in loans. Yet, according to Wright, the Department of Energy’s loan program office pushed through commitments at a breakneck pace. It’s almost as if they thought due diligence was just a fancy suggestion.
Kennedy wasn’t buying the rush job, asking, “How do you vet a loan in 76 days?” It’s a fair question when some recipients didn’t even bother submitting a business plan or financial data. Call it a taxpayer-funded leap of faith, but most of us prefer a parachute.
Wright admitted, “There are lots of funds that have gone out the door from businesses that provided no business plan.” That’s right—zero numbers, zero accountability. If your local bank operated this way, it’d be shuttered by noon.
Kennedy doubled down, incredulous: “So you’re telling me the Department of Energy gave money to entities that had no business plan?” It’s not just poor judgment; it’s a slap in the face to hardworking Americans footing the bill. Twitchy reported on Friday that taxpayers are bearing a heavy load for these questionable decisions.
Wright expressed his dismay, stating, “I’ve come in with great concern about how this institution has been run.” That’s an understatement when billions are handed out like candy on Halloween. Where’s the oversight when we need it?
Adding to the frustration, this isn’t an isolated incident under Biden’s watch. Back in 2023, the administration funneled billions to Ford and its partner for electric vehicle battery plants, all in the name of green energy initiatives. Admirable goals aside, shouldn’t the process at least pretend to prioritize fiscal responsibility?
Sen. Kennedy also tipped his hat to the Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, for digging into government waste and fraud. “Musk is doing what the American people have wanted for years,” Kennedy noted. It’s about time someone turned over the rocks in Washington’s swampy backyard.
Still, Kennedy couldn’t resist a jab: “In Washington, common sense is illegal.” It’s a witty quip, but one that stings with truth when taxpayers are left holding the bag for $93 billion in rushed commitments. Turns out, haste makes waste—literally. Social media users aren’t mincing words either, with one declaring, “Democrats are thieves!” While the language is sharp, the frustration is palpable among those tired of seeing their hard-earned dollars mishandled. It’s a sentiment many conservatives share, even if cooler heads must prevail in seeking solutions.
Another user chimed in, “This horrible corruption needs aggressive investigation.” It’s hard to disagree when the numbers speak for themselves—$93 billion in 76 days is a red flag even in the most generous light. The call for scrutiny isn’t partisan; it’s practical.
What’s clear is that the American public deserves transparency on how their money is spent, especially when it’s rushed out under questionable circumstances. The Department of Energy’s actions during this narrow window raise serious doubts about stewardship and accountability. If this isn’t a wake-up call for reform, what is?
At the end of the day, conservatives and moderates alike can agree on one thing: government waste isn’t a game. Let’s hope this hearing sparks the kind of change that puts taxpayer interests first, not last. After all, actions have consequences—and $93 billion worth of them should keep us all wide awake.
