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Sen. Cramer Blasts Defense Inspector General on Fishing Expedition, Biden Administration on Crisis at the Southern Border

Source: United States Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)

BISMARCK – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Defense Inspector General report auditing the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Border Infrastructure Contract:

 

“I have always been guided by the principle of following the rule of law. This situation is no different as proven and dismissed by the Inspector General numerous times throughout the report. This complete and total exoneration is a long time coming from this worthless, partisan fishing expedition. House Democrats wasted taxpayer time and money while the Biden Administration is actively ignoring a crisis of their own doing at the Southern border.”

 

Earlier this month, Senator Cramer visited the U.S. – Mexico border in McAllen, Texas, to observe the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) operations along the southwest border.

 

In December 2019, Senator Cramer concluded a review of the USACE procurement process. He detailed four key findings:
  1. The USACE’s procurement process fails to foster competition, particularly when it comes to price and schedule.
  2. The USACE set up a procurement process that disfavors new entrants and innovators.
  3. DHS has abdicated authority for the border wall to the USACE, creating a situation in which those who patrol the wall have little say in its speed and manner of construction.
  4. The USACE failed to meet the most basic standards of good faith cooperation in satisfying the Senator’s requests for information. The Administration must continue to work to drain the swamp and ensure our country is not run by unelected bureaucrats who, empowered by the media, obstruct the President’s agenda.

 

With each point in his findings, Senator Cramer included detailed examples of his findings and recommendations for how to improve the process.

 

Click here to read the full letter.

 

As a member of SASC and EPW, committees which both have jurisdiction over the USACE, Senator Cramer exercises the authority to conduct oversight.