House Oversight Committee Chairman Rep. James Comer (R-KY) and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) have launched a joint inquiry into questionable federal government spending after a Department of Defense (DoD) audit revealed billions in unmonitored credit card transactions, some of which were made at casinos, nightclubs, cruise lines, and other high-risk vendors.
In a letter sent Friday to U.S. Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, Comer and Ernst requested detailed information about the oversight and use of government-issued credit cards across federal agencies.
The letter cited a Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) audit which identified a staggering 4.6 million active federal charge cards and accounts.
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During the last fiscal year alone, these accounts were used to spend a total of $40 billion.
Comer and Ernst expressed concern over what they say is a lack of modern oversight tools in government agencies to detect or prevent wasteful or fraudulent purchases.
According to the letter, DoD officials responsible for monitoring these purchases were unable to provide clear examples of how they tracked spending or flagged misuse.
“This lack of oversight is further underscored by a recent DoD Office of Inspector General (OIG) report, which found 7,805 transactions at known high-risk merchants, including casino ATMs and mobile application stores,” the letter stated.
“The report also found 3,246 purchases made at ‘Bars, Lounges, Discos, Nightclubs, and Taverns-Alcoholic Drinks merchants’ during holidays or major sporting events. We are skeptical these charges were for legitimate purposes or in service of the DoD’s mission for which the cards were issued.”
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Beyond the transactions flagged by the OIG, Comer and Ernst are now requesting a comprehensive accounting of government credit card charges linked to:
- Cruise lines
- Lottery ticket purchases
- Wigs and toupees
- Weight loss programs
- Jewelry
- Horoscopes and fortune telling
- Boats and campers
- Golf and country club memberships
- Amusement parks
- Bail bond services
While the lawmakers acknowledged that certain expenses—like bail bonds—may have some justification in specific law enforcement scenarios, they raised concerns that federal credit cards are increasingly being misused for personal or entertainment expenses at taxpayer expense.
✉️ Read the letter: pic.twitter.com/4SWR9p8gHx
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) May 19, 2025
The ongoing review follows growing scrutiny of federal spending practices as lawmakers push for greater accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.
Comer and Ernst are requesting that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) work together to produce a detailed report on agency credit card usage, internal controls, and any disciplinary actions taken when misuse is identified.
They are also seeking information on whether departments and agencies have implemented fraud detection tools or auditing mechanisms in line with private sector best practices.
Comer, who has led multiple investigations into federal agency conduct, has emphasized the need to restore public trust in the government’s stewardship of taxpayer money.
In a statement accompanying the letter, Comer said, “Hardworking Americans deserve to know that their tax dollars are not being wasted on luxury purchases or personal entertainment by bureaucrats.”
The House Oversight Committee is expected to hold hearings on the matter later this year.
Both Comer and Ernst indicated that additional subpoenas may be issued if agencies fail to comply with information requests.
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Isn’t it “Odd” that this has gone on during the Democrat Rule and NO ONE SAID A WORD? Maybe because most of these employees ARE Democrats. Disgusting party
Pissing tax money away is a Democ rat 🐀 fascist bastards tradition
If you don’t think this has been going on for decades, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. Those who have done this cross political party lines. This is theft. The employees who have done this ought to be prosecuted, and the managers who failed to identify the theft need to be investigated for conspiring to allow the theft to happen.
I tend to agree with you, both sides of the isle more than likely have had their hand in the till for a long time. Democrats and Republicans get comfortable sucking on the tit of government, which we now see does not do oversight or these charges would not have happened. It seems that there should be enough evidence to find out who’s charges were used and at the very least termination of the employee should happen. We’ll just see what happens.
Meanwhile, I am in my mid-50s, have connective tissue disease, fell behind on taxes (complicated, not deliberate) and owe about $6,000. Can’t and have not worked for a year, about to get evicted. That is a death sentence for me – I type this knowing in a month I may well just have to ‘close the book.’ I was a boy scout, served in military… did what I was supposed to. I detest the corrupt demons in our government but NOTHING will happen – this is all a show. Trump is maybe a decent guy, but he is battling forces far darker than he thinks. They p i s s on us, steal our money and leave some of us destitute… without federal taxes, my life would be very different. I’ll be gone and it will mean zero…
You sir,
Being a Veteran, deep dowm inside you know you cannot quit. I also have been and possibly will be again in the same circumstances you are currently experiencing. When I feel despair and overwhelmed, I think of this little saying :It is always darkest before dawn. Hang in there brother, God is with you always.
Contact your va and they will get help you get in touch with different organizations
If you close the book THEY win.
It’s always darkest before the dawn, Brother.
Keep the faith! I know it’s hard to do and easier to say but I believe in Jesus.
And He believes in you. I’d give you my address and you could come here.
Ok sports fanS DOJ must clawback all of these funds and really hold whoever wasted our hard earned money accountable to the most severe punishment under the law. — jail for a long time — set an example !!!
Democrats are pure evil…..morally depraved rabid animals!
DOESN’T SURPRISE ME…..THAT THEY HAVE FOUND THIS CRAP GOING ON UNDER JOE BIDEN AND ALL OF HIS WORTHLESS CRONIES. !!!! HOPE THE INVESTIGATIONS…..BRINGS IT ALL TO THE SURFACE AND SUPOENA’S WILL BE SUBMITTED TO THOSE STINKING DEMOCRATS…..THAT ABUSED THOSE CREDIT CARDS FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL GAINS OR ENJOYMENT…..WITH TAXPAYERS MONEY……….FIND THE CREEPS THAT ARE CORRUPT AND USED THOSE CARDS….WRONGLY. !!! THEN PUSH THEM RIGHT INTO JAIL….CRIMINALS ARE WHAT THEY ARE……THEY KNEW THE RIGHT WAY TO HANDLE GOVERNMENT CREDIT CARDS….BUT – USED THEM WRONGLY AND DIDN’T EVEN CARE……….THE SCUMS……..HOPE THEY ROUND THOSE INDIVIDAUL ALL UP AND PROSECUTE THEM TO THE FULLEST. ! ! ! ! ! !
THE DEMOCRATS ARE SO CORRUPT……SO DISGUSTING AND DISGRACEFUL WITH AND HOW THEY DO THINGS…… OUR COUNTRY AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE SUFFERED SO MUCH FROM THE FILTHY AND EVIL DEMOCRATS.!
I HOPE INVESTIGATIONS CONTINUE IN ALL ASPECTS OF WHAT THE JOE STINKING BIDEN ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE OVER HIS FOUR YEAR MISERABLE TERM……HOPE THEY GET ALL THE SCUM DEMOCRAT INDIVIDUALS, WHO HAVE BROKEN THE LAW………..PUT THEM BEHIND BARS. ! ! ! !
That is why so many up in arms with someone looking at the spending.
Why is this so difficult for congress to manage? I’m sick of their npeverending investigations. They’re the reason this shit has gone on for so long. NO requirement for accountability. Easily solved, shut off the cards, pay off the debt, all while the grifters are being required to pay back all that was stolen AND/OR are relieved of duty. What is so hard about that?
How can this happen? Is there no manager oversight of the federal employee? Of course there isnt! All mangers do is work on their kiss assing, resumes and playing musical chairs in their quest for a higher grade and pay. They all voted for Harris.