Op-Ed
Biden misleads Americans in his criticism of Trump’s coronavirus response | Opinion
The May 3 online op-ed by Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren, “There’s no oversight of coronavirus relief — because that’s what Trump wants,” was a concerted effort to mislead Floridians, misrepresenting the legislation as well as President Trump’s strong leadership in responding to COVID-19.
While it makes sense that Biden is desperately trying to stir up controversy in the president’s home state, his efforts to do so cannot come at the expense of the truth. The CARES Act provides meaningful coronavirus aid and was secured by Trump and Republicans in Congress, despite cynical, partisan obstruction from Biden and Hose Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s Democrats that delayed Floridians getting the aid they desperately needed. Despite Biden’s contention, the CARES Act does contain robust oversight measures that ensure its funds are spent prudently and effectively.
Thanks to Republican leadership in the Senate and the Trump administration, funding and provisions were included in the CARES Act for several agencies to audit and conduct oversight of funding provided by the legislation. The Department of Labor Inspector General’s office received $25 million to conduct oversight. This funding authorizes the office to carry out audits, investigation, and appropriate oversight of implementation of the CARES Act.
The legislation also provides for an entirely new office within the Department of the Treasury specifically dedicated to keeping Congress apprised of every CARES Act expenditure within the department. The Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery will deliver quarterly reports to Congress regarding the details of every loan and investment made by the Treasury Secretary under the CARES Act. In other words, there will be a new position of government tasked exclusively with keeping lawmakers apprised of where every dollar of CARES Act money goes. This is transparent, strong and comprehensive oversight.
The CARES Act includes further oversight measures designed to act as fail-safes and guardrails to ensure smart, and targeted relief. Trump and Republican leaders not only understand the necessity of this life-saving aid, but also the importance of managing your tax dollars with prudence and respect.
That’s why the CARES Act also includes the creation of a new Congressional Oversight Commission, charged with overseeing its implementation by the Treasury and Federal Reserve. This commission is bipartisan, which is crucial. It includes two members appointed by Speaker Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, both Democrats, and two members chosen by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, who are Republicans. The fifth member will be appointed by Pelosi and McConnell together. This represents clear and unprecedented bipartisanship in administering this crucial coronavirus aid.
The $25 million for the Department of Labor to conduct oversight, an entirely new office in the Treasury Department, a bipartisan commission — these are all transparent, responsible provisions for oversight. In addition, there are new directives from Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin for the Small Business Administration to conduct a full review of any loan over $2 million. This will collaborative oversight will further ensure prudent expenditure of CARES Act money.
It’s not surprising that Biden made little mention of these measures. These facts would undercut his dishonest attempts to mislead Floridians about the CARES Act, part of his pattern of misleading Americans on Trump’s coronavirus response.
The truth is that while Biden tries to politicize a crisis, the president has delivered aid and clarity for Florida and America.
Joe Gruters is chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.
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