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Diaz-Balart Bill Would Force Campaign Consultants to Return Stimulus Funds

December 16, 2009

For Immediate Release

WASHINGTON, DC- Today Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL) introduced a bill that would prevent political consultants or paid campaign staff from receiving funds from the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The bill also requires that political consultants or paid campaign staff who have already received such funds return them with interest.

“The stated purpose of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act was to stimulate the nation’s ailing economy. However, it is clear that the stimulus has been nothing more than a dismal failure and a shameful scam used to create expensive websites, distribute funds to non-existing congressional districts, and reward political consultants. As recent news reports have shown, stimulus funds have been funneled down to individuals and firms who engaged in campaign-related work during the previous campaign cycle. It is shameful that the Obama Administration, who claimed to stand for change, openness and transparency, is rewarding its political friends with taxpayer money while the American people continue to lose their jobs and struggle to make ends meet,” said Diaz-Balart.