In a recent appearance on CNN, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) took a controversial stance that has raised eyebrows among those who prioritize fiscal responsibility.
Coons was questioned about the Trump Administration's initiative to shutter USAID, an agency that has come under scrutiny for its alleged financial mismanagement. The Department of Government Oversight and Ethics (DOGE) has highlighted billions in wasteful spending, with some revelations being particularly shocking.
According to Gateway Pundit, one of the more startling claims involves USAID's allocation of $5 billion in 2014 to incite unrest in Ukraine, as alleged by RFK Jr. In light of such allegations, one might expect a Democrat to criticize Trump for his approach to curbing government excess. However, Coons chose to defend a specific expenditure that many would find indefensible. During an interview with host Michael Smerconish, Coons was asked to justify the use of $20 million in taxpayer funds for the production of Sesame Street in Iraq. Smerconish inquired, "Is funding Sesame Street (in Iraq) a judicious use of soft power?"
Rather than sidestepping the question, Coons offered a robust defense of the expenditure. "This isnt just funding a kids show for children, millions of children in countries like Iraq," Coons asserted. He elaborated that the program "helps teach values, helps teach public health, helps prevent kids from dying from dysentery and disease, and helps push values like collaboration, peacefulness, cooperation in a society where the alternative is ISIS extremism and terrorism."
The notion of investing in publicly funded television abroad, especially in a region heavily influenced by Iran, raises significant concerns. Coons further attempted to downplay the expenditure by comparing it to the broader federal budget. "Its pennies on the dollar," he argued. "The Department of Defense has an annual budget of $850 billion. USAID was spending about $30 billion."
Coons invoked President Joe Biden's perspective, labeling the spending as "smart power." He stated, "Its a small proportion of our overall federal spending. And as Joe and I would often say, its not just soft power, its smart power."
The defense of such spending, particularly when juxtaposed against the backdrop of broader federal waste, remains contentious. Critics argue that neither Biden's policies nor the financial practices of agencies like USAID reflect prudent governance. Coons' remarks, however, suggest a disconnect from these fiscal realities.
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