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Rep. Blake Farenthold, (R-Texas), on the investigation into the GSA’s wasteful spending.
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Congressman -- -- hold a member of that house oversight and Government Reform Committee.
-- -- joins us here.
Congressman great to have you with us and -- -- a stunning picture.
Not particularly surprising that he would take the fifth what is surprising -- he's still on the government payroll given the of the outcry from all of you on congress.
And the and the statements of the administration.
That its appalled at the conduct.
Why is that -- still on the -- They're all sorts of due process rules assist.
-- with terminating.
Folks from government employment.
And I think that's something that's gonna come out of this is we're gonna look at those.
And find a way to get rid of judging by the pictures he knows how to spend his free time.
Well.
To what degree if I mean this.
You know this administer this administration this congress approved the budget of GSA.
Is it possible that other officials are we and be.
-- -- members of your committee.
Did know what the world was going on with.
-- GSA.
-- -- that's the big question in chairman I -- send out letters to 23 agencies about their.
Travel in conventions so we're gonna get to bottom of this but the real question is do we have a unique incidents here or are we developing any.
Culture within the government that -- its other people's money let's spend it like there's no tomorrow if that's the case.
That's really bad I'm concerned about the overall lack of common sense that showing up in the GSA deal.
And with the Secret Service agents.
We'll common sense I suppose would have to be inculcated in any organization that would be gone we Begin with the leadership I'm referring relate to congress' Wallace the president.
The values that are being inculcated by those -- -- branches -- government I don't think most people would immediately say it's about common sense.
But we're working hard in congress especially on financial matters we cut our own budget first we're very careful about what we -- and consider.
The tax payers money sacred.
We're we're fighting over how to spend it and how not to spend it and then you see all this wasteful.
But spending going on in the GSA and you just want -- bang your head up against the wall and say how do you get the message.
To people and I really do hope that this is of a rogue event.
But I tell you if you're -- government employee and you see this happening.
You have a responsibility of the taxpayers do reported peers appear to reported to the government oversight reform committee has a button on our website for whistle blowers.
There are a button for whistle -- I'm wondering if there is about for people through our take note of the best led best run most effective them.
Most highly productive government agency.
Is essential place.
-- on our web site anywhere in government that you are aware of how.
Odd I don't think there is but I -- and that's gonna go and an email determine nice city get on the web -- -- I think.
We need to recognize that success.
As well unfortunately success doesn't generate headlines -- the scandals and got a bunch of good hard working government employees I've dealt with them.
But it only takes one bad apple and.
Well one bad apple GSA apparently had quite a few bad apples.
And apparently the secret services got a few which is frankly I find stopping because the Secret Service throughout Mike were -- -- traveled with Secret Service work for them.
Have been exemplary as government.
His government servants and stood in the class frankly -- themselves.
But what we are hearing now on these charges and allegations.
-- in -- -- Colombia.
This is this is dispiriting to say the least your thoughts.
And again a complete failure of common sense and is generating a real fear that we've got a culture developing.
Within this government.
Just.
It's all about me and that's not the case these Secret Service agents had been no better anybody who's watched a simple spy movie on TV knows.
You bring in women to seduce the agents -- plant the bugs get compromising pictures in no universe was this a good idea.
-- I think -- it's fair to say there was a time and maybe I'm being entirely too idealistic.
I do believe there was a time within the Secret Service and which.
This kind of conduct -- occurred for no other reason than the fact that you would know as an agent.
That your fellow agents would not tolerate that kind of conduct from with within the ranks.
And -- -- and see attitude we -- in government.
Congressman it's great to have -- thank you so much what we're not pleasure.
