Senator Johnson Co-Sponsors Bill for Transparency & Accountability
U.S Senator Ron Johnson (R-Oshkosh) is co-sponsoring a bill to require federal investigations into companies that go bankrupt after getting renewable energy funds. The Wisconsin lawmaker is teaming up with fellow Republican David Vitter of Louisiana – who’s critical of White House loan guarantees given to Solyndra Incorporated of Fremont California. Critics said the White House rushed the approval without enough oversight. The company filed for Chapter-11 bankruptcy earlier this month, and laid off all of its 11-hundred employees. In announcing the bill, Johnson and Vitter said quote, “We can’t afford any more crony capitalism where the federal government picks winners-and-losers, and then leaves taxpayers on the hook when everything falls apart.” But the Associated Press said Vitter tried seven times since 2009 to get money for his state from the same program he’s now criticizing. Vitter said he has always pushed for renewable energy as part of a comprehensive energy policy. But quote, “In the age of Solyndra, we need full transparency and accountability.” The Vitter-and-Johnson bill would also require federal agencies to conduct full audits of all renewable energy projects that received federal tax money since 2009. The audits would determine how many jobs were created by the funding – and any company that fails to meet the required objectives would go under an inspector general’s investigation.
