The Hill News

Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) recently asked "Why are taxpayers paying for wine tasting?" taking aim at the Economic Development Administration (EDA), a Department of Commerce agency that stands to gain funding from pending legislation that even the White House calls too expensive. We agree with Senator DeMint's criticisms of the panoply of federal economic development programs, but we find his call to shut down EDA akin to treating a severed arm with gauze pads - a small step when more significant action is needed to stop the bleeding. A far more meaningful solution would be for the federal government to fundamentally restructure and consolidate the various economic and community development programs, which is exactly what President George W. Bush tried to do six years ago before being blocked by both Democrats and Republicans in Congress.

In truth, EDA is merely one of many redundant federal agencies that could actually accomplish something meaningful if lawm! akers had the courage to merge them under a single authority, cut overhead, and put accountability measures in place.

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