Khazen

The National Institutes of Health spent $170,000 over three years researching the hookah smoking habits of Jordanians.

The National Institutes of Health spent $170,000 over three years researching the hookah smoking habits of Jordanians.

 

The government wasted $115.3 billion in improper payments, paying money either to the wrong person, in the wrong amount, or for the wrong reason.

The government wasted $115.3 billion in improper payments, paying money  either to the wrong person, in the wrong amount, or for the wrong reason.

William Thomas Cain/Getty Images

Source: Heritage Foundation

Amtrak lost $84.5 million having food and beverage services, a total of $833.8 million in 10 years. It has never broken a profit on serving food.

Amtrak lost $84.5 million having food and beverage services, a total of $833.8 million in 10 years. It has never broken a profit on serving food.

AP

Source: Heritage Foundation

The Conservation Reserve Program of the Department of Agriculture pays farmers $2.1 billion every year not to farm in order to reduce soil erosion.

The State Department’s Diplomatic Culinary Partnership program pays for 80 chefs to prepare food for visiting officials and engage in American "culinary diplomacy."

The State Department's Diplomatic Culinary Partnership program pays for 80 chefs to prepare food for visiting officials and engage in American "culinary diplomacy."

Flickr via edinthekitchen

Source: Heritage Foundation

The Department of Agriculture spent $2 million on an intern program for the Office of the Chief Information officer. One intern was hired.

The Department of Agriculture spent $2 million on an intern program for the Office of the Chief Information officer. One intern was hired.

UGA College of Ag/Flickr

Source: Heritage Foundation

The government spent $1.7 billion maintaining 77,700 unused buildings.

The government spent $1.7 billion maintaining 77,700 unused buildings.

Fairview Park

Source: Heritage Foundation

The Rural Business Enterprise Program gave a dairy farm $55,660 to package its butter in smaller containers.

The Rural Business Enterprise Program gave a dairy farm $55,660 to package its butter in smaller containers.

BI

Source: Heritage Foundation

The Government Accountability Office found 34 areas where federal agencies have overlapping goals or duplicative services, costing billions annually

There are 80 economic development programs operating out of four different agencies alone. Many of these programs have overlapping or competing missions

There are 80 economic development programs operating out of four different agencies alone. Many of these programs have overlapping or competing missions

Wayne National Forest / flickr

Source: Heritage Foundation

Within the Department of Transportation are over 100 economic development programs in five agencies in the Department of Transportation alone

Within the Department of Transportation are over 100 economic development programs in five agencies in the Department of Transportation alone

Wikimedia Commons

Source: Heritage Foundation

Seven different agencies have more than 20 different programs addressing homelessness

Seven different agencies have more than 20 different programs addressing homelessness

Robert Johnson — Business Insider

Source: Heritage Foundation

There are 44 different employment and training programs, run variously through the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development

There are 44 different employment and training programs, run variously through the Departments of Education, Health and Human Services and Housing and Urban Development

State-funded on the job training can make "a big difference," Clinton writes.

AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall

Source: Heritage Foundation

… and there are 82 programs on teacher quality between the Departments of Defense, Education, Energy ans well as NASA and the National Science Foundation.

The Department of Justice spent $121 million hosting or participating in 1,832 conferences in one year.

The Department of Justice spent $121 million hosting or participating in 1,832 conferences in one year.

INTERPOL Conference

Stanley Chou/Getty

Source: Heritage Foundation

Beef Wellington made the hors d’oeuvres menu at one, costing $7.32 per serving

The most expensive DOJ conference was in Istanbul and cost $1.18 million.

The General Services Administration, which manages federal buildings, held a $822,751 conference in Vegas to the tune of $2,500 per employee

The Department of Veterans Affairs spent $6.1 million on two training conferences in Orlando, with $50,000 going to a video boosting Human Resources

The Department of Veterans Affairs spent $6.1 million on two training conferences in Orlando, with $50,000 going to a video boosting Human Resources

YouTube

Source: Heritage Foundation

Fifteen different federal agencies are overseeing 30 food safety laws

The Navy bought 450,000 gallons of biofuel at $27 per gallon

The IRS stores unused furniture at a warehouse for $862,000 annually.

The Department of Energy cannot locate $500,000 worth of green energy manufacturing equipment

The Department of Energy cannot locate $500,000 worth of green energy manufacturing equipment

oregondot via Flickr

Source: Heritage Foundation

The Bureau of Indian Affairs funded a fish hatchery that did not hatch a single fish for fourteen years.

The Bureau of Indian Affairs funded a fish hatchery that did not hatch a single fish for fourteen years.

Wikimedia Commons

Source: Heritage Foundation

After encouraging Americans to do a "Meatless Monday" for health purposes, the Department of Agriculture later purchased $170 million worth of meat from drought-stricken farmers.

After encouraging Americans to do a "Meatless Monday" for health purposes, the Department of Agriculture later purchased $170 million worth of meat from drought-stricken farmers.

Justin Sullivan / Getty Images

Source: Heritage Foundation

The Department of Labor spent $495,000 on commercials promoting an initiative for green jobs

The Department of Labor spent $495,000 on commercials promoting an initiative for green jobs

The White House

Source: Heritage Foundation

The Department of Veterans Affairs spent $221,540 on an 11 day conference at a resort.

The Departments of Agriculture and Energy gave a $76 million grant for a wood-to-ethanol plant. It closed within a year without producing any ethanol.

The Departments of Agriculture and Energy gave a $76 million grant for a wood-to-ethanol plant. It closed within a year without producing any ethanol.

Wood chips are used as a source for cellulosic ethanol production at Range Fuels in Broomfield, Colo.

Wikimedia Commons

Source: Heritage Foundation

A $25,000 grant was used to translate a Maldivian love ballad

A $25,000 grant was used to translate a Maldivian love ballad

Maldivian dancers

Getty Images

Source: Heritage Foundation

The National Institutes of Health spent $170,000 over three years researching the hookah smoking habits of Jordanians.

The National Institutes of Health spent $170,000 over three years researching the hookah smoking habits of Jordanians.

Christopher Furlong / Getty

Source: Heritage Foundation

The Department of Agriculture spends $200 million annually advertising U.S. food in other countries…

…they recently funded an Indian reality show that advertised U.S. cotton.

...they recently funded an Indian reality show that advertised U.S. cotton.

"Dance India Dance," a reality television show

Youtube

Source: Heritage Foundation

The EPA spent $141,450 funding a Chinese study on swine manure.

The EPA spent $141,450 funding a Chinese study on swine manure.

A pigsty in Yunnan Province.

Wikimedia Commons

Source: Heritage Foundation

The EPA also gave the United Nations $1.2 million to promote clean fuel

The EPA also gave the United Nations $1.2 million to promote clean fuel

Wikimedia Commons

Source: Heritage Foundation

The Government Accountability office found that people who double-dip from unemployment insurance and disability benefits cost the U.S. $850 million annually.

The top 20 percent of farm subsidy recipients received 80 percent of all premium subsidies.

The top 20 percent of farm subsidy recipients received 80 percent of all premium subsidies.

White House via Flickr

Source: Heritage Foundation

26 farm businesses each collected more than $1 million in subsidies.

The government lost $528 million on an investment in Solyndra…

The government lost $528 million on an investment in Solyndra...

AP

Source: Heritage Foundation

…$46.5 million on Beacon Power…

…and $73.1 million on Abound Solar.

...and $73.1 million on Abound Solar.

Solon Corp.

Source: Heritage Foundation

Among individuals making $1 million or more annually, 2,362 received unemployment benefits in 2009.

Now here’s what’s actually getting cut….

Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/easy-wasteful-budget-cuts-federal-government-2013-2?op=1#ixzz2Lr6vW4rS