Categories: US Politics

Biden administration spent over $1 million on swimming pool upgrades in war-torn countries, analysis shows

Taxpayer dollars went for a dip overseas.

The Biden administration’s State Department approved more than $1.2 million to help upgrade swimming pools in war-torn and poverty-stricken countries, a new analysis found.

During the 46th president’s term, the feds placed at least 14 orders related to swimming pools at embassies or mission residences in seven countries, including Russia — after its brutal invasion of Ukraine began, according to an analysis from Sen. Joni Ernst’s (R-Iowa) office.

“Bureaucrats might think wasting millions is a drop in the bucket, but I am sick and tired of taxpayers getting tossed in the deep end by Washington,” Ernst told The Post.

The US Embassy in Baghdad spent six figures on upgrades to its lavish indoor pool. (REUTERS)

“I will continue working with the Trump administration to put a stop to the splashy spending of the Biden years.”

Most of the orders appear to be for upgrades to pools rather than installations of brand new ones, despite some of the costs running into six figures.

In Zimbabwe, for example, the State Department approved an upgrade to US mission residences in Harare to include pool covers — costing more than $130,000, according to USASpending.gov, which Ernst’s team used to compile the data.

Sen. Joni Ernst blasted the spending as a waste of taxpayer dollars. (Getty Images)

Meanwhile, Uncle Sam spent some $40,000 in 2022 for a “swimming pool sewer pump replacement” in its Moscow Embassy. Records indicate that the contract was issued almost three months after Russia’s bloody onslaught against Ukraine began that February.

In Iraq, officials billed taxpayers for a roughly $444,000 upgrade to the indoor dehumidification system in the lavish Baghdad Embassy — a facility that had cost over $750 million.

In all, the analysis found that there were two upgrades for pools in Haiti, one in Russia, five in Iraq, three in Sudan, one in Zimbabwe, one in Ghana and one in Indonesia.

Some of the contracts flagged have not been fully paid. For example, a $173,000 contract awarded for a “prapatan swimming pool project” has not been paid out, according to USASpending.gov records.

The pool spending report comes as Ernst, who leads the Senate DOGE Caucus, has been probing the vast federal government for waste and bloat.

Bob Mery

Bob Mery is a seasoned political cartoon artist, writer, and columnist known for blending sharp journalism with compelling visual storytelling. Since launching his career in 1993, Bob has used the power of cartoons to simplify and spotlight complex political moments, offering readers a unique lens into the world of government, society, and current events. His body of work spans major historical milestones including the 9/11 attacks, Covid-19 pandemic, and numerous U.S. political eras. Through his satirical illustrations and insightful commentary, Bob has earned a reputation for turning headlines into thought-provoking art.

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