Haridopolos Blasts Lack of Transparency in Justice40 Initiative

Representative Mike Haridopolos (R-FL) criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the Justice40 Initiative in a recent House Science, Space, and Technology Committee hearing, describing it as "eye-opening, and unfortunately not in a positive way."

The Justice40 Initiative, implemented by the Biden Administration, is a program that requires 40% of the benefits from federal climate programs to be allocated to lower-income and minority communities.

However, the Thursday hearing suggested that the program lacks oversight and accountability.

"As a new member of Congress, what has really been eye-opening to me, and unfortunately not in a positive way," Rep. Haridopolos began, "has been the absolute lack of transparency when we actually go out and spend money," referencing Florida's website which publicly displays how state-level funds are spent, which inspired his recent LEDGER Act.

Rep. Haridopolos then asked witness, Dr. Ashley Nunes, about his biggest concern regarding Justice40 and to expand on the apparent lack of accountability within it.

Dr. Nunes replied that "elements of this program force on the American people solutions that do not necessarily deliver the benefits that we hear about" and that costs are never mentioned.

The Florida Congressman then turned to Donna Jackson, Senior Policy Analyst at the Committee for a Constructive Tomorrow (CFACT), for her take.

Jackson answered, "I talk to people in minority communities every day, these communities that actually meet [Justice40] criteria. None of them are asking for solar panels. None of them are asking for electric vehicles. None of them are asking for EV charging stations. They want lower cost-of-living expenses. And every time you spend money on these kinds of initiatives, it increases the cost of everything that we have."

Moreover, Jackson emphasized that as an accountant, she "can trace a receipt down to the penny for any account you give me. I have never seen the fact that money is dispersed to these kinds of initiatives, and nobody knows where they are."