A recent report from a government watchdog group has revealed that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spent roughly $60,000 to send a dozen employees to a conference in Scotland. The conference, which took place earlier this year, included a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) workshop.
According to the watchdog group, the expenditure is a misuse of taxpayer funds. They argue that the money could have been better spent on more pressing issues related to food and drug safety. The inclusion of a DEI workshop in the conference has also drawn criticism, with some arguing that it is not a necessary expense for FDA employees.
"This type of spending should never happen," said a spokesperson for the watchdog group. "Taxpayer money should be used responsibly and efficiently, especially when it comes to agencies like the FDA that are responsible for protecting public health."
The FDA has not yet released a statement regarding the report or the criticism it has received. It remains unclear what the specific goals of sending employees to the conference were or how the DEI workshop aligns with the agency's mission.
FDA Spent $60K on Scotland Conference with DEI Workshop
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) under President Biden spent approximately $60,000 to send twelve employees to a conference in Scotland. A government watchdog group criticized the expenditure, noting that the conference included a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) workshop. Critics argue that such spending should be avoided, raising questions about the allocation of taxpayer money. The FDA has yet to comment on the matter.