The Awful Sound of Your Money Being Flushed Down a Toilet

Via CQ Today:

Homeland security money no longer could be used to purchase fancy purses and circus-like performances if lawmakers adopt a pair of amendments Tuesday to a fiscal 2007 spending bill.

Reps. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., and Scott Garrett, R-N.J., are pushing the amendments to the Homeland Security appropriations measure (HR 5441).

Louis Vuitton handbags were among the luxury items purchased by Hurricane Katrina victims with debit cards from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Homeland Security Department grants to firefighters also helped sponsor numerous not-very-homeland-security-related things, including clown and puppet shows.

“I think clowns are as funny as the next person, but I don’t think the ability to make balloon animals or throw a pie will be very helpful during the next terrorist attack,” Garrett said in prepared remarks.

The proposals could be ruled out of order if they’re offered, so expect them to be withdrawn — once the two make their point.