Biden, Warren stress need for transparency, oversight of relief payments
Presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE and Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) in a new op-ed are stressing the need for transparency and oversight of relief efforts amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The former vice president and his former primary opponent and potential running mate slammed the Trump administration and urged more oversight of the relief efforts in the McClatchy op-ed.
“Both of us have served in Congress overseeing the executive branch. We have also both served in the executive branch and answered to independent oversight. Take it from us: oversight is vital to an effective democracy and a fair economy, and it’s a threat only if you have something to hide,” the Democrats wrote.
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The Democrats also criticized President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE and Republicans for pushing a $500 billion corporate bailout fund that Warren and Biden said “Trump could use to reward his political friends and punish his political enemies.”
They also slammed Trump for appointing a “White House loyalist” as inspector general overseeing the disbursement of federal relief funds as part of the coronavirus relief package. Trump announced in April he tapped Brian Miller, a member of the White House Counsel’s office, for the role.
Biden and Warren in the op-ed called for putting in place protections against conflicts of interests, closing loopholes and requiring more extensive public reporting of lobbying activity, and protecting inspectors general and whistleblowers.
“If Congress and the Trump Administration are unwilling to act now, then we will ensure that these changes are made in January 2021, both through new legislation and immediate Executive commitments made by the Biden Administration,” they wrote.
Biden has yet to make a decision on a running mate. He named four co-chairs of his running mate selection committee last Thursday.
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Warren said last month she would say yes if Biden asked her to run as vice president on the ticket with him.