This year the government paid for silent Shakespeare plays, non-functional dishwashers, and lessons on how to tell the truth

Following in the annual tradition of former Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn, current Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford has released a list of 100 "federal fumbles" — questionable and sometimes comical spending decisions made by the government this year.

The football-themed report targets expenses like a silent production of Shakespeare, energy-efficient dishwashers that used so little water they had to run two cycles to work, llama showcasing regulations, and marketing for raisins. Headlining the list is the $43 million spent on a single gas station in Afghanistan, an expenditure which was lambasted in a report by the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction in November.

"Cited here are not only prime examples of wasteful spending, but also federal departments or agencies that regulate outside the scope of the federal government's constitutional role," Lankford wrote in the introduction. "I firmly believe my staff and I have the obligation to solve the troubles of our nation, not just complain, which is why for every problem identified, you will also find a recommended solution."

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up