Cliff Stearns: 'U.N. Must Learn Fiscal Discipline'

Florida Republican U.S. Rep. Cliff Stearns weighed in late last week after the House backed an amendment he filed on cutting federal funding for renovations of the U.N. building on Friday night.

The cost for renovating the headquarters of the U.N. has doubled from the original estimate and my amendment prohibits taxpayer funds from being used for the design, renovation or construction of the headquarters, said Stearns. I am not opposing creating a safe environment for U.N. workers and visitors, but I do want the U.N. to focus on fiscal reform and better procurement practices.Congress held a hearing in 2005 to determine if the U.N. estimate reflected the lowest cost option, and Donald Trump testified that the true cost would far exceed the estimate and that he could complete the renovations for $700 million, nearly half the cost.

The architect originally selected to complete the renovations was later terminated, and given $44 million, continued Stearns. The leadership at the U.N. must learn fiscal discipline, especially when using money from American taxpayers.

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