FUNCTIONAL GOVERNMENT INITIATIVE

Building a Better Future for All Americans

Abuse of Government

Why do actions of the federal government exhibit so much dysfunction, often by default?

Inflation

What is being done by the government to address skyrocketing prices?

Energy

How are government actions affecting access to reliable, domestic sources of energy?

Infrastructure

Will infrastructure spending lead to economic growth?

Supply Chain

How is the federal government responding to the
supply chain crisis?

COVID

What can we learn from the government’s pandemic response?

Watchdog seeks records on HHS Secretary Becerra’s recommendation for a COVID shot every two months

December 12, 2022

(Washington, DC) –Today, the Functional Government Initiative (FGI) announced an investigation into the announcement by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra that recommends a COVID vaccine every two months, just a day after the administration stated that only one shot a year is recommended. FGI is seeking documents surrounding the communications and studies the Secretary relied on for this new recommendation so that they can be available for independent review.

On November 28, Vice President Kamala Harris tweeted, “One shot, once a year—that’s all most people will need to stay protected from COVID year-long.” The very next day, Secretary Becerra put out a similar message, except he recommended vaccine doses every two months. Judging from these tweets, especially without any scientific documentation for the public to review, Secretary Becerra apparently recommends six times more vaccine doses per year than the Vice President recommends. Becerra repeated his two-month recommendation in another tweet on November 30.

Watchdog Group Finds over $1 Billion in Possible Telework-Related Government Waste, Pushes for More Oversight

By Jacob Bliss (Breitbart)

The Functional Government Initiative (FGI), a “new organization dedicated to improving the American public’s awareness about the officials, decisions, and priorities of their government,” conducted an examination, first reported by Breitbart News, of leave data from federal agencies and service centers that process payroll for multiple agencies, which shows that federal employees’ use of sick days and paid time off steeply declined during the telework expansion following the Chinese coronavirus pandemic.

Ultimately, employees taking time off but not using leave days have cost taxpayers over $1 billion in waste over the last few years. At the beginning of the pandemic, the report noted, “virtually all federal agencies moved to fulltime telework, attempting to limit the spread of [Chinese coronavirus].”

Our Principles

We need a government that works for the people, not special interests. One that assists entrepreneurs and small businesses rather than erecting new barriers to success. We need a functional government that advances the following principles:

Thriving Economy

Americans need an economy that works for everyone and allows us to face any challenge that comes our way, whether it is the next pandemic, a changing climate, or an aging population.

Healthy America

The pandemic hit our country hard and reminded us of the importance of a social safety net and healthy population. The government must not overpromise and underdeliver, allowing special interests to benefit from less competition and a more dependent population.

Strong and Equitable Workforce

By expanding opportunities for meaningful work, we can give people purpose, increase productivity, and lay the foundation for a more inclusive, equitable workforce.

Safe and Clean Environment

Important American values such as reducing harmful emissions and promoting clean water hinge on a strong economy and human ingenuity.