WASHINGTON, March 12 (UPI) -- Republican senators have developed a plan for an independent audit of the $787 billion stimulus for the U.S. economy, several GOP senators said Thursday.
"When the trillion-dollar stimulus bill was enacted a couple of weeks ago, we barely had time to ask a question about what is was for, and barely had time to read it to find what was in it," said Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., chairman of the Republican conference.
Most congressional Republicans didn't support the stimulus plan "because we didn't think it was targeted, timely, and temporary" as advertised by Democratic leadership, Alexander said during a news conference.
"We absolutely intend to spend our time over the next two years to make sure it's spent as wisely as possible to help the American taxpayer," he said, explaining that Republicans will confer with governors and mayors, as well as following the work of the General Accountability Office and the inspectors general.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky already wrote to GAO, asking for an independent audit of the stimulus bill and regular reports.
While noting it was a Republican effort, Alexander said they would work with Democrats to ensure "this a serious, useful effort."
