Ernst Report Reveals $1.2M Spent on US Embassy Swimming Pools Overseas
By [Your Name], Government Accountability Correspondent
Published: July 20, 2025
A recent report from U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) has sparked controversy by exposing that the Biden administration’s State Department allocated over $1.2 million in taxpayer funds to renovate swimming pools at U.S. embassies and mission residences in several countries, including war-torn and poverty-stricken nations like Haiti, Sudan, and Iraq. Released on July 17, 2025, the report has fueled debates about government spending priorities, particularly in light of ongoing efforts by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to curb wasteful expenditures. This article examines the details of the report, the context of the spending, the public and political reactions, and the broader implications for U.S. foreign policy and fiscal accountability.
Details of the Ernst Report
The report, compiled by Senator Ernst’s office using data from USASpending.gov, identifies 14 contracts totaling more than $1.2 million for swimming pool upgrades at U.S. diplomatic facilities in seven countries: Haiti, Iraq, Sudan, Russia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Indonesia. The expenditures, authorized during President Joe Biden’s term, include:
- Iraq: $444,000 to upgrade the indoor dehumidification system at the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, a facility that originally cost over $750 million to build. Additional upgrades included five pool-related projects, such as a $10,000 mechanical repair at the U.S. Consulate in Erbil.
- Russia: $41,259 for a sewer pump replacement at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, contracted in June 2022, three months after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, raising questions about the timing and necessity of the expenditure.
- Sudan: $24,000 for a pool deck installation in 2021, despite a State Department travel advisory citing armed conflict, terrorism, and kidnapping risks. The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum suspended operations in 2023 due to ongoing violence.
- Zimbabwe: Over $130,000 for pool covers at U.S. mission residences in Harare, in a country where millions live in poverty.
- Haiti: Two pool upgrades, with unspecified costs, amid ongoing political instability and violence.
- Ghana and Indonesia: One upgrade each, including a $173,000 contract for a pool project in Jakarta, Indonesia, which has not yet been fully paid.
Senator Ernst, who chairs the Senate DOGE Caucus, criticized the spending as wasteful, stating, “Bureaucrats might think wasting millions is a drop in the bucket, but I am sick and tired of taxpayers getting tossed in the deep end by Washington.” She emphasized her commitment to working with the Trump administration to curb such expenditures, framing the pool upgrades as emblematic of broader mismanagement under Biden’s State Department.
Context and Rationale for the Spending
The State Department has not publicly detailed the rationale for these renovations, but some context can be inferred. U.S. embassies often serve as hubs for diplomacy, housing staff and their families in challenging environments. Swimming pools, while seemingly luxurious, can provide recreation and stress relief for personnel in high-risk or remote postings. For example, the Baghdad Embassy, one of the largest U.S. diplomatic facilities, operates in a volatile region, and maintaining amenities like pools may be seen as essential for morale. Similarly, upgrades like dehumidification systems or sewer pumps could address health and safety concerns, such as preventing mold or ensuring sanitation.
However, the timing and location of these expenditures—particularly in war-torn countries like Sudan and post-invasion Russia—have raised eyebrows. Critics argue that taxpayer funds should prioritize core diplomatic functions or humanitarian aid, especially in nations facing poverty and conflict. The lack of transparency about the decision-making process further fuels perceptions of mismanagement.
Public and Political Reactions
The report has generated significant attention, particularly on platforms like X, where users expressed outrage over the use of taxpayer dollars. Posts on X called the spending “a waste” and questioned why funds were allocated to non-essential projects in unstable regions. For example, one user stated, “Biden paid for pools in war-torn countries using our tax dollars,” reflecting widespread frustration.
Politically, the report aligns with broader Republican efforts to scrutinize Biden-era spending. Ernst’s findings come amid DOGE’s high-profile investigations into federal waste, including the termination of 83% of USAID programs deemed misaligned with U.S. interests. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s overhaul of the State Department, including the closure of USAID in July 2025, underscores a push for fiscal discipline. Rubio’s team has worked with DOGE to identify “fraud, waste, and abuse,” and Ernst’s report bolsters this narrative.
Democrats and some analysts, however, caution against oversimplifying the issue. They argue that embassy maintenance, including amenities, is a small fraction of the State Department’s $60 billion annual budget and necessary for operational efficiency. Critics of Ernst’s report, such as former USAID official Paul Martin, note that while waste exists across agencies, high-profile reports may exaggerate the scope to score political points.
Pros and Cons of Embassy Pool Upgrades
Pros:
- Staff Morale and Well-Being: Pools provide recreation for embassy staff in high-stress environments, potentially improving mental health and productivity.
- Health and Safety: Upgrades like dehumidification systems or sewer pumps address maintenance issues, ensuring safe facilities.
- Diplomatic Functionality: Well-maintained embassies project U.S. prestige and support long-term diplomatic operations.
Cons:
- Perceived Waste: Spending on pools in poverty-stricken or war-torn countries appears tone-deaf, especially when basic needs go unmet locally.
- Questionable Timing: Contracts in Russia post-Ukraine invasion and Sudan amid conflict raise ethical concerns about priorities.
- Lack of Transparency: Limited public justification for the expenditures fuels distrust in government spending.
Broader Implications
The Ernst report highlights ongoing tensions over federal spending and accountability. With the U.S. facing domestic challenges like disaster recovery and infrastructure needs, expenditures on overseas amenities are a lightning rod for criticism. The report also underscores the role of DOGE, led by figures like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, in reshaping federal priorities under the Trump administration. Recent DOGE actions, such as clawing back $59 million in FEMA funds misallocated to migrant housing, reflect a broader push to redirect funds to core national interests.
For the State Department, the controversy may prompt stricter oversight of discretionary spending. The closure of USAID and Rubio’s reorganization of over 300 offices signal a shift toward leaner operations, potentially limiting future projects like pool upgrades. However, cutting amenities could impact embassy staff retention in challenging postings, requiring a balance between fiscal restraint and operational needs.
Recommendations for Accountability
- Enhanced Transparency: The State Department should publicly justify embassy maintenance projects, detailing their necessity and alignment with diplomatic goals.
- Prioritization Framework: Establish clear criteria for funding non-essential upgrades, prioritizing mission-critical expenses in unstable regions.
- Independent Audits: Regular audits by agencies like the Government Accountability Office (GAO) could ensure taxpayer funds are used effectively.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Involve Congress and the public in discussions about embassy budgets to rebuild trust and ensure alignment with national priorities.
Conclusion
Senator Joni Ernst’s report on the $1.2 million spent on U.S. embassy swimming pool upgrades has ignited a debate about fiscal responsibility and government priorities. While the expenditures may have supported staff well-being, their timing and location in war-torn and impoverished nations have drawn sharp criticism. As DOGE and the Trump administration push for spending reforms, the State Department faces pressure to justify such projects and enhance transparency. The controversy underscores the need for a balanced approach to embassy maintenance, ensuring taxpayer funds are used wisely while supporting diplomatic operations in challenging environments.
Disclaimer: Information is based on reports available as of July 20, 2025. For updated details, refer to official State Department or USASpending.gov records.
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