Feds ran up $1.3 million booze tab last year -- By Phillip Swarts, The Washington Times

Move over, "Animal House," Hollywood's got nothing on the federal government when it comes to buying booze.

Federal spending records show the government spends seven-figures a year stocking its cabinets with wine, beer and liquor.

In fiscal 2013, the last year for which there are complete records, the government spent almost $1.3 million on alcohol, more than quadruple the $315,000 spent in 2005. The spending on liquor has increased over the years toward the $1 million mark, with 2013's tab growing more than $400,000 over 2012.

"You could say that Washington's quite literally drunk on other people's money," said Jonathan Bydlak, president of the Coalition to Reduce Spending, a fiscal watchdog that advocates reduced federal expenditures.

"It's very symbolic of the kind of problem we have in a whole host of government areas," he said.
"Obviously, the government operates in an environment with very few restraints. So unlike a business or a nonprofit, when they want to purchase for an event, they have to weigh it against expenses that people in government don't."

Thus, the federal government's liquor purchases receive this week's Golden Hammer, a distinction awarded by The Washington Times to examples of fiscal mismanagement, wasteful spending and abuse.

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