The House minority whip’s office has some new concerns about the stimulus rush:

The Stimulus creates two boards to provide advice and oversight on this unprecedented expenditure of federal funds. It appears that Republicans could be entirely shut out of both these boards.
First, the bill creates a “Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board.” (Sec 1521) The chairperson is to be appointed by the President and remainder of the board is composed of Inspectors General from the various agencies.
The bill goes on to create a “Recovery Independent Advisory Panel.” (Sec 1541) The legislation charges the panel with making “recommendations to the Board on actions the Board could take to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse relating to covered funds.”
The legislation states that the five members of the panel are to be appointed by the President, and while it requires that they have “expertise in economics, public finance, contracting, accounting, or any other relevant field” there is no requirement that the panel include any Republicans. Typically when similar advisory panels are created, they are required to include individuals from both political parties.
Democrat Conferees Restore Money for Stadiums, Museums…
The Senate passed bill included language added by Senator Coburn to prevent the use of funds on low-priority programs. This language for example would have prevented the expenditure funds from the Economic and Development Administration for the “Mob Museum” in Las Vegas, a priority of Senator Reid.
Specifically the Senate passed language stated:
Sec. 1609. Limit on Funds. None of the amounts appropriated or otherwise made available by this Act may be used for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, swimming pool, stadium, community park, museum, theater, art center, and highway beautification project.
The final Conference Report adopted by the conferees (including Senator Reid) deletes much of the Senate-passed language:
SEC. 1604. None of the funds appropriated or other-wise made available in this Act may be used by any State or local government, or any private entity for any casino or other gambling establishment, aquarium, zoo, golf course, or swimming pool.
The final bill still includes $150 million for the Economic Development Administration (EDA), some which now presumably can go to the “mob” museum. To see other museums funded by the EDA visit their website.