Jigar Shah, head of the Department of Energy’s (DOE) loan office, doesn’t see a problem with people who are seeking government loans paying money to come see him speak at events.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO) revealed this during his questioning of Shah during the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on Thursday. The committee is investigating how the Department of Energy hands out billions of dollars in loan guarantees and grants under Joe Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
“You think it's a good idea to go to events where people are trying to get federal money, and they're paying to see you?” Hawley asked.
“They're not paying to see me,” Shah claimed.
“I thought you just said you spoke at events where people paid?”
“Not to see me. I mean, I'm not that important,” Shah responded.
And then things got very…uncomfortable for Shah.
Hawley followed up, “You're the director of the loan programs for the federal government. Department of Energy. People are who want to get loans from the government are paying to see you. And you think that's fine?”
Awkward silence followed.
“That's not a rhetorical question,” Hawley added.
Watch the video above to see the entire back and forth between Hawley and Shah.
Related: 'I Wish I Hadn't Called It That' - Biden Regrets Title Of ' ...
Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act offers up more than $100 billion in loans and grants for energy related projects, because spending more taxpayer money will definitely lower inflation…or something like that.
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