Interior Department halts $14M fishing grant amid Senate DOGE scrutiny

Washington’s spending net just snagged a big one. The Interior Department abruptly canceled a multi-year grant to the Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation (RBFF), a nonprofit cozy in Alexandria, Virginia, after Senate DOGE Caucus leadership reeled in evidence of bloated overhead and eyebrow-raising expenses. Taxpayers can breathe easier knowing at least $40.5 million is staying out of murky waters.

The decision followed a Fox News Digital report that caught the attention of Senate DOGE Caucus Chairwoman Joni Ernst, who exposed a $1.99 million RBFF contract with Disney, hefty SEO consulting fees, and $5 million funneled to a Minnesota creative agency. Since 2012, RBFF had already pocketed $164 million, with $26 million paid out before the grant’s cancellation. The grant, funded largely by excise taxes on fishing poles, was meant to boost the “Take Me Fishing” campaign.

Ernst’s probe revealed RBFF executives enjoying salaries in the mid-six figures and higher, raising questions about fiscal stewardship. “Today’s catch of the day is Washington waste,” Ernst declared, skewering the nonprofit’s lavish spending. Her zinger lands hard, but RBFF’s claim of being unable to connect with her office or the Interior Department during the review process smells fishy.

Senate DOGE Targets Wasteful Spending

A source confirmed RBFF met with Ernst’s team, and Interior Department spokeswoman Charlotte Taylor noted multiple contacts with RBFF this month. RBFF’s plea of being sidelined doesn’t hold water when their meetings undermine the narrative. The Senate DOGE Caucus, led by Ernst, pushed for accountability, saving taxpayers millions in the process.

The “Take Me Fishing” campaign, launched in 1998 with congressional backing from a tackle tax, aimed to promote fishing through social media, Disney streaming ads, and mobile units targeting urban and underserved communities. RBFF claims its efforts supported a $230.5 billion industry, generating 1.1 million jobs and $2 billion annually for conservation. Yet, the high costs of their operation cast a shadow over these achievements.

Interior’s review found RBFF’s spending misaligned with program goals. “Under President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, we are ensuring that every taxpayer dollar serves a clear purpose,” Taylor said. Her statement signals a broader push to trim fat from federal grants, a move conservatives cheer as long overdue.

Industry Feels the Ripple Effects

Matt Gruhn, president of the Marine Retailers Association of the Americas, praised RBFF’s role in streamlining licensing and boosting industry growth. “RBFF has been a responsible steward of these taxpayer dollars from the very beginning,” he insisted, pointing to their clean audit record. But clean audits don’t erase the stench of million-dollar Disney deals and executive paychecks that dwarf the average angler’s income.

Gruhn’s defense of RBFF as a cornerstone of industry success ignores the core issue: taxpayer dollars shouldn’t bankroll bloated budgets. The American Sportfishing Association, which supported the 1950 self-imposed rod tax, saw its legacy questioned as RBFF’s funding paused. The industry’s reliance on this grant raises concerns about its resilience without federal handouts.

Since the funding pause two months ago, fishing license sales dropped 8.6% across 16 states, costing $590 million in angler spending and 5,600 jobs. Glenn Hughes, CEO of the American Sportfishing Association, lamented the Interior’s decision as a blow to a 27-year legacy of growing fishing participation. His frustration is palpable, but pinning job losses solely on the grant’s cancellation overlooks broader market dynamics.

Fiscal Responsibility vs. Industry Impact

Hughes argued the Interior Department acted without industry consultation, abruptly ending RBFF’s work. “Without coordination with the recreational fishing industry, the Department of the Interior decided to withhold critical funding,” he said. Yet, the Interior’s multiple meetings with RBFF suggest more dialogue than Hughes lets on, weakening his claim of being blindsided.

RBFF officials claimed they adjusted employee pay, reduced staff, and realigned priorities to meet administrative goals. Their efforts to adapt came too late to save the grant, signaling a disconnect between their reforms and the Interior’s expectations. Taxpayers deserve better than after-the-fact fixes from a nonprofit swimming in federal funds.

The Senate DOGE Caucus, with Ernst at the helm, framed the cancellation as a victory for fiscal responsibility. “I am proud to have exposed bloated overhead costs and worked with Secretary Burgum to ensure tax dollars collected to boost fishing are not siphoned into the pockets of slick D.C.-based consultants,” Ernst said. Her focus on cutting waste resonates with conservatives tired of seeing hard-earned tax dollars misused.

A Call for Continued Scrutiny

Ernst’s promise to keep fishing for waste—“There’s more pork in the sea!”—is a rallying cry for those fed up with Washington’s spending habits. Her leadership in spotlighting RBFF’s excesses shows the Senate DOGE Caucus isn’t just casting lines; they’re hauling in results. The $40.5 million saved is a start, but the deeper issue is a culture of unchecked grants.

The fishing industry, while reeling from the grant’s loss, must adapt to a new reality. RBFF’s contributions to jobs and conservation are undeniable, but their high-cost model invites skepticism about efficiency. A leaner approach could still support anglers without draining taxpayer wallets.

Interior Department’s decision reflects a broader push to align federal spending with common-sense priorities. Conservatives will applaud the move as a step toward draining the swamp of wasteful programs, but the industry’s pain can’t be ignored. Balancing fiscal discipline with economic impact remains the challenge as Washington casts its net for the next big catch.