In a letter today sent to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Jane Lubchenco, House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Ralph Hall (R-TX) questioned a reported NOAA job posting aiming to pay for magicians at an upcoming leadership training conference.

First reported in Government Executive, the contract opening was posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website earlier this week.  The opening sought to hire performers to deliver presentations that include “experiential exercises, physical energizers, magic tricks, puzzles, brain teasers, word games, humor and team-building exercises, designed to demonstrate how to stimulate creativity, encourage active participation, and practice needed skills and competencies.”

“As the Federal government continues to burden American taxpayers with trillion-dollar deficits and NOAA struggles to meet critical weather forecasting missions to protect lives and property, this type of ridiculous and wasteful spending is simply unacceptable,” said Hall.  The letter also demands that Administrator Lubchenco provide all spending reports for magicians, comedians, mind-readers, and related performers for the last three years.

A full copy of the letter can be viewed HERE