US Lawmakers Weigh in on Federal Scandals

 　　U.S. lawmakers continue to express dismay and outrage¹ over twin scandals in the federal government: one that has consumed the Secret Service, the other involving the agency that provides supplies and equipment for federal operations.

　　No evidence has emerged that a prostitution scandal involving Secret Service agents compromised security for President Barack Obama earlier this month in Cartagena, Colombia. But that is little consolation² to independent Senator Joe Lieberman, chairman of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

　　“I do not think we want our Secret Service agents drinking bottles of vodka and carousing³ with women before they are going on duty to protect the president of the United States.”

　　Eleven Secret Service employees are alleged⁴ to have taken prostitutes to their hotel in Cartagena, Colombia, before President Obama’s arrival at the Summit of the Americas.  Several agents have been fired or voluntarily left federal service amid ongoing⁵ investigations⁶.

　　Unacceptable behavior

　　Senator Lieberman says the potential security risks posed by such behavior are unacceptable.

　　“It is more serious than just a frolic. History is full of cases where enemies have compromised people in security or intelligence positions with sex.”

　　Lawmakers of both parties have expressed confidence in Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan. But the top Republican on the Homeland Security Committee, Senator Susan Collins, says many questions still need to be answered.

　　“To me, it defies belief that this was just an aberration⁷. There were too many people involved. It included two supervisors⁸. That is particularly shocking and appalling⁹.”

　　President Obama added his voice to the chorus of outrage in the wake of the episode, one of two scandals gripping the federal government.

　　Wasteful¹⁰ spending

　　The other involves the General Services Administration, accused of wasteful spending on lavish¹¹ conferences and executive travel to exotic locations. Speaking on ABC's This Week program, Senator Collins noted¹² government inspectors¹³ had uncovered a pattern of wasteful GSA spending and brought it to the attention of the Obama administration.

　　Probes of both scandals are ongoing. Last week saw congressional hearings on the GSA. Similar hearings on the Secret Service are expected in coming weeks.

1 outrage   

n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒

参考例句：

• When he heard the news he reacted with a sense of outrage.他得悉此事时义愤填膺。
• We should never forget the outrage committed by the Japanese invaders.我们永远都不应该忘记日本侵略者犯下的暴行。

2 consolation   

n.安慰，慰问

参考例句：

• The children were a great consolation to me at that time.那时孩子们成了我的莫大安慰。
• This news was of little consolation to us.这个消息对我们来说没有什么安慰。

3 carousing   

v.痛饮，闹饮欢宴( carouse的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• During the next nine years he alternated between service in several armies and carousing in Paris. 在那以后的九年里，他时而在几个军队中服役，时而在巴黎狂欢作乐。 来自辞典例句
• In his youth George W. Bush had a reputation for carousing. 小布什在年轻时有好玩的名声。 来自互联网

4 alleged   

a.被指控的，嫌疑的

参考例句：

• It was alleged that he had taken bribes while in office. 他被指称在任时收受贿赂。
• alleged irregularities in the election campaign 被指称竞选运动中的不正当行为

5 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

6 investigations   

（正式的）调查( investigation的名词复数 )； 侦查； 科学研究； 学术研究

参考例句：

• His investigations were intensive and thorough but revealed nothing. 他进行了深入彻底的调查，但没有发现什么。
• He often sent them out to make investigations. 他常常派他们出去作调查。

7 aberration   

n.离开正路，脱离常规，色差

参考例句：

• The removal of the chromatic aberration is then of primary importance.这时消除色差具有头等重要性。
• Owing to a strange mental aberration he forgot his own name.由于一种莫名的精神错乱，他把自己的名字忘了。

8 supervisors   

n.监督者，管理者( supervisor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• I think the best technical people make the best supervisors. 我认为最好的技术人员可以成为最好的管理人员。 来自辞典例句
• Even the foremen or first-level supervisors have a staffing responsibility. 甚至领班或第一线的监督人员也有任用的责任。 来自辞典例句

9 appalling   

adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的

参考例句：

• The search was hampered by appalling weather conditions.恶劣的天气妨碍了搜寻工作。
• Nothing can extenuate such appalling behaviour.这种骇人听闻的行径罪无可恕。

10 wasteful   

adj.（造成）浪费的，挥霍的

参考例句：

• It is a shame to be so wasteful.这样浪费太可惜了。
• Duties have been reassigned to avoid wasteful duplication of work.为避免重复劳动浪费资源，任务已经重新分派。

11 lavish   

adj.无节制的；浪费的；vt.慷慨地给予，挥霍

参考例句：

• He despised people who were lavish with their praises.他看不起那些阿谀奉承的人。
• The sets and costumes are lavish.布景和服装极尽奢华。

12 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

13 inspectors   

n.检查员( inspector的名词复数 )；（英国公共汽车或火车上的）查票员；（警察）巡官；检阅官

参考例句：

• They got into the school in the guise of inspectors. 他们假装成视察员进了学校。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Inspectors checked that there was adequate ventilation. 检查员已检查过，通风良好。 来自《简明英汉词典》