If you aren't keen on political hyperbole, then don't tune in to hearings starting this week on big spending at the General Services Administration; but if you like to see lawmakers get on their soapbox and bash federal officials, then by all means stuff some popcorn in the microwave around 1:30pm EDT on Monday.
First up will be the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, with a hearing that is titled, "Addressing GSA's Culture of Wasteful Spending."
At least one official is expected to exercise his Fifth Amendment rights today against self-incrimination, as lawyers for Jeff Neely have made clear he won't answer lawmaker queries.
Neely was put on administrative leave last week from his post as head of the Public Buildings Service for the Pacific Rim; he was the official who organized the now infamous Las Vegas conference for the GSA that cost over $822,000.
Neely may also be facing a criminal probe for other violations as well.
There was no indication what two other officials would do - former GSA head Martha Johnson, who resigned last week, and deputy GSA Commissioner David Foley, who was placed on administrative leave after videos showed him joking about the cost of the Vegas gathering.
Also on the witness list for Monday's hearing will be the Inspector General for the GSA (the agency's internal watchdog) Brian Miller, current acting GSA Chief Dan Tangherlini and GSA Chief of Staff Michael Robertson.
The details of the $822,751 conference in Las Vegas is getting the expected reaction from members of Congress, who will be champing at the bit to score a few GSA scalps.
One person who won't be at today's hearing is maybe the one who blew the whistle on the entire episode - and the lack of internal punishment - that is Deputy GSA Administrator Susan Brita.
Brita clashed with superiors in July of 2011 - months after the 2010 Western GSA Conference - alarmed by the cost and the extras like clowns and a mind reader - but to no avail.
This is the first of a series of hearings into GSA spending on travel and conferences; we'll see how much news these sessions produce in coming days.
It could be a lot of political posturing, or it could be a very interesting next few days.
