"Given the wide range of abuse of taxpayer dollars being used for everything from fortune tellers to clowns to spaying pets, it is clear that strong and vigorous oversight is necessary to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being protected." 

Boustany, R-La., in making the claim, released an undated document that appeared to be a boilerplate letter from the GSA to prospective contractors. It discussed the tax deduction -- but then said GSA would allocate that deduction "upon payment to GSA of 19 percent of the deduction amount." 

The letter claimed the money would be used "by GSA to invest in additional energy-efficiency projects." 

Boustany sent letters Thursday not just to GSA, but more than a dozen other departments and agencies in an apparent attempt to see if the practice was widespread.