For a government agency to spend money is not as undesirable as it would be for you and me. Budgets have to be justified, and not spending money leads to reduce

For a government agency to spend money is not as undesirable as it would be for you and me. Budgets have to be justified, and not spending money leads to reduced budgets (and hence reduced influence). Spending budget on high-profile projects can be seen as beneficial to career advancement. Though, $1 million wouldn't get you far if it wasn't for the high-profile nature of this "project"...