Government 2.0: GAO Unveils New Duplicative Program Report

Taxpayers deserve modern, efficient and cost-effective operations in their government, and it is the job of Congress and the Obama Administration, especially in times of fiscal crisis, to deliver these results.

Today the Government Accountability Office released a report that outlines 51 new areas of duplication, overlap and fragmentation. It has identified across government programs.

One of our witnesses, Senator Tom Coburn estimates that this type of waste and duplication costs taxpayers $100 billion per year. GAO estimates that we could save “tens of billions of dollars” each year by making improvements in these areas.

I have always said that the enemy isn’t the Democrats, the enemy isn’t the Republicans—it’s the bureaucracy. A bureaucracy that inherently resists change and adaptation.

Placing the blame for cause is not the mission of today’s hearing— We are here to pinpoint solutions and address areas of opportunity. Working together, Congress and the President can produce and execute efficient policies with agency officials, contractors, employees and managers, as well as outside organizations.