GAO Identifies $100 BIL. Savings by Cutting Specific Duplicated & Wasteful Programs
by Jeff DunetzThe Government Accountability Office (GAO), issued it first annual report on reducing or eliminating duplication, overlap, or fragmentation in government spending (embedded below). This particular report identifies areas where adjustments would generate tens of billions of savings, and the GAO did not even examine the entire federal government.
Within and across these missions, this report touches on hundreds of federal programs, affecting virtually all major federal departments and agencies. Overlap and fragmentation among government programs or activities can be harbingers of unnecessary duplication. Reducing or eliminating duplication, overlap, or fragmentation could potentially save billions of tax dollars annually and help agencies provide more efficient and effective services. The areas identified in this report are not intended to represent the full universe of duplication, overlap, or fragmentation within the federal government. We will continue to identify additional issues in future reports.
Even so, what this report finds is astounding,
In some cases, there is sufficient information available today to show that if actions are taken to address individual issues summarized in this report, financial benefits ranging from the tens of millions to several billion dollars annually may be realized by addressing that single issue. For example, while the Department of Defense is making limited changes to the governance of its military health care system, broader restructuring could result in annual savings of up to $460 million. Similarly, we developed a range of options that could reduce federal revenue losses by up to $5.7 billion annually by addressing potentially duplicative policies designed to boost domestic ethanol production. Likewise, we identified a number of other opportunities for cost savings or enhanced revenues such as reducing improper federal payments totaling billions of dollars, or addressing the gap between taxes owed and paid, potentially involving billions of dollars. Collectively, these savings and revenues could result in tens of billions of dollars in annual savings, depending on the extent of actions taken.
In total the GAO identified 34 areas for cutting including:
- The fragmented food safety system
- Realigning the military’s medical command
- Streamlining 31 agencies that provide for urgent soldier needs
- Lack of coordination by counter-improvised explosive devices
- Streamlining military intelligence gathering
- Avoiding duplicate purchasing of tactical wheeled vehicles
- Improve oversight of Defense’ prepositioning and stockpiling programs
- Defense business systems can be modernized
- The fragmented economic development programs
- Federal transportation programs that lack accountability
- Duplicative federal effort to provide water to the Mexico border region
- Conflicting federal vehicle energy goals
- Duplicative ethanol programs
- Government IT systems have divergent goals
- Duplicative federal data centers
- Duplicative contracting agencies
- Reviewing tax earmarks
- Modernizing health records by Defense and Veterans Affairs
- Controlling drug costs by Defense and Veterans Affairs
- Integrating public health information systems
- Integrating systems against biowarfare
- Duplication in securing the northern border
- Justice Department explosives investigations
- Transportation Security Agency’s assessments of commercial trucking
- Homeland Security can streamline information collecting with public transit agencies.
- FEMA can improve oversight of grants
- Duplicative development efforts in Afghanistan
- Overlapping arms control bureaus
- Administrative overlap on domestic food assistance
- Lack of coordination of federal homelessness programs
- Waste in transportation programs for the disadvantaged
- Duplication in job training programs
- Multiple programs ensuring teacher quality
- Fragmented financial literacy programs
You can read more about these 34 items beginning on the 10th page of the report embedded below.
Those are just the examples of duplication found totally within one department. The GAO also found other examples of duplication whose costs could not be identified because it was duplication between two or more departments. For those, costs could not be identified because the GAO would need input on how the duplication would be resolved.
For example, we identified 44 federal employment and training programs that overlap with at least one other program in that they provide at least one similar service to a similar population. However, our review of three of the largest programs showed that the extent to which individuals receive the same services from these programs is unknown due to program data limitations. In addition, Congress’ determinations in making policy decisions and actions that agencies may take would affect the potential savings associated with any given option. Nevertheless, considering the amount of program dollars involved in the issues we have identified, even limited adjustments could result in significant savings.
This particular report was the idea of Senator Tom Coburn, who pushed a Senate vote in January 2010 to direct the GAO to assess duplication in the budget (it was a matter of approving that report or Coburn block the raising the debt limit).
This morning Coburn discussed the report with the press and estimated the implementation of the GAO report could save taxpayers up to $100 Billion dollars.
“This report also shows we could save taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars every year without cutting services. And, in many cases, smart consolidations will improve service. GAO has identified a mother lode of government waste and duplication that should keep Congress busy for the rest of the year,” Coburn said.
A similar report was generated by the GAO in 2001 but no action was taken. Ten years later the country is even closer to an economic disaster and these cuts should take place immediately. That’s not to say that these cuts should take the place of other that are now being argued in congress (including entitlement reform) but this report seems to have identified a very good (and painless) start.
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47 Comments
We Tea Partyers have been saying for a long time to " chop the Government in half to start" Well here's the data. Let's roll !
We cannot go forward with the bloated Government that we have. This is what enables Dictators like Obama to hire so many Govt staff. It helps the socialist Dems to take US over! We need a lean mean Government.
"This morning Coburn discussed the report with the press and estimated the implementation of the GAO report could save taxpayers up to $100 Billion dollars."
Well, Tea Party Patriots in Congress. Here's your next $100 Billion in cuts.
Just fifteen more reports like this and we'll actually hit the break-even point on the budget.
Bravo! Nice, first attempt.
I think the pressure on the GOP will be immense now, to eliminate redundancy at the very least. The Leftists ability to demagogue spending cuts was just dealt a severe blow, IF the GOP has the gonads to capitalize on it, which is NEVER a given.
Join the discussion at our conservative forum, "It's About Liberty" http://itsaboutliberty.com
This rip off of the taxpayers has been going on for a long time. These cuts need to be immediate. But I'll bet it takes years for them to figure out how to disect and remove these wasteful departments and programs. I'd rather have that game show computer running the government than the liars and thieves we now have.
GOP – 66 Billion, GAO – 100 Billion do I heard 1.5 Trillion?
Cutting hundreds of Govt Agencies and the thousands of Govt Regulations that go with them and the Govt staff that goes with that, decreases the power of megalomaniacs like Obama and his Socialist Army of Democrats!
~ ~ ~ Are they going to cut any of Moochelles 23 handmaidens? or Obama's Chicago Personal Trainer? ~ ~ ~
How about LESS PARTYING at the White House while we're under attack by the Islamic Terrorists, and obama's friend Che Guevera, and soros , and the the self avowed Communists in "One Nation" and all of the other
anti-American groups that rallied in D.C. for Obama !
Sen. Coburn asked for the GAO to do this. Nobody had ever done that before, it's about time. We could have been saving $100's billions per year. No socialist would have ever done that. No we just have to make sure the socialists don't try to divert any savings to their pet projects.
Thank you Coburn, and thanks God for the Tea Party!
Elsewhere on the internet liberals are in excuse making mode again. In a liberal's mind, if one line item doesn't solve the entire crisis immediately it means it shouldn't be done. Myself, I believe every single penny that can be saved, should be saved.
Do not say bull crap or pile of dump – are you mods serious ? – I'll go wash my mouth out and sit in timeout
Yeah, Coburn came through. I think this will encourage many in Congress to come forth with legislation to eliminate hundreds of Govt Agencies, thousands of Govt Regulations, and thousands of Govt employees! I agree with you that we need to monitor fo diversion, or shenanigans re. the actual pink slips.
It's a great start. Imagine if 50 different members of Congress attack multiple Agencies. Our biggest problem has been Government waste & fraud. Well chopping the Govt like this puts a big dent in that. Progress is good!
Don't stop there, Go boys and girls there is alot more to cut.
There is! and now it begins. Obama will be barracading the Govt doors when he sees his Regime shrinking!
I know it all along: Like a hard drive that's bogging down, the federal government badly needs to be defragmented!
It's a great thought to think that this will set a precedent and that the GOP will now feel pressure to begin to chop the Government in half!
Cut, cut, cut, and when in doubt cut more.
Do you think it should be about 50%?
How much of this duplication and waste is caused by all the czars appointed by Obama? He must have forgotten to put a czar in place to oversee (control) the GAO. How many politicians have talked about cutting government waste? How many have really done anything about it? Now is a golden opportunity and it couldn't come a moment too soon.
Yes. Key word being NEXT …adds up fast. How I yearn for the days when it was just "$100's of Thousands" or "$10's of Millions". We've escalated quickly to "$100's of Billions" and now "Trillions" (if not "10's of Trillions").
Non-uniformed (not counting TSA mall cops). Maintain the military, FBI, border patrol.
They haven't even scratched the surface. The redundancy, waste, and corruption within all agencies even the DOD adds up to several trillion. Clean up the government agencies and we have a great start on paying down the national debt. Problem is there is not enough oversight in this bloated pig we call government to do so.
Nope GAO. Congress has to get serious.
For starters, more like 700 billion can be immediately and painlessly sliced, and returned to the taxpayers. Forget about overseeing this and that, just wack it…problem solved.
how about fragged?
So I guess the unfunded entitlement totals of around 100,000 Billion must really be depressing for you.
It's almost enough to make me seriously consider this idea:
"America Should Default"
http://www.americanthinker.com/2011/03/america_sh...
With any luck the Dumba$$ in Chief will barricade it from the outside!
this report identifies duplicate activities only in the federal level of government, what about at the state, county and local level? if all duplicate offices, and functions were eliminated, there would be mass layoffs in government. and those government layoffs would create new jobs in the private sector. but, eliminating all of these government jobs, will reduce the total amount of kickbacks elected officials would get for re-election. i also didn't see any mention of the staff's of elected officers. i am sure they can do with less as well.
End welfare to that terrorist state of Israel that attacked us! You could end support of Egypt, too. That's about 5 billion right there.
End welfare for socialist Astroturfers for The Wonderful Wizard of Uhhh who pose as anti-Semites to smear political opponents' blogs. That's got to be worth another five billion, at least…
Excellent article …sad and scary …think my mind just went on overload & yes, depressing.
Too bad we can't take all those "debts" other countries owed us (with interest) and back track.
Ya know, like being an Indian Giver. Could "shore up" a few things.
actually i am trying to get appointed to the post of swimsuit czar, in charge of watching the photography for the swimsuit issue ot s.i.. i am not sure if i will get this post, but why not try and take advantage of the incompetence at the white house. my application was as a diesel fitter rules czar, as in yes these fit her nicely
who pose as anti-Semites to smear political opponents' blogs
Oh, he's not posing.
move to libya!
The saddest part of where we are is that if we had a powerful and shrewd president, we could use our financial woes to our advantage. Just using the THREAT of default would cause the world to shudder, because no matter how much of the world "hates" America, most of them know that the only reason they exists is DUE to American economic activity.
But at the same time that you do something like that, you'd also have to aggressively open up domestic energy resources, expand domestic agricultural output, and strategically set up a rollback of foreign aid and domestic welfare programs.
Like I said, powerful and shrewd. But done correctly, the country could come out of it more independent, more secure, more productive, and more in control of our own destiny.
Too bad we don't have that kind of leadership. Yet.
Aggressively is an understatement and opening up all on the domestic home front would be wise to do 1st – and under the radar as much as possible. As for Leadership …other than what I can honestly count on 2 hands…ain't seeing a hulluva lot in that arena. Need people like you and many others here that blog who not only know what is right but will do what is right, Period.
You're right Rick. I'm hoping that this encourages other congress members to start chopping this Govt to bits! Obama will be whimpering in a corner to see his Regime shrinking. Heh heh
What are we waiting for? LET'S DO IT!
Where is that on the list?
We are winning.
http://www.veteranstoday.com/2011/02/26/u-s-publi...
"U.S. Public No Longer Supports Taxpayer Money to Israel"
Take this report. Give it to the Republicans. Create 34 bills to correct each item in the list. Let's get started.
I want to believe there are thousands of great potential leaders out there, that if they stepped up to the plate could change the course of history. It's just such a daunting challenge for anyone that would get into the spotlight. Who wants to step into that spotlight to be crucified for taking bold and principled positions?
But maybe if we get a few come up that can survive the crucible, they'll do what all great leaders do, and that is create a whole new generation of great leadership.
Of course, the GAO was has been completely neutered of any authority (thanks Clinton and Gingrich) so this means precious little.
Face it, hoser: The biggest thing you'll ever win is a lifetime supply of Cheetos.
Save 1 billion plus, fire these obama cronies
Federal employees who owe Uncle Sam could face pink slips if a new bill gets passed by Congress.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, introduced the bill Tuesday that would terminate the employment of federal employees and prohibit the hiring of future federal employees who have a seriously delinquent tax debt.
Chaffetz also introduced another bill that would prohibit anyone with a seriously delinquent tax debt from acquiring a federal government contract or grant – a measure that is similar to one introduced in 2007 by-then Sen. Barack Obama.
"Federal employees, contractors and grantees have an obvious obligation to pay their taxes," Chaffetz said in a written statement. "Because they draw their compensation from the American taxpayers, they owe it to the taxpayers themselves to be compliant. Those that do not, should be fired or lose funding."
The bills are under review in committee.
Currently, only IRS employees can be fired for not paying federal income taxes. Chaffetz's bill would expand that to include all federal employees. But federal workers who enter installment arrangements to pay off their tax debts would not be affected. Chaffetz also said the multistep procedure required to designated a taxpayer "seriously delinquent" offers federal employees due process.
Nearly 100,000 federal civilian employees owed $1 billion in unpaid federal income taxes in 2009, according to the IRS. The number of delinquent federal employees has remained consistent since 2004, but the amount owed has soared nearly 70 percent from $600 million to $1 billion since obama took over Whitehouse
Wait until we find out that these "duplicated" groups are actually the same group double and multiple-dipping.
For all we know the money all goes back to our Emir in his Swiss bank account for his retirement fund.
"Government is not the solution; government is the problem." And with our Emir steering it it's a ticking time bomb.
Raising the Debt Ceiling: It Just Makes Sense. Not.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KoWRh1Y9IY&fe...
"If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter."
George Washington
WIth out-of-control Government growth, how can Legislators do what they are elected to do, which is funding and "OVERSIGHT"? Obviously they can't in these circumstances.
I am thankful to see this GAO report, and I look forward to seeing the action from the Republican majority in the House.
Government is the least effective and efficient form of business, and this proves that BIG TIME!
They have identified it so cut it. Is this another 100 billion or the same old 100 billion (which is much to small a cut) they have been waiving in front of us?
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