Bill of the Month — March 2023: Identifying and Eliminating Wasteful Programs Act

The Taxpayers Protection Alliance’s (TPA) Bill of the Month for March 2023 is the Identifying and Eliminating Wasteful Programs Act introduced by Sens. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), with companion legislation offered by Reps. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) and Nancy Mace (R-S.C.). This legislation would require federal agencies to conduct a thorough review of programs that are unnecessary, defunct, or duplicative. Additionally, agencies are tasked with identifying those that could merged with other programs to promote efficiency, and programs that could be more effectively managed by another executive entity.

Background:

In December 2010, Congress passed the Government and Performance and Results Act Modernization Act of 2010 (GPRAMA). This bill established procedures for strategic planning, results tracking and reporting framework for agencies. Transparent strategic planning and objectives ensure taxpayers have a clear understanding of what a program’s goals are. However, since the enactment of GPRAMA, agencies have reported program initiatives, but failed to recognize overlap and inefficiency.

In January 2021, the Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act became law as part of the fiscal year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act. This legislation built upon GPRAMA by requiring the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to collect and report details of federal programs and the costs associated with them. The Taxpayers Right-To-Know Act ensures that Congress and taxpayers have access to an accurate and transparent database of government operations.

Identifying and Eliminating Wasteful Programs Act:

This legislation continues Congress’ lineage of transparency and oversight efforts for government agencies. The bill first requires agencies to identify wasteful programs based upon OMB guidance. Secondly, agencies are tasked with publishing and submitting to Congress a list of such programs. Finally, agencies can make recommendations to Congress towards eliminating or consolidating listed programs.

Taxpayers should have confidence that the federal government is conducting rigorous oversight and continuously looking for ways to become more effective and less wasteful. The Identifying and Eliminating Wasteful Programs Act works strongly towards that goal.

It is for these reasons (among others) that TPA is proud to make the Identifying and Eliminating Wasteful Programs Act its Bill of the Month for March 2023.