Fighting Budget Waste Act
- Sponsor
- Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
- Committees
- Budget Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jan 31, 2025
Bottom line
This bill requires the executive branch to formally incorporate GAO's recommendations for government efficiency into the annual budget process and to report on these considerations to Congress.
What it actually does
This bill amends title 31 of the United States Code to mandate that the President and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) formally consider the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) annual report on reducing fragmentation, overlap, and duplication when preparing the President's annual budget submission. It also requires the OMB Director to submit a report to Congress detailing the Office's findings regarding these GAO recommendations concurrently with the budget submission.
Proponents argue
Supporters argue this bill promotes fiscal responsibility and government efficiency by ensuring the President and OMB actively review and respond to expert recommendations from the GAO. They contend that this formal requirement will lead to a more disciplined budget process, potentially identifying significant savings and improving the allocation of taxpayer dollars by reducing waste and duplication across federal programs.
Opponents contend
Critics might argue that this bill adds an unnecessary bureaucratic step to an already complex budget process, potentially creating more paperwork without guaranteeing actual implementation of GAO recommendations. They may also contend that the executive branch already considers such reports informally, and a formal mandate could lead to a perfunctory compliance exercise rather than substantive change.
The bill text is very short and easy to read, allowing ample time for comprehensive evaluation.
Section 2, amending Section 1105 of title 31, United States Code
Mandating Consideration of GAO Efficiency Report in Budget Preparation
This provision requires the President and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to review and take into account the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) annual report titled 'Additional Opportunities to Reduce Fragmentation, Overlap, and Duplication and Achieve Billions of Dollars in Financial Benefits' (or any successor report) when developing the President's yearly budget proposal. Additionally, it mandates that the OMB Director submit a report to Congress detailing the Office's findings with respect to these GAO recommendations concurrently with the budget submission.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision institutionalizes a critical step towards greater government efficiency and accountability. By requiring formal consideration of GAO's expert analysis on waste and duplication, it ensures that potential savings and improvements are not overlooked during the budget process, leading to more responsible use of taxpayer dollars and better government performance.
Critics contend
Critics might contend that while the intent is good, the provision could add an unfunded mandate and an additional layer of bureaucracy to the budget process without guaranteeing actual implementation of recommendations. They might argue that the executive branch already has mechanisms to consider such reports, and a formal mandate might just create more paperwork rather than substantive change or significant savings.
Tradeoffs
The bill balances the desire for greater government efficiency and accountability through formal executive branch review and reporting against concerns about potential increased administrative burden and the effectiveness of a mandate versus voluntary adoption of best practices.