WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), the top Democrat on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, reiterated the need to use taxpayer dollars efficiently and effectively in light of the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) latest report that identifies potential overlap, duplication, or fragmentation in government programs, agencies, offices, and initiatives. The report, released annually, highlights opportunities to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs and activities in an effort to cut costs and save money for taxpayers.
“In everything we do, we must always strive to do it better,” said Senator Carper. “GAO’s annual report on duplication highlights areas where federal agencies can utilize taxpayer dollars more efficiently and effectively. It is now our job in Congress to use the information to focus our oversight efforts and take action where needed to eliminate waste and unnecessary duplication. I will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress, and partners across the federal government, to find places where we can get better results for less money and ensure that we are being good stewards of taxpayer dollars. To that end, I am working with my colleagues on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to introduce legislation soon that would ensure these recommendations from the GAO are examined and, where necessary, acted upon.”
The Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) 2016 annual report, released today, identifies 12 new areas of fragmentation, overlap, and duplication in federal programs and activities and identifies 59 new opportunities for cost savings and revenue enhancement.