Monday, May 21, 2011
Legislative Update: Eliminating Duplicative Government Programs
Dear Friends:
Since I first came to Congress in 2001, I have been sounding the alarms on federal spending and our national debt. Since the late 1990s
when we had a balanced budget under President Clinton, federal spending has ballooned out of control and the federal government has
made too many promises it can no longer afford. Our budget deficits and the national debt continue to hinder our country’s long-term
economic growth.
The reality is that our problem is much more than congressional spending. Yes, we need to cut congressional spending for federal programs
and activities, also known as discretionary spending, and, I support many of those cuts. However, this type of spending only makes up 15
percent of the federal budget. Even if we cut all non-defense discretionary spending – eliminating every single federal program – this nation
would still run huge annual deficits.
Spending cuts alone are not enough. We have to take a comprehensive approach to our nation’s finances. Everything must be on the table
including tax reform, entitlement reform, budget process reforms, and the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse, and duplicate government
programs. Instead of the political games that have been played recently over our budget, the American people deserve a serious
conversation, and that is my goal as your Congressman.
That’s why I have helped introduce House Resolution 623, which amends the rules of the House of Representatives to prevent duplicative
and overlapping government programs.
Eliminating duplicative and overlapping government programs has the potential to save our country billions of dollars. In fact, earlier this year,
the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report detailing $100 billion in possible savings by eliminating duplicative programs.
In 2011 the GAO identified 81 separate areas where duplication could be eliminated and this year they identified an additional 51 areas.
H.Res 623 accomplishes this savings by helping ensure members of Congress are informed of all existing federal programs before creating
new ones. This reform would require the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to provide a duplication score for all legislation before
consideration in Congress. Similar to a CBO estimate, which provides members of Congress with the potential cost of legislation, this
duplication score would explain if the legislation to be considered creates new programs duplicative of existing federal programs.
By preventing Congress from considering any bill or joint resolution that has not had an overlapping and duplicative program analysis
prepared and posted on-line, this legislation helps to ensure that the federal government is more responsible, accountable and efficient—all
while allowing us to save taxpayer dollars and cut government waste and redundancies.
It is time to change the way Washington operates. H.Res 623 is just one step of many that must be taken in order for our country to continue
to recovery economically. Congress must be willing to work together, listen to each other and the American people to get the job done
because no one side has a monopoly on good ideas. We must roll up our sleeves and make the tough decisions necessary to once again put
the country back on secure economic footing.
As your Congressman, I will continue to work with both Democrats and Republicans to introduce more commonsense, bipartisan solutions like
H.Res 623 to help us return to the days of a balanced budget and stronger economy.
Sincerely,
Mike Ross
-###-
A fifth generation Arkansan, Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott represents the Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas in the U.S. House
of Representatives. Ross serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee and serves as the ranking member of the U.S. Delegation to
the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, an association of lawmakers from each of the NATO-member countries. Ross is also Co-Chair of the
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, Co-Chair of the Second Amendment Task Force and Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of
fiscally conservative Democratic House members that advocates the principles of fiscal responsibility and government accountability.
Legislative Update: Eliminating Duplicative Government Programs
Dear Friends:
Since I first came to Congress in 2001, I have been sounding the alarms on federal spending and our national debt. Since the late 1990s
when we had a balanced budget under President Clinton, federal spending has ballooned out of control and the federal government has
made too many promises it can no longer afford. Our budget deficits and the national debt continue to hinder our country’s long-term
economic growth.
The reality is that our problem is much more than congressional spending. Yes, we need to cut congressional spending for federal programs
and activities, also known as discretionary spending, and, I support many of those cuts. However, this type of spending only makes up 15
percent of the federal budget. Even if we cut all non-defense discretionary spending – eliminating every single federal program – this nation
would still run huge annual deficits.
Spending cuts alone are not enough. We have to take a comprehensive approach to our nation’s finances. Everything must be on the table
including tax reform, entitlement reform, budget process reforms, and the elimination of waste, fraud and abuse, and duplicate government
programs. Instead of the political games that have been played recently over our budget, the American people deserve a serious
conversation, and that is my goal as your Congressman.
That’s why I have helped introduce House Resolution 623, which amends the rules of the House of Representatives to prevent duplicative
and overlapping government programs.
Eliminating duplicative and overlapping government programs has the potential to save our country billions of dollars. In fact, earlier this year,
the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report detailing $100 billion in possible savings by eliminating duplicative programs.
In 2011 the GAO identified 81 separate areas where duplication could be eliminated and this year they identified an additional 51 areas.
H.Res 623 accomplishes this savings by helping ensure members of Congress are informed of all existing federal programs before creating
new ones. This reform would require the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to provide a duplication score for all legislation before
consideration in Congress. Similar to a CBO estimate, which provides members of Congress with the potential cost of legislation, this
duplication score would explain if the legislation to be considered creates new programs duplicative of existing federal programs.
By preventing Congress from considering any bill or joint resolution that has not had an overlapping and duplicative program analysis
prepared and posted on-line, this legislation helps to ensure that the federal government is more responsible, accountable and efficient—all
while allowing us to save taxpayer dollars and cut government waste and redundancies.
It is time to change the way Washington operates. H.Res 623 is just one step of many that must be taken in order for our country to continue
to recovery economically. Congress must be willing to work together, listen to each other and the American people to get the job done
because no one side has a monopoly on good ideas. We must roll up our sleeves and make the tough decisions necessary to once again put
the country back on secure economic footing.
As your Congressman, I will continue to work with both Democrats and Republicans to introduce more commonsense, bipartisan solutions like
H.Res 623 to help us return to the days of a balanced budget and stronger economy.
Sincerely,
Mike Ross
-###-
A fifth generation Arkansan, Congressman Mike Ross of Prescott represents the Fourth Congressional District of Arkansas in the U.S. House
of Representatives. Ross serves on the House Energy & Commerce Committee and serves as the ranking member of the U.S. Delegation to
the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, an association of lawmakers from each of the NATO-member countries. Ross is also Co-Chair of the
Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, Co-Chair of the Second Amendment Task Force and Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of
fiscally conservative Democratic House members that advocates the principles of fiscal responsibility and government accountability.