Amendment adopted by the Senate would direct OMB to cut at least $5 billion in waste identified by the GAO
WASHINGTON, DC— U.S. Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) today voted for an amendment to direct the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to cut at least $5 billion in wasteful and duplicative government programs. The vote was the first step toward making cuts identified in a GAO report released last month that outlined 81 specific recommendations on programs that should be eliminated, streamlined or consolidated.
“As a former Auditor General and State Treasurer I know that there is government waste to be rooted out,” said Senator Casey. “GAO has provided a roadmap, now it must be followed. The amendment I voted on today would require that immediate steps to be taken to cut $5 billion in spending. Moving forward, more action must be taken to reduce government waste and reduce the deficit.”
The amendment introduced by Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Mark Warner (D-VA) was adopted by a vote of 64-36.
The amendment would require the Office or Management and Budget (OMB) and the executive branch departments and agencies to reduce at least $5 billion by eliminating, consolidating, or streamlining government programs and agencies with duplicative and overlapping missions. OMB would also be required to identify and report to Congress any legislative changes required to further eliminate, consolidate, or streamline government programs and agencies with duplicative and overlapping missions.
For a complete list of the GAO duplication and consolidation recommendations see the full report at: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-11-318SP.
