Bill Summary
The "Fighting Budget Waste Act" is a proposed legislation aimed at improving the efficiency of the federal budget process. It mandates that when the President prepares the annual budget, they must consider the recommendations from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) regarding ways to reduce inefficiencies, such as fragmentation, overlap, and duplication within government programs. Specifically, the bill requires that the President and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget take into account the GAO's latest report on these issues. Additionally, when the budget is submitted to Congress, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget must also provide a report detailing how the GAO’s recommendations were incorporated into the budget planning. This legislation seeks to promote fiscal responsibility and maximize the effectiveness of government spending.
Possible Impacts
The "Fighting Budget Waste Act" aims to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of government budgeting by requiring the President to consider the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) annual report. Here are three examples of how this legislation could affect people:
1. **Improved Government Services**: By focusing on recommendations from the GAO to reduce duplication and inefficiency, the federal budget could be allocated more effectively. This may result in enhanced government services for citizens, such as better healthcare, education, and infrastructure, as funds are directed to areas where they are most needed.
2. **Increased Transparency and Accountability**: The requirement for the President and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider GAO reports may lead to greater accountability in government spending. Citizens and lawmakers could have better insights into how taxpayer dollars are being spent, which could foster public trust and encourage civic engagement in budgeting processes.
3. **Potential Cuts to Wasteful Programs**: As the GAO identifies areas of fragmentation and overlap in government programs, this legislation could lead to a reevaluation of certain initiatives. This could result in the elimination or restructuring of wasteful programs, which may lead to job losses in specific sectors but could ultimately free up resources for more effective programs that benefit the broader population.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 829 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 829
To amend title 31, United States Code, to require the President to
consider the Government Accountability Office's annual report on how to
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Government when preparing
the President's annual budget submission, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
January 31, 2025
Mr. Pappas (for himself, Mr. Fallon, Mr. Webster of Florida, Mr. Nunn
of Iowa, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and Mr. Case) introduced the following bill;
which was referred to the Committee on the Budget
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend title 31, United States Code, to require the President to
consider the Government Accountability Office's annual report on how to
improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Government when preparing
the President's annual budget submission, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Fighting Budget Waste Act''.
SEC. 2. CONSIDERATION OF GAO REPORT WHEN PREPARING ANNUAL BUDGET
SUBMISSION.
Section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, is amended by adding
at the end the following:
``(j)(1) When preparing any budget pursuant to subsection (a) for a
fiscal year, the President and the Director of the Office of Management
and Budget shall consider information and recommendations contained in
the most recently published Government Accountability Office report
titled `Additional Opportunities to Reduce Fragmentation, Overlap, and
Duplication and Achieve Billions of Dollars in Financial Benefits' (or
any successor report).
``(2) On the date such budget is submitted to Congress, the
Director shall submit a report to Congress on the Office's findings
with respect to such information and recommendations.''.
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