As Congress debates ways to responsibly reduce the deficit and stop the sequester, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today announced that she is cosponsoring bipartisan legislation that could help the government save billions of dollars, cut wasteful spending,  and consolidate duplicative programs while protecting important services for New Hampshire families. The Government Waste Reduction Act would advance a series of waste-cutting recommendations that were included in recent reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) but await Congressional action.

“At a time when Congress is in need of balanced, bipartisan ideas to get rid of the sequester and responsibly reduce the deficit, this type of common sense legislation should be a no-brainer,” Kuster said. “The Government Waste Reduction Act will cut through Congressional gridlock to help save billions of dollars and streamline services – all while protecting priorities that seniors and middle class families count on.”

“Cutting waste and duplication in government shouldn’t be a Republican or Democratic issue – it’s just common sense,” Kuster continued. “These proposals alone won’t solve all of our fiscal challenges, but they are sensible steps that will make our government more efficient, effective, and accountable to the American people.”

In 2011 and 2012, the GAO released reports outlining wasteful and duplicative government programs that should be consolidated or eliminated. For example, the reports highlight overlap between 53 federal programs to assist entrepreneurs and small businesses, twenty entities that provide housing assistance, and over 200 Department of Justice grant programs.

The Government Waste Reduction Act would create an independent, bipartisan panel to produce legislation incorporating GAO’s waste-cutting recommendations. This legislative proposal would receive an expedited, up-or-down vote in Congress, and could not include cuts to benefits for seniors, veterans, or military servicemembers.    

The legislation was introduced by freshman Rep. Cheri Bustos (IL-17) and has been cosponsored by members of both parties.

Today’s announcement builds on Kuster’s commitment to bringing Republicans and Democrats together to stop the sequester and reduce the deficit in a balanced, responsible way that will spur job creation, grow the economy, and protect middle class families. In February 2013, Kuster helped establish the United Solutions Caucus, a bipartisan coalition of Republican and Democratic freshmen focused on resolving our nation’s fiscal challenges in a balanced, bipartisan way.

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Press Contact:
Rob Friedlander, (202) 225-5206