WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Todd Tiahrt (R-Kan.) today testified before the House Committee on Government Reform in support of Tiahrt’s “Government Efficiency Act” (H.R. 5766). This legislation would establish a commission to conduct a comprehensive review of federal agencies and programs and offer recommendations that would make government more efficient by removing waste, fraud, and abuse. GEA requires Congressional consideration of the review’s findings under expedited legislative rules.

“Time and again, we see Congressionally authorized programs become institutionalized, ultimately becoming permanent fixtures with little justification behind their continued existence,” said Tiahrt. “This wastes taxpayer money and ties up precious Federal resources that could be used toward paying down the national debt or funding higher Congressional priorities.”

Government Reform Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-Va.) and Rep. Jon Porter (R-Nev.) have joined Tiahrt in sponsoring the bill. Several taxpayer watchdog groups, including Citizens Against Government Waste and the American Taxpayers Union have endorsed GEA. Tiahrt expects the legislation to have sufficient committee support to make it out of committee and to the House floor sometime in July.