(Washington, DC)– US Representative Sue Myrick (R-NC-09) and Congressman Jim Cooper (D-TN-05) today introduced a bipartisan resolution to prevent the creation of duplicative federal programs.

The bill amends the House rules to ensure that that every bill reported out of its Committee of jurisdiction contains the following:

1.      An analysis by the Congressional Research Service to determine if the bill creates any new federal program, office, or initiative that would duplicate or overlap any existing federal program with similar goals;

2.      An explanation by the Committee as to why the program is necessary if one already exists;

3.      If the bill does create an overlapping program, office or initiative, it is not in order unless the Committee has prepared and posted on its website an analysis and explanation for the bill.

“Duplicative federal programs equal waste, and wasting tax dollars is exactly what the American people want their government to stop doing” Rep. Myrick said. “The government can’t begin to operate within its means if it doesn’t stop wasting money creating programs that already exist. I thank Congressman Cooper for his support in keeping our word to the American people to get our fiscal house in order.”

“Our government is bloated by too many wasteful and redundant federal programs,” said Congressman Jim Cooper. “It is time to cut the fat. Congress needs to tighten its belt and take better care of taxpayer dollars.” 

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently released a report identifying hundreds of duplicative and overlapping programs costing approximately $217 billion a year. Cutting these programs could save billions of dollars. GAO found 47 separate job training programs, 88 economic development programs, 82 teacher quality programs, and 56 financial literacy programs.

Senators Coburn, Udall, McCaskill and Paul have taken similar action  in the Senate.