Releases

“Each year, the federal government spends $80 billion on federal IT systems, yet much of that is wasted on cost overruns, long delays and outdated programs. By giving decision makers the ability to make changes appropriate for their agency, we can ensure that the most knowledgeable will now be able to enact solutions that had otherwise plagued their agencies. As technology changes, Chief Information Officers were previously prevented from adopting new technologies, and often the American taxpayer missed out on more cost effective options. FITARA fixes this crisis of leadership and ensures that the contracting standard is modernized to handle a changed tech landscape.”

Today, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee held a hearing on implementation of The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act), transformative federal spending transparency legislation that was first introduced by Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Ranking Member Elijah Cummings (D-MD) in 2011 and signed into law this year…

“From the outset, the health law has been the poster child for this Administration’s broken transparency promises,” Chairman Issa said in a statement. “Americans were told if they liked their plans and doctors, they could keep them. They were told the individual mandate wasn’t a tax. None of these were true. Jonathan Gruber, one of ObamaCare’s chief architects, publicly lauded the ‘lack of transparency’ that was necessary to pass the law and credited ‘the stupidity of the American voter’ that allowed the Administration to mislead the public. CMS Administrator Marilyn Tavenner testified before our Committee that the Administration met its goals by enrolling 7.3 million individuals, however we now know that wasn’t the case. The numbers provided by CMS were deceptive and obscured the number of Americans running from exchange plans. The American people deserve honesty, transparency and respect from those who forced the federal government into their healthcare. I expect Mr. Gruber and Administrator Tavenner to testify publicly next month about the arrogance and deceptions surrounding the passage and implementation of ObamaCare.”

“Faced with large numbers of Americans running for an exit from ObamaCare, instead of offering the public an accurate accounting, the Administration offered numbers that obscured and downplayed the number of dropouts. Now they’re saying this was just a ‘mistake.’ The claim that this was only accident stretches credulity. The Administration misreported ObamaCare’s enrollment figures not once, but twice, and officials cautiously changed their statements from ‘health plans’ to ‘MarketPlace coverage,’” the Chairman said.

“Congressman Chaffetz is a valued colleague and demonstrated leader who will continue the work of the Oversight Committee in the next Congress. I am looking forward to working with him on the transition and moving my focus to other responsibilities. I congratulate Jason on his selection and members of the Steering Committee for selecting an experienced leader to continue the pursuit of transparency and accountability in government on behalf of the American people.”

“This study shows that the federal government is falling short in keeping track of so-called ‘official time’ and must make changes to prevent underreporting,” said Chairman Issa. “Taxpayers have the right to know the true cost of the union activity they are funding.”

House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) today made the following statement on the retirement of Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe:  “During his 39 year long tenure at the Postal Service, Donahoe saw firsthand the changing landscape of the industry and was able to uniquely understand how USPS…

“The Export-Import Bank’s classification of small business loans was directly questioned during the Oversight Committee’s July hearing. More importantly, gross inaccuracies in the Bank’s self-reported data make vigorous congressional oversight all the more necessary. It is time for the Bank to stop stonewalling Congress. I expect full compliance with the Committee’s subpoena.”

“The Government Reports Elimination Act reduces waste and duplication in the federal government by eliminating or streamlining 53 unnecessary government reports, said Chairman Issa. “I would especially like to thank Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Rep. Rob Woodall (R-GA), who were original House cosponsors of this bill. This bipartisan reform is a commonsense step in the right direction, reducing duplicative or outdated reports to save taxpayers money.”

“Once again, the Department of Health and Human Services is lowering expectations ahead of ObamaCare’s open enrollment period, a tactic that has become par for the course for this Administration. The prospect of lower enrollment figures should come as no surprise, given ObamaCare’s troubled track record over the last year. Under the President’s health care law, Americans have experienced broken exchanges, cancelled coverage, higher premiums, and unaffordable deductibles. Despite the Administration’s habit of moving the goal posts, the fact is ObamaCare is simply not delivering the results Americans were originally promised by the President.”