WASHINGTON – U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Tom Coburn (R-OK) successfully amended Senate legislation today directing the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to find at least $5 billion in savings identified in a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report on reducing government duplication. Specifically, the amendment directs OMB to use its available administrative authority to eliminate and consolidate overlapping government programs and apply those cost savings to federal deficit reduction. 

The vote on the Warner/Coburn Amendment was 64-36. It is not clear when a vote will be scheduled on the underlying legislation.

“As our nation waits to see whether or not we can reach an agreement on current fiscal year spending and avoid a government shutdown, Senator Coburn and I offer this amendment to take some meaningful initial steps to reduce our national debt by saving at least $5 billion in wasteful federal spending,” Senator Warner said. “The March 1^st  GAO report identified 34 policy areas with overlapping or duplicative activities. While $5 billion admittedly is ‘small ball’ when compared  to our $1.6 trillion deficit and $14 trillion debt, this represents a  beginning. It shows we will explore every opportunity to cut costs and save taxpayer money.”

“If the debate about the CR is the end of our efforts to streamline government, both parties and the country have already lost.  I’m confident we could save taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars without harming Americans who need vital services.  And, in many cases, smart consolidations will improve the quality of those services,” said Dr. Coburn. “The GAO report tells us how by identifying a mother lode of government waste and duplication.  Our amendment is a measured and common sense first step.” 

The text of the amendment can be viewed here