Business Roundtable

Washington – A new General Accounting Office (GAO) report detailing government inefficiencies demonstrates the importance of moving ahead with government reorganization, President John Engler of Business Roundtable (BRT) said today.

The 2012 annual report, “Opportunities to Reduce Duplication, Overlap and Fragmentation, Achieve Savings, and Enhance Revenue,” identifies 51 areas where federal programs could be made more efficient and cost-effective.

“At a time when we are facing record deficits, the GAO report should be mandatory reading for members of Congress seeking to balance the budget,” Engler said.

BRT in January urged Congress to restore the authority, available to all presidents until the 1980s, to reorganize the government, eliminate waste and improve efficiency.

In February, the Obama administration also sent Congress proposed legislation, the Consolidating and Reforming Government Act, to revive that authority. The President’s FY2013 budget also recommended numerous cuts, consolidations and savings, Engler noted.

“We are pleased the administration is making serious efforts to streamline government,” Engler said. “Still, there remain significant opportunities to achieve further savings.”

“To that end, Business Roundtable today renews our strong commitment and call for restoring the President’s authority to reorganize the executive branch,” Engler said. “Americans in the 21^st century deserve a 21^st century government.”