GAO said executive branch agencies and Congress have generally made progress in addressing 162 previously identified areas: 30 of the 162 areas (19 percent) were addressed, 99 (61 percent) were partially addressed, and 25 (15 percent) were not addressed.
It said that out of about 380 actions needed in these areas, 124 (32 percent) were addressed, 172 (44 percent) were partially addressed, and 74 (19 percent) were not addressed.
For example, its 2011 report stated that Congress could save up to $5 billion annually by reducing or eliminating direct payments to farmers, which are based on a farms historical crop production – regardless of whether they even grow crops or in some cases far exceed that historical production. The Agricultural Act of 2014 eliminated direct payments and should save close to $5 billion from fiscal 2015 – 2023, according to a CBO analysis.
The report notes that securing the necessary leadership support to address issues that span multiple agencies can be difficult. Just 26 percent of prior fragmentation, overlap, and duplication actions directed to more than one agency have been fully addressed.
The White House issued a statement in support of GAO’s work and said its budget request reflects efforts to reduce duplication, such as by an expanded use of strategic sourcing, which relies on central procurement vehicles that can be used by all federal agencies, bringing down prices and making it easier to purchase common goods and services. The White House also called attention to a Farm Services Administration field office consolidation plan included in the administration’s budget request. Under this plan the FSA would close or consolidate some 250 offices for a savings estimate of $39 million.
