Dan Webster Introduces THRIFT Act to Cut Federal Waste

U.S. Rep. Dan Webster, R-Fla., introduced the To Help Reduce Inefficient Federal Tendencies (THRIFT) Act on Friday. Webster says his bill empowers federal agencies to examine and cut wasteful spending by encouraging assessment.

Fraud, waste, and abuse are often linked together in discussing Washingtons economic woes, Webster said on Friday. Fraud and abuse are both against the law, but waste is often rewarded. Perverse incentives currently exist that strongly encourage federal agencies to spend every dollar they are appropriated. Reversing that incentive by rewarding efficiency will produce savings to the American taxpayer, improve operation of our federal agencies, and ultimately better services for taxpayers.

In order to curb this practice of rewarding wasteful government spending, I introduced the To Help Reduce Inefficient Federal Tendencies (THRIFT) Act, Webster continued. The THRIFT Act provides a process for federal departments and agencies to evaluate their own spending and to identify measures that will reduce costs and improve efficiency. Public servants know the intricacies of their operations including where the fat could be trimmed without limiting services so the THRIFT Act provides them an actual incentive for blowing the whistle on waste.

Getting our nations fiscal house in order starts with a Congress that is willing to cut waste and live within its means," Webster said in conclusion. Families make these tough fiscal decisions every day. It is time for Washington to get serious about doing more with less.