"A Washington First," says Schatz.

(Washington, D.C.) - Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) today applauded the Bush Administration for introducing a Washington first — a budget that actually ties funding to performance. 

"We congratulate President Bush and Office of Management and Budget Director Mitch Daniels for their focus on accountability," CAGW President Tom Schatz said.  "Today, for the first time, a White House budget lists programs that are working and those that are not giving the taxpayers their money's worth.  The budget is readable, organized by department and agency instead of budget function, identifies congressional earmarks, and calls for re-targeting low-priority and ineffective programs to more important programs such as defense, intelligence, and homeland security.  This is a welcome development in the effort to make government more effective and less costly."

"CAGW has called on government to determine budget funding based on performance and results, rate programs by effectiveness, transfer mismanaged funds to defense and other vital priorities, cut duplication, and target congressional earmarks since our inception 18 years ago," CAGW President Tom Schatz said.  "After so many years swimming against the Washington waste tide, we are pleased to see an administration adopt substantial portions of CAGW's government reform agenda."

"From now on, federal programs will be judged by what they accomplish, not how much they spend," Schatz also said.  "It's up to Congress to decide whether it will continue funding ineffective programs at a time or war and recession — or at any time." 

"Yesterday, the improbable happened at the Super Bowl.  That game demonstrated that teamwork and diligence can overcome long odds.  It will take similar focus in Washington to contravene the historic tendency to ignore reform and continue to earmark funds for pork projects back home.  Success in reforming the waste status quo would be a huge victory for all Americans and a true demonstration of patriotism at this time of war, recession, and deficits," Schatz added.  "When we remember that President Franklin Roosevelt cut non-defense spending by 20 percent during World War II, and that President Harry Truman cut his Korean War budget by 28 percent, it becomes clear that these reforms are small sacrifices for Washington to make."

"We hope the public understands the significant changes being made in this budget, and that the hard work of getting Congress to accept these reforms is just beginning," Schatz concluded.

Citizens Against Government Waste is the nation's largest nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement in government.