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The WasteWatcherThe 21st AIRR Act Takes Off
On June 22, 2017, House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) introduced H.R. 2997, the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization (AIRR) Act. The legislation will provide...
The WasteWatcherUSPS: Carrying Water (Not Mail) for Secretary Clinton
On July 19, 2017, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs (HSGAC) held a hearing titled, “The Postal Service’s Actions During the 2016 Campaign Season: Implications for the Hatch Act.” During testimony from both the United...
The WasteWatcherDebt Ceiling: A Good Vehicle for Budget Process Reform
On March 7, 2017, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) announced that if the debt ceiling was not raised or extended before March 16, the U.S. Treasury would be unable to borrow funds for standard operating procedures. Since then, the Treasury has...
The WasteWatcherMaking the Case for Dynamic Scoring
When Congress considers legislation to lower taxes, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) will be using dynamic scoring to help estimate its cost. In 2015, Congress required CBO to use dynamic scoring on legislation with an impact of at least 0.25...
The WasteWatcherStep Back, Doors Closing: D.C.’s Subway Debacle
For anyone familiar with the subway system in Washington, D.C., the warning, “step back, doors closing,” alerts riders to the dangers of trying to beat the trains’ automatic doors, which are not as forgiving as those on elevators. The Washington...
The WasteWatcherAmerica First, Duplicative Programs Last
On March 16, 2017, the White House released its budget, “America First – A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again.” This “skinny budget” increases spending for defense by $54 billion and cuts an equal amount of money for duplicative and...
The WasteWatcherThe Debt Ceiling: Extraordinary Measures and Where to Find Them
On March 7, 2017, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) announced that if the debt ceiling was not raised or extended before March 16, the Treasury will be unable to borrow funds for
The WasteWatcherThe Postal Service Reform Act Does Not Deliver
It is no secret that the United States Postal Service (USPS) is broke and broken. The agency’s low standards of delivery are rarely achieved, it has billions in losses and unfunded liabilities, and it has failed to adapt to changing markets. ...
The WasteWatcherHow to Make the Budget Great Again
With the beginning of a new administration, the best and brightest in leadership are often selected to advise the President. House Budget Committee Chairman Tom Price, M.D. (R-Ga.), who has been nominated as the secretary of Health and Human...
The WasteWatcherPower of the Purse and Budget Process Reform
Since the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) was first passed, Congress has been able to pass the 12 appropriations bills on time on only three occasions; the most recent was in 1997. Although the CBA has been amended seve
The WasteWatcherUSPS Board of Governors Now Empty
On December 8, 2016, Chairman James Bilbray of the U.S.
The WasteWatcherTime to Cut the Billions in Improper Payments
When the average American sees an incorrect charge on his or her credit card statement, a quick to call the bank ensues to ensure that the money is promptly returned. Unfortunately, the federal government is not as efficient. Since 2010, federal...
