[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H9739]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
WASHINGTON WASTE WATCH
The SPEAKER. Pursuant to the order of the House of January 7, 2003,
the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Beauprez) is recognized during morning
hour debates for 1 minute.
Mr. BEAUPREZ. Mr. Speaker, I and many of my Republican colleagues
calling ourselves the Washington Waste Watchers are concerned about
out-of-control spending by the Federal Government. Especially
concerning to us is waste, fraud, and abuse that is far too prevalent
here in Washington. Allow me to highlight but a few examples.
Duplication of programs wastes enormous human and financial
resources. By government reports we know that there are 342 separate
economic development programs, 130 programs serving the disabled, 130
different programs serving at-risk youth, 90 early childhood
development programs, 72 separate Federal programs dedicated to
assuring safe water, 50 homeless assistance programs, 12 food safety
agencies, and 23 separate agencies providing aid to the former Soviet
Union.
Yet, Mr. Speaker, if ever we propose to consolidate or eliminate
duplicitous programs to save taxpayers money, we are called heartless
and insensitive rather than fiscally responsible.
I call on my colleagues from both sides of the aisle to tone down the
rhetoric of class warfare and pull together for the common good of the
people who have entrusted us as their representatives in this great
Chamber.
____________________