[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 19, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E75-E76]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    STOP THE OVERPRINTING (STOP) ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. LAURA RICHARDSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, January 18, 2011

  Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few minutes today 
to discuss the continued need in Congress for reduced administrative 
spending and increased accountability to the American people.
  In a time when we are keenly aware of the need for civility and 
cooperation in order to improve the American quality of life, I believe 
there is at least one thing both Democrats and Republicans can agree on 
and which should be the springboard towards meaningful change.
  This belief is that the federal government has an obligation to the 
American people to be stewards of their hard-earned taxpayer dollars by 
operating in an efficient manner and to reduce spending whenever 
possible.

[[Page E76]]

  For this reason, I support bills like H.R. 292, the Stop the 
OverPrinting Act, which will help eliminate the wasteful production of 
unnecessary copies of bills and resolutions in Congress.
  The STOP Act will not only do its part for the environment by 
reducing Congress' paper consumption, but it will also take a step, 
even if just a small one, towards more efficient operations, increased 
accountability and reduced government spending. As we are all aware in 
this economy, every little bit helps.
  The STOP Act was introduced by my colleague from across the aisle, 
the honorable gentleman from New York, Christopher Lee. I am happy to 
stand in bipartisan support and know that there will be many 
opportunities in the future to find common ground and remain 
accountable to the hard working citizens we represent.
  In fact, I would like to mention one such opportunity I offered 
during the 111th Congress and which I plan to reintroduce in the 112th, 
the Cost Recovery and Fair Value for Services Act. This legislation 
will help us meet our obligation to the American people by ensuring 
that the federal agencies within the executive branch set their user 
fees for services provided at rates that are both equitable and cost-
effective.
  This act would require the chief financial officer of every federal 
agency to provide a report to the director of the Office of Management 
and Budget which would review fees charged for services provided and 
make recommendations based on equitability with consideration to a 
user's ability to pay and the extent to which the use of the service 
provides a public benefit.
  By setting appropriate user fee rates, agencies can contribute to the 
shared fiscal responsibility that our current economic situation 
demands without overburdening the public or inhibiting public 
engagement.
  It is my hope that when this legislation arrives on the House floor, 
colleagues from both parties will share the same bipartisan spirit I 
exhibit today and support my efforts to control wasteful spending and 
restore fiscal accountability.

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