United States Government Publishing Office publisher pbl distributor dst United States Government Accountability Office Accounting and Information Management Division author aut Government Organization text government publication eng GAOREPORTS Legislative Agency Publications gao legislative 2010-08-12 U.S. Government Printing Office 2000-02-01 monographic deposited born digital 27 p. GA 1.13:T-AIMD-00-73 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-00-73 P0b002ee18037279e f:ai00073t DGPO 2010-08-12 2011-03-28 GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-00-73 machine generated eng fdlp REPORT GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-00-73 T-AIMD-00-73 Budget surplus Budget administration Fiscal policies Congressional oversight Productivity in government Cost effectiveness analysis Performance measures Redundancy Federal aid programs Federal downsizing Social Security Program Medicare Program USDA Market Access Program Medicare Incentive Payment Program Community Development Block Grant Medicaid Program FEMA Public Assistance Program FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Medicare Choice Program DOD Defense Reform Initiative Army Comanche Helicopter Program Army Crusader System Paladin Howitzer Pzh 2000 Self-Propelled Howitzer F-22 Aircraft F/A-18E/F Aircraft Joint Strike Fighter New Zealand Norway Testimony AIMD The United States stands at a crossroads. After nearly 30 years of federal deficits, a combination of hard policy choices and remarkable economic growth has led to a budget surplus. The Congressional Budget Office projects both unified and on-budget surpluses throughout the next 10 years. Continuing budget surpluses, however, will neither eliminate the need for prudent stewardship of the national economy nor absolve the government of its responsibility to make good use of taxpayer dollars. The Comptroller General's testimony discusses selected performance challenges within federal agencies and programs and possible changes to congressional oversight to help address such problems. Drawing on the breadth of GAO's work, the Comptroller General provides examples that respond to the following five thematic questions: What federal services could be better provided by the private sector? What federal subsidies to individuals, businesses, or state and local governments are no longer needed or poorly targeted? What overlapping or fragmented programs could be consolidated or better coordinated? What federal facilities or locations are outmoded, ineffective, or in excess to requirements? In which areas could major federal capital investments be more cost effective? In related correspondence, GAO provides a list of federal programs, projects, activities, and facilities that Congress could consider for possible termination, reduction, deferral, or reform. (See GAO/OCG-00-3R, Nov. 1.) https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-00-73/html/GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-00-73.htm https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-00-73/pdf/GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-00-73.pdf GAO/T-AIMD-00-73 https://www.govinfo.gov/app/details/GAOREPORTS-T-AIMD-00-73 Testimony GAO/T-AIMD-00-73; Budget Issues: Effective Oversight and Budget Discipline; Budget surplus Budget administration Fiscal policies Congressional oversight Productivity in government Cost effectiveness analysis Performance measures Redundancy Federal aid programs Federal downsizing Social Security Program Medicare Program USDA Market Access Program Medicare Incentive Payment Program Community Development Block Grant Medicaid Program FEMA Public Assistance Program FEMA National Flood Insurance Program Medicare Choice Program DOD Defense Reform Initiative Army Comanche Helicopter Program Army Crusader System Paladin Howitzer Pzh 2000 Self-Propelled Howitzer F-22 Aircraft F/A-18E/F Aircraft Joint Strike Fighter New Zealand Norway