On January 26, 2023, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) released its Critical Waste Issues for the 118th Congress. The publication is a concentrated list of some of the most important proposals that CAGW believes will result in a smaller and more efficient government.
The budget deficit was $2.8 trillion in fiscal year (FY) 2021, the second largest in history, and $1.4 trillion in FY 2022, the fourth largest in history. The national debt is $31.5 trillion, and the cost of paying the interest on the debt is greater than anticipated due to rising interest rates. There could not be a more critical time for action to reduce government waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement, and rein in the size and scope of the federal government.
From budget reform, healthcare, technology, telecommunications, privacy, and defense spending to civil service and regulatory reform, Critical Waste Issues for the 118th Congress details 13 policy areas that require immediate attention, including a chapter on increasing accountability, oversight, and transparency in government. As the new Congress sets its legislative priorities, these recommendations should be considered and implemented.
