Bob Beauprez: “I and many of my Republican colleagues calling ourselves the Washington Waste Watchers are concerned about…”

“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.”