Kendra S. Horn: “Mr. Speaker, S. 2712 would authorize executive branch departments and agencies to consolidate statutorily mandated…”

“Mr. Speaker, S. 2712 would authorize executive branch departments and agencies to consolidate statutorily mandated financial and performance management reports into one single annual report. The consolidated reports would present in one document an integrated picture of an agency's performance. As such, they will be more useful to Congress, to the executive branch, and to the public. The Office of Management and Budget, which is part of the President's establishment, had temporary authority to consolidate reports on a pilot basis, but that authority expired in April of this year. S. 2712 restores the reports consolidation authority and makes it permanent. The bill also includes provisions that would make the annual reports more useful. The bill would require that the reports include, one, an assessment by the agency head of the reliability of the agency's performance data; and, two, an assessment by the agency Inspector General of the agency's progress in addressing its most serious management challenges. The bill would also move up the deadline for submission of performance reports required under the Government Performance and Results Act, and change that from March 31 to March 1. This earlier deadline would provide more timely information for the budget cycle. Reports on department and agency performance are vital if a President is to have a credible budget.”