John Tanner said "I am concerned about a recent GAO report that identifies more than $180 million in unused construction funds from prior year appropriations at the Department of Energy. Among the GAO lists are 45 completed or terminated construction projects with carryover funds totaling around $46 million. It is my understanding that these funds can remain on the books for years and that DOE can reprogram those leftover funds as the need arises, sometimes on projects completely unrelated to the original intent of Congress. In the current budget climate at present, it seems to me this accounting procedure may be flawed, and as we work toward balancing our books and exercise congressional prerogatives in terms of directing how these leftover funds are used, these unneeded carryover funds should be used for deficit reduction or at least to ease shortfalls that can occur in the otherwise austere budget climate." @ PoliticalQuotes.com

On the recordJuly 24, 1996

I am concerned about a recent GAO report that identifies more than $180 million in unused construction funds from prior year appropriations at the Department of Energy. Among the GAO lists are 45 completed or terminated construction projects with carryover funds totaling around $46 million. It is my understanding that these funds can remain on the books for years and that DOE can reprogram those leftover funds as the need arises, sometimes on projects completely unrelated to the original intent of Congress. In the current budget climate at present, it seems to me this accounting procedure may be flawed, and as we work toward balancing our books and exercise congressional prerogatives in terms of directing how these leftover funds are used, these unneeded carryover funds should be used for deficit reduction or at least to ease shortfalls that can occur in the otherwise austere budget climate.

Said by

John Tanner

Tennessee

Source

govinfo.gov

Editor's note · Context

Addressing concerns about unused construction funds at the Department of Energy during a discussion on budget appropriations.

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