This piece originally appeared in The Hill.
The House’s recent aversion of a government shutdown through a continuing resolution without any serious spending cuts is an unsurprising disappointment for fiscal conservatives looking to rein in our profligacy. But while it’s no surprise that the House avoided the usual radioactive spending issues, the very least that we should expect from House Republicans and their new Speaker is a greater push for commonsense, nonpartisan savings wherever possible.
A recent report from the Government Accountability Office shows a good place to start. In its performance and accountability report for FY2023, “Congress’s watchdog” once again showed both its value to the American taxpayer, and the need and opportunity to cut wasteful spending and improve governance. The willingness to act on that opportunity should serve as a test of Republicans’ credibility when they call for a more responsible, accountable government.
