Senator Hassan Leads Hearing Examining Annual GAO Duplication Report to Help Cut Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in the Federal Government

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Chair of the Emerging Threats and Spending Oversight Subcommittee, led a Subcommittee hearing to examine findings from the 2023 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) on how to reduce duplication, overlap, and fragmentation in the federal government and save taxpayer dollars. This hearing is part of Senator Hassan’s work across the aisle to cut waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars in the federal government and her focus on fiscal responsibility.

To watch Senator Hassan’s questioning, click here.

Senator Hassan began by asking GAO Comptroller General Eugene Dodaro about one of the main focuses of the report, “fragmentation,” or when multiple agencies are involved in an area and lack of communication leads to inefficiencies and ineffectiveness. Senator Hassan used the example of providing cybersecurity resources to K-12 schools, and asked about what agencies can do to proactively coordinate and avoid fragmentation.

Senator Hassan later highlighted the need for congressional action in order to prevent fraud in relief payments, citing the report’s findings that greater efficiency, such as improving transparency, data sharing, and oversight, can lead to cost savings and prevent fraud. Senator Hassan discussed the importance of preventing fraud in federal payments while also making sure that we deliver emergency aid as quickly as possible.

Senator Hassan also spoke about how to ensure that federal agencies are using taxpayer dollars responsibly and asked Mr. Dodaro what agencies can do to make sure they are considering available property before buying new items.

Lastly, Senator Hassan asked if Mr. Dodaro is satisfied with agency progress on the recommendations made in past GAO duplication reports. She asked what more Congress can do to ensure that agencies are implementing GAO recommendations in order to improve services for the American people. Senator Hassan said, “The effective and frugal use of taxpayer dollars is part of customer service.”

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