What Happened?

Nearly $300 billion in potential federal savings is sitting on a shelf in Washington, waiting for Congress to act. A May 12 report from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the nonpartisan agency that audits how the federal government spends money, found 277 unresolved recommendations that could strengthen federal finances and improve government operations.

Of those, 53 carry price tags. Thirteen could each save $1 billion or more on their own.

Why Does it Matter to Me?

The single largest item, equalizing what Medicare pays for the same medical service depending on where it is performed, could save close to $157 billion over 10 years. Right now, Medicare pays different rates to hospitals, outpatient clinics, and doctors' offices for identical procedures. The GAO says bringing those rates in line could cut costs across the entire program.

Two other big-ticket items stand out:

  • Reauthorizing FirstNet, the national broadband network built for police, firefighters, and emergency responders after the Sept. 11 attacks, could provide $15 billion in financial benefits over 15 years. The program is set to expire.
  • Requiring the Social Security Administration to reduce disability payments for people who are also collecting unemployment benefits at the same time could save $2.2 billion over 10 years.

For everyday Americans, the stakes connect directly to debates over federal debt, Medicare's long-term solvency, and whether emergency responders can communicate during a crisis.

Both Sides, Now

The GAO report does not assign blame or speculate on why Congress has not acted. What the data shows is that the barrier is not a lack of proposals. The GAO identified legislation already drafted and pending related to 21 of these matters. They just have not moved.

Some of the stalled items involve politically difficult choices, such as reducing what Medicare pays certain providers or tightening benefit eligibility. Others touch on information technology upgrades for federal agencies, which could reduce security risks and prevent program failures.

Congress itself requested this accounting. The report was issued under a requirement in the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, meaning lawmakers asked for this list. The GAO has tracked these matters since 2000, and the agency says nearly 80 percent of the more than 1,150 recommendations made since then have been closed. The remaining 277 are the ones still waiting.

The oldest open matter, related to food safety oversight, has been on the GAO's High-Risk List for nearly 25 years. A total of 123 matters have been pending for more than five years.

What Happens Next?

Congress holds the power to act on every item in this report. No executive order can close most of these gaps. Legislation must pass both chambers and be signed into law. The GAO says the financial benefits are already quantified and the policy options are vetted. There is no scheduled vote or hearing tied to this report. Until lawmakers take up the individual bills connected to these recommendations, the potential savings remain unrealized.

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