Duplication Scoring Act of 2025
Summary
The Duplication Scoring Act of 2025 aims to reduce redundancy in federal programs by requiring the Comptroller General to analyze proposed legislation for potential overlap with existing initiatives. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) would identify new programs, offices, or initiatives that duplicate or overlap with existing ones. This information would then be submitted to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and relevant committees, and published on the GAO website.
Expected Effects
The act would likely increase transparency and potentially reduce wasteful government spending by highlighting areas of duplication. It empowers the CBO to include GAO findings in their cost estimates, potentially influencing legislative decisions. This could lead to more efficient allocation of resources and better-informed policy making.
Potential Benefits
- Increased transparency in government spending.
- Potential reduction in wasteful spending due to program duplication.
- Improved efficiency in resource allocation.
- Better-informed legislative decisions through CBO analysis.
- Greater accountability for federal programs.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential delays in legislative processes due to required GAO analysis.
- Increased workload for the GAO and CBO.
- Possible disagreements between agencies on what constitutes duplication.
- Risk of hindering potentially beneficial new programs due to perceived overlap.
- The effectiveness depends on the rigor and accuracy of GAO's analysis.
Constitutional Alignment
The Duplication Scoring Act aligns with the Constitution's emphasis on efficient governance and responsible use of taxpayer money. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises, implying a responsibility to spend those funds wisely. The Act seeks to improve government efficiency, which is consistent with the general welfare clause.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).