GAO chief calls for effort to rethink federal priorities

GAO chief calls for effort to rethink federal priorities

By David Hatch, National Journal's Technology Daily
The Government Accountability Office on Wednesday released a report calling for a comprehensive re-evaluation of federal spending, including fresh approaches to utilizing technology and boosting the nation's return on its research investments.

The report (GAO-05-325SP) was released at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on transforming government.

At the hearing, senators and U.S. Comptroller General David Walker of the GAO warned that the government needs to dramatically curtail spending to prevent fiscal disaster.

"We've got to face this, and we've got to tighten our belt," said Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut, the ranking Democrat on the committee. He said the budget process "has broken down in Congress."

The GAO report urges the government to examine ways to improve scientific and technological innovation, by such measures as increasing the return on investments in federally funded research, adding incentives to encourage private-sector collaboration, and developing a more technically proficient workforce. In addition, it urges the government to explore using advanced technologies to better protect the nation.

http://govexec.com/dailyfed/0205/021605tdpm1.htm