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Press Release Published: Jul 24, 2013

Oversight Approves Bills to Stop Government Abuse

WASHINGTON – Today, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee advanced four bills designed to hold the federal government more accountable to taxpayers.

“These commonsense reforms will curb government excess and help taxpayers hold their government accountable,” said Committee Chairman Darrell Issa, R-Calif.

“With a growing list of abuses by federal agencies, Americans are rapidly losing trust in government,” said Rep. Mark Meadows, R-NC, sponsor of one bill approved today. “At the same time, bureaucrats collect large bonuses, often without merit, at the expense of hardworking taxpayers. In fiscal year 2011, 75% of Senior Executive Service employees throughout the federal government received bonuses at an average of $10,889 per person. The government’s decision to furlough hundreds of regular, often blue-collar federal workers while senior employees cash in is unacceptable.”

  • H.R. 1541, the Common Sense in Compensation Act, introduced by Rep. Mark Meadows, R-NC, was adopted by a voice vote. The legislation limits the size of bonuses to senior federal executives and limits the number of senior agency employees who may receive awards in any given year.
  • H.R. 2711, the Citizen Empowerment Act, introduced by Rep. Lynn Jenkins, R-Kan., was adopted by a voice vote. The legislation guarantees that Americans have the right to record meetings and phone calls with federal regulators engaged in enforcement activities.
  • H.R. 2579, the Government Employee Accountability Act, introduced by Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa., was adopted by a voice vote. The legislation allows agencies to place employees on unpaid leave when they are under investigation for certain serious offenses. Similar legislation unanimously passed the House of Representatives last year but died in the Senate.
  • H.R. 1660, the Government Customer Service Improvement Act, introduced by Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Rep. Mike McCaul, R-Texas, was adopted by a voice vote. The legislation requires agencies to adopt customer service standards and to use customer service feedback in agency and personnel reviews.

The bills are among measures expected to be considered soon by the full House of Representatives.

For more details including a full list of legislation considered click here.