National Record of Accomplishments
When Fred Thompson ran for the Senate he promised the people of Tennessee that he would work to protect our national security, make government work for families, and improve the way Washington does business. Since he took office in 1994, he's made good on those promises with a record of achievement and leadership.
Protecting National Security
Senator Thompson is a well-respected and knowledgeable leader on foreign policy and national security affairs. He was recently named to serve on the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence as well as the prestigious National Security Working Group, which observes and monitors Executive Branch negotiations with foreign governments on a range of national security topics.
Senator Thompson believes that the United States has a unique role in the world given our economic prosperity, military power, and the strength of our principles, democratic ideals, and values. He believes the United States should be active in promoting the concepts of free trade and open markets, holding other countries responsible for their actions and affairs, yet acting firmly and clearly where our national interests and values are at stake.
As Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Thompson held more than a dozen hearings on important national security issues, including the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons) and missile technology and the relaxation of export controls and sensitive "dual use" items.
Last year, he introduced the China Nonproliferation Act, which confronts proliferation by "key supplier" countries like China and Russia to rogue nations like Iran, Iraq, and Libya. This is a dangerous problem that threatens our nation's security and important interests. The bill requires an annual review of these countries' proliferation activities, establishes clear standards, reasonable penalties, adequate presidential waivers, congressional oversight, and much-needed transparency.
In September, Thompson was successful in bringing the measure to the floor during the debate on Permanent Normal Trade Status for China. The debate on the Thompson amendment provided the Senator with a valuable opportunity to bring the proliferation issue to the forefront and highlight the problem for his colleagues and the nation. In the coming year, Thompson will continue his efforts to combat the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
Senator Thompson has also been at the forefront of the debate on national missile defense. The threats to our country are growing largely because of weapons proliferation to rogue states. The Intelligence Community and a variety of independent commissions have determined that North Korea may have the means of striking the U.S. with a missile by 2005. As a result of these threats, Thompson is a strong supporter of a robust, multi-tier national missile defense.
He also supports increased funding for the military, with particular emphasis on expanding the force structure to deal with known threats, building new weapons and providing better training for our armed forces. Most importantly, he believes that our military personnel deserve higher pay, better benefits, improved health care, and more predictability for themselves and their families. This also includes providing military retirees and veterans with the programs and benefits that our country owes them for their service.
Thompson was successful in the 106th Congress in leading a bipartisan effort to pass legislation requiring the federal government to take responsibility for illnesses incurred by men and women who worked Department of Energy (DOE) facilities in Tennessee and across the country. His legislation establishing a compensation program for workers suffering from illnesses linked to their service at DOE facilities was approved as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.
"This is a victory for the men and women who helped this country win the Cold War," Thompson said. "It's been a long, hard fight, but Congress made good on its obligation to those who are suffering as a result of their service to our country."
In 1998, Thompson was chosen by Senate leadership to serve on the special Senate task force to examine whether the Chinese government improperly obtained American satellite and missile technology. His Governmental Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on International Security and Proliferation held hearings to determine whether export control laws are effective in keeping dangerous, dual-use military technology out of the hands of potential adversaries. As a result, Congress returned satellite export control authority to the State Department.
Making Government Work for Families
In 1999, Senator Thompson joined the Senate Finance Committee, where he is working to cut taxes and reform our Social Security and Medicare programs so they will be there for future generations. Thompson is a member of a bi-partisan group of senators endorsing a plan to reform Social Security by cutting payroll taxes and allowing workers to invest in personal savings accounts, while at the same time making structural reforms to the program to ensure its solvency for future retirees.
Thompson has teamed up with Budget Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) to push for a biennial budget. This bipartisan measure would end the yearly budget battle in Congress and replace it with a less repetitive process that enacts a two-year budget every other year.
"We create a lot of expensive agencies and programs, and then we pretty much turn our backs on them while they run for years and years," Thompson said. "A biennial budget would give us time to delve into what's working and what's not ? and it would also encourage members of Congress to stay in closer contact with constituents by freeing up more time for them to spend in their home states."
Improving the Way Washington Does Business
Senator Thompson came to Washington with a basic belief that the federal government should be smaller, more efficient, and more accountable. To make that goal a reality, he has worked for and achieved a string of significant reforms, becoming what USA Today called, "a leader on a range of clean-up Washington issues."
Thompson has taken the lead on the issue of campaign finance reform, consistently co- sponsoring a bipartisan bill to ban "soft money," the unlimited, unregulated cash raised by political parties. Thompson said, "We must get back to winning elections, not on the basis of who can raise the most money, but on the basis of competition of ideas." He believes that reform of the way in which campaigns are financed is critical to Congress' accountably in other areas. He recently cosponsored the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2001, the latest version of the McCain-Feingold campaign reform bill, which bans soft money contributions, restricts corporate and union spending on campaign ads, and provides for greater disclosure and stronger election laws.
At the start of the 105th Congress, Senator Thompson's colleagues elected him Chairman of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs, making him among the most junior senators in history to serve as a major chairman. This Committee is charged with broad oversight of federal agencies, and Thompson used the post to demand accountability in government.
During the 106th Congress, he authored and passed several important pieces of legislation to change the way Washington works.
Following hearings in the Governmental Affairs Committee that highlighted our nation's vulnerability to computer attacks - from terrorists, crime rings, and hackers - Senator Thompson authored the Government Information Security Act. The legislation, which was signed into law, provides a new framework for protecting the government's computers from outside attack by hackers.
"Effective computer security starts with effective management and this legislation will help federal agencies get a handle on preventing hackers from wreaking havoc with citizens' sensitive information," Thompson said.
In the area of regulatory reform, Thompson joined a bipartisan group of Senators to pass the Regulatory Right-to-Know Act. The Act requires the White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to disclose to the public the costs and benefits of regulatory programs, as well as an analysis of the impact of federal regulations on state, local, and tribal governments, small business, and economic growth.
"People have a right to know the costs and benefits of important regulatory decisions. This will help the Congress, the President, and the public better understand whether regulations are sensible and fair," Thompson said.
Thompson also scored a victory in the 106th Congress for those concerned about privacy protection on federal web sites. In December, Congress approved his legislation to ensure that Congress and the public are made aware of potential privacy violations on federal agency Internet sites. In October, Thompson released a General Accounting Office report revealing that many agencies were still using cookies - information-gathering devices that can be used to track the activities of Internet users - on their web sites without disclosing their use.
The American people have a right to know what information is being collected about them on federal web sites," Thompson said. "This bill will ensure that we know about agencies' data collection practices so that we in Congress can make sure that privacy rights of citizens are not being violated. The federal government should be setting the standard for privacy protection in cyberspace." The Thompson privacy amendment will require the Inspector General of each agency to report to Congress on how the agency collects and reviews personal information on its web site.
Shortly after he became chairman, Thompson worked with the General Accounting Office to unveil the first ever audit of the federal government. "The government failed miserably," Thompson said. "The government's deteriorating accounting systems put Congress at a severe disadvantage because we lack reliable information to assess program performance, control costs, and stop widespread waste, fraud, and abuse. We must do better."
Thompson has held a series of hearings and released numerous reports highlighting waste, fraud and abuse involving taxpayer dollars. In 2000, he introduced legislation that would require the use of a technique called ?recovery auditing,' which would be applied to a federal agency's records to identify improper payments or payment errors made by federal agencies.
"Over $20 billion in taxpayer dollars was lost by just a handful of federal programs in 1999," Thompson said. "Most agencies don't even know how much they're losing. This will provide a tool to help discover and eliminate this waste."
To address mushrooming federal regulations which are imposed with little public scrutiny, Thompson introduced the Regulatory Improvement Act. Thompson's bill promotes the public's right to know why agencies make regulatory decisions, improves the quality of government decision-making, and increases government accountability to the public.
"We all want clean air, clean water, and safer workplaces," Thompson said. "Smarter regulation could help us better achieve these goals." The Harvard Center for Risk Analysis has heartily endorsed the legislation, and estimates that 60,000 lives per year could be saved through smarter regulatory priorities.
In 1997, Thompson's committee was designated by the Senate leadership to conduct an investigation into alleged improper or illegal activities growing out of the 1996 federal campaigns.
The committee exposed a campaign system rife with abuse and open to foreign influence, and produced a 9,600 page report that led to several indictments and a number of on-going criminal investigations. The New York Times declared that Thompson "forced Attorney General Janet Reno and a snoozing FBI to quit ignoring any and all indications of corruption in the 1996 campaign."
Guiding all of Senator Thompson's efforts is a strong belief in the Tenth Amendment - that government closer to the people works best. He believes that federal and state government should be limited to their constitutionally defined roles, and that in recent years those roles have been distorted by interference from Washington. "Each level of government is uniquely qualified to do certain things," Thompson said. "And far too often, Washington politicians involved get involved in matters where they have no business, and where state and local governments are in a much better position to respond to people's concerns.
In the 107th Congress, Thompson will continue his efforts to change the way Washington does business, to let working families keep more of their hard-earned money, to ensure Congress works to protect our national security, and to make sure Social Security and Medicare are preserved for future generations.
http://web.archive.org/web/20020811192700/thompson.senate.gov/text/record.html
Showing posts with label Federal Law. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Federal Law. Show all posts
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Monday, April 23, 2007
Thomspon urges attack of High-Risk Problems
THOMPSON AND VOINOVICH URGE ADMINISTRATION TO ATTACK HIGH-RISK PROBLEMS
Leadership needed to spur action
WASHINGTON – Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN)
and Oversight of Government Management, Restructuring and the District of Columbia Subcommittee Chairman George Voinovich (R-OH) Thursday asked the Administration to take concrete steps to solve the twenty-two problems on the General Accounting Office’s current High-Risk List. These problems constitute the worst examples of fraud, waste, and mismanagement in the federal government, and waste billions of taxpayer dollars every year, impeding service to the public, and undermining confidence in government.
In a joint letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mitchell Daniels, the Senators urged OMB to establish specific performance goals and target deadlines to solve each of the twenty-two problems, and to include those goals in the annual government-wide performance plans required by the Government Performance and Results Act.
"Unfortunately, the prior Administration refused to develop goals to solve the high-risk problems," the Senators wrote. "As a result, we have made little progress. We think the Bush Administration must take this task on."
Although the GAO has published its High-Risk List for years, the Clinton Administration chose to issue their own list of "Priority Management Objectives" that acknowledged only some of the challenges on the High-Risk List.
"The Clinton Administration not only failed to establish and accomplish their own tangible goals," Senator Thompson said, "but they also failed to address the outstanding management challenges consistently appearing on the High-Risk List. I’m encouraged by the interest the Bush team has already shown in taking on these problems," Thompson added. "I hope that making the specific commitments we’re asking for will further demonstrate their leadership resolve and sound a powerful signal throughout the government."
"Attacking these high-risk problems will be no easy task," said Voinovich. "Fortunately, the President has chosen a team with proven management skills. They are clearly up to the challenge, and Senator Thompson and I will do all we can to help."
http://hsgac.senate.gov/040201_press.htm
Leadership needed to spur action
WASHINGTON – Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN)
and Oversight of Government Management, Restructuring and the District of Columbia Subcommittee Chairman George Voinovich (R-OH) Thursday asked the Administration to take concrete steps to solve the twenty-two problems on the General Accounting Office’s current High-Risk List. These problems constitute the worst examples of fraud, waste, and mismanagement in the federal government, and waste billions of taxpayer dollars every year, impeding service to the public, and undermining confidence in government.
In a joint letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mitchell Daniels, the Senators urged OMB to establish specific performance goals and target deadlines to solve each of the twenty-two problems, and to include those goals in the annual government-wide performance plans required by the Government Performance and Results Act.
"Unfortunately, the prior Administration refused to develop goals to solve the high-risk problems," the Senators wrote. "As a result, we have made little progress. We think the Bush Administration must take this task on."
Although the GAO has published its High-Risk List for years, the Clinton Administration chose to issue their own list of "Priority Management Objectives" that acknowledged only some of the challenges on the High-Risk List.
"The Clinton Administration not only failed to establish and accomplish their own tangible goals," Senator Thompson said, "but they also failed to address the outstanding management challenges consistently appearing on the High-Risk List. I’m encouraged by the interest the Bush team has already shown in taking on these problems," Thompson added. "I hope that making the specific commitments we’re asking for will further demonstrate their leadership resolve and sound a powerful signal throughout the government."
"Attacking these high-risk problems will be no easy task," said Voinovich. "Fortunately, the President has chosen a team with proven management skills. They are clearly up to the challenge, and Senator Thompson and I will do all we can to help."
http://hsgac.senate.gov/040201_press.htm
Thompson Introduces Federal Accountability Act
THOMPSON INTRODUCES FEDERALISM ACCOUNTABILITY ACT
Bill Will Protect Authority of State and Local Governments
Washington, DC -- Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) introduced legislation late yesterday to protect state and local governments from unchecked federal intrusion. The “Federalism Accountability Act” would impose accountability on Congress and the Executive Branch before they could override state and local law.
“The Founding Fathers divided power between the federal government and the states. The constitutional principle of federalism -- embodied in the Tenth Amendment -- raises two fundamental questions that policy makers should answer: What should government be doing? And what level of government should do it? Everything else flows from them. That’s why federalism is at the heart of our democracy,” said Senator Thompson.
“Our governmental structure is based on an optimistic belief in the power of people and their communities,” added Thompson. “I share that view.”
A recent General Accounting Office report shows that there has been gross noncompliance with a 1987 executive order directing federal agencies to prepare federalism assessments for actions that would preempt state and local laws. In a review of over 11,000 issued over a 3-year period, GAO found that the agencies had prepared only five federalism assessments under the executive order.
“Congress and the Administration should not take lightly the preemption of state and local laws,” Thompson said. “We need to face the fact that Congress too often has acted as if it has a general police power to engage in any issue, no matter how local. Both Congress and the Executive Branch have neglected to consider prudential and constitutional limits on their powers.”
The Federalism Accountability Act would:
require Congress and agencies to issue an explicit statement of congressional or agency intent when they preempt state or local law, and if so, an explanation of the reasons for such preemption;
require each agency head to designate a federalism officer to implement the requirements of this legislation and to serve as a liaison to state and local officials;
require agencies early on to notify, consult with, and provide an opportunity for meaningful participation by state and local public officials that could potentially be affected by a rule;
require agencies to provide a federalism assessment for rules that have federalism impacts;
require the Congressional Budget Office to compile a report on preemptions by federal rules, court decisions, and legislation;
amend the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 to clarify that performance measures for state-administered grant programs are to be determined in cooperation with public officials;
and amend the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 to clarify that major new requirements imposed on states under entitlement authority are to be scored by CBO as unfunded mandates. It also would require that when Congress caps the federal share of an entitlement program, the Committee report and the accompanying CBO report must analyze whether the legislation includes new flexibility or whether there is existing flexibility to offset additional costs.
This legislation was developed with representatives of the “Big 7" organizations representing State and local government, including the National Governors' Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the International City/County Management Association.
Cosponsors include Senators Carl Levin (D-MI), George Voinovich (R-OH), Chuck Robb (D-VA), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Bill Roth (R-DE), John Breaux (D-LA), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Evan Bayh (D-IN).
http://hsgac.senate.gov/061199_press.htm
Bill Will Protect Authority of State and Local Governments
Washington, DC -- Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) introduced legislation late yesterday to protect state and local governments from unchecked federal intrusion. The “Federalism Accountability Act” would impose accountability on Congress and the Executive Branch before they could override state and local law.
“The Founding Fathers divided power between the federal government and the states. The constitutional principle of federalism -- embodied in the Tenth Amendment -- raises two fundamental questions that policy makers should answer: What should government be doing? And what level of government should do it? Everything else flows from them. That’s why federalism is at the heart of our democracy,” said Senator Thompson.
“Our governmental structure is based on an optimistic belief in the power of people and their communities,” added Thompson. “I share that view.”
A recent General Accounting Office report shows that there has been gross noncompliance with a 1987 executive order directing federal agencies to prepare federalism assessments for actions that would preempt state and local laws. In a review of over 11,000 issued over a 3-year period, GAO found that the agencies had prepared only five federalism assessments under the executive order.
“Congress and the Administration should not take lightly the preemption of state and local laws,” Thompson said. “We need to face the fact that Congress too often has acted as if it has a general police power to engage in any issue, no matter how local. Both Congress and the Executive Branch have neglected to consider prudential and constitutional limits on their powers.”
The Federalism Accountability Act would:
require Congress and agencies to issue an explicit statement of congressional or agency intent when they preempt state or local law, and if so, an explanation of the reasons for such preemption;
require each agency head to designate a federalism officer to implement the requirements of this legislation and to serve as a liaison to state and local officials;
require agencies early on to notify, consult with, and provide an opportunity for meaningful participation by state and local public officials that could potentially be affected by a rule;
require agencies to provide a federalism assessment for rules that have federalism impacts;
require the Congressional Budget Office to compile a report on preemptions by federal rules, court decisions, and legislation;
amend the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993 to clarify that performance measures for state-administered grant programs are to be determined in cooperation with public officials;
and amend the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 to clarify that major new requirements imposed on states under entitlement authority are to be scored by CBO as unfunded mandates. It also would require that when Congress caps the federal share of an entitlement program, the Committee report and the accompanying CBO report must analyze whether the legislation includes new flexibility or whether there is existing flexibility to offset additional costs.
This legislation was developed with representatives of the “Big 7" organizations representing State and local government, including the National Governors' Association, the National Conference of State Legislatures, the Council of State Governments, the National League of Cities, the National Association of Counties, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, and the International City/County Management Association.
Cosponsors include Senators Carl Levin (D-MI), George Voinovich (R-OH), Chuck Robb (D-VA), Thad Cochran (R-MS), Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Bill Roth (R-DE), John Breaux (D-LA), Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Evan Bayh (D-IN).
http://hsgac.senate.gov/061199_press.htm
Passage of Thompson Regulatory Right-to-Know Legislation
Senators Thompson, Stevens, and Breaux Announce Final Passage of Regulatory Right-to-Know Legislation
WASHINGTON - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN), Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, (R-AK), and Senator John Breaux (D-LA) announced that the Senate yesterday approved the Thompson-Stevens-Breaux Regulatory Right-to-Know Act. The Act will require the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to disclose to the public the costs and benefits of regulatory programs in a report to be included each year in the Federal Budget. The legislation is contained in Section 624 of the Treasury-Postal Appropriations conference report, which now goes to the President for his signature.
"The Regulatory Right-to-Know Act is based on a simple but important idea," Chairman Thompson said. "People have a right to know the costs and benefits of important regulatory decisions. This will help the Congress, the President, and the public better understand whether regulations are sensible and fair."
Senator Stevens, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said, "This is an important tool for decision-makers. It will give Congress the ability to perform its oversight function in a more efficient and effective manner. In order to make sound decisions, Congress must have access to how and why agencies make decisions, and what the consequences of those decisions would be."
"Government has an obligation to carefully consider mandates that impose costs on people and limit their freedom," Senator Breaux said. "Now we members of Congress and the American people will know, each year, the real value of proposed Federal regulations."
The Thompson-Stevens-Breaux legislation, which has been included in the Treasury-Postal Appropriations bill as a one-year reporting requirement for the last two years, strengthens and makes permanent the original regulatory accounting provision secured by Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) in 1996. The Regulatory Right-to-Know Act requires the OMB director to provide Congress with a report on the total annual benefits and costs of Federal regulatory programs, as well as an analysis of the impacts of federal regulation on State, local, and tribal government, small business, wages, and economic growth. It also requires OMB to issue agency guidelines and to solicit public comment and expert peer review to continually improve the quality of the reports.
"This is about good government," Thompson said. "This legislation will help hold Federal agencies accountable for the cost and effectiveness of their regulations and reduce needless waste and red tape. It will promote responsible efforts to protect public health, safety and the environment, and it will promote the economic security and well-being of our families and communities. I am pleased that the costs and benefits of regulation can now receive the attention of the Executive Branch and Congress when we debate the Federal Budget each year."
http://hsgac.senate.gov/101300c_press.htm
WASHINGTON - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN), Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Ted Stevens, (R-AK), and Senator John Breaux (D-LA) announced that the Senate yesterday approved the Thompson-Stevens-Breaux Regulatory Right-to-Know Act. The Act will require the White House’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to disclose to the public the costs and benefits of regulatory programs in a report to be included each year in the Federal Budget. The legislation is contained in Section 624 of the Treasury-Postal Appropriations conference report, which now goes to the President for his signature.
"The Regulatory Right-to-Know Act is based on a simple but important idea," Chairman Thompson said. "People have a right to know the costs and benefits of important regulatory decisions. This will help the Congress, the President, and the public better understand whether regulations are sensible and fair."
Senator Stevens, chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said, "This is an important tool for decision-makers. It will give Congress the ability to perform its oversight function in a more efficient and effective manner. In order to make sound decisions, Congress must have access to how and why agencies make decisions, and what the consequences of those decisions would be."
"Government has an obligation to carefully consider mandates that impose costs on people and limit their freedom," Senator Breaux said. "Now we members of Congress and the American people will know, each year, the real value of proposed Federal regulations."
The Thompson-Stevens-Breaux legislation, which has been included in the Treasury-Postal Appropriations bill as a one-year reporting requirement for the last two years, strengthens and makes permanent the original regulatory accounting provision secured by Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) in 1996. The Regulatory Right-to-Know Act requires the OMB director to provide Congress with a report on the total annual benefits and costs of Federal regulatory programs, as well as an analysis of the impacts of federal regulation on State, local, and tribal government, small business, wages, and economic growth. It also requires OMB to issue agency guidelines and to solicit public comment and expert peer review to continually improve the quality of the reports.
"This is about good government," Thompson said. "This legislation will help hold Federal agencies accountable for the cost and effectiveness of their regulations and reduce needless waste and red tape. It will promote responsible efforts to protect public health, safety and the environment, and it will promote the economic security and well-being of our families and communities. I am pleased that the costs and benefits of regulation can now receive the attention of the Executive Branch and Congress when we debate the Federal Budget each year."
http://hsgac.senate.gov/101300c_press.htm
Thompson Measure Increases Govt Access to Commercial Markets
THOMPSON MEASURE INCREASES GOVERNMENT ACCESSTO COMMERCIAL MARKETS
(Washington, DC) -- Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson yesterday introduced legislation to revise accounting standards used for Federal government contracts (S. 1151). In addition, Senator Thompson was successful in getting the bill language included as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2000 National Defense Authorization Act approved last night by the Senate.
Senator Thompson said, "Industry sellers and government buyers continue to identify the government’s Cost Accounting Standards as a remaining barrier to the integration of commercial items into the government marketplace. This bill carefully balances the government’s need for greater access to commercial items, particularly those of nontraditional suppliers, with the need for strong accounting standards to protect taxpayer dollars."
Joining Senator Thompson in this effort are Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, Senators John Warner (R-VA) and Carl Levin (D-MI).
In recent years, Congress has enacted two major acquisition reform statutes which changed the trend in government contracting toward simplifying the government’s acquisition process and eliminating many government-unique requirements. In keeping with this trend toward commercial market practices, this bill further streamlines the federal procurement system to save taxpayer dollars.
Senator Thompson’s bill would:
· raise the threshold for coverage under the Cost Accounting Standards from $25 million to $50 million;
· exempt contractors from coverage if they do not have a contract in excess of $5 million;
· exclude coverage based on firm, fixed price contracts awarded on the basis of adequate price competition without the submission of certified cost or pricing data; and
· provide for waivers by agencies under certain situations.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/052899_press.htm
(Washington, DC) -- Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson yesterday introduced legislation to revise accounting standards used for Federal government contracts (S. 1151). In addition, Senator Thompson was successful in getting the bill language included as an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2000 National Defense Authorization Act approved last night by the Senate.
Senator Thompson said, "Industry sellers and government buyers continue to identify the government’s Cost Accounting Standards as a remaining barrier to the integration of commercial items into the government marketplace. This bill carefully balances the government’s need for greater access to commercial items, particularly those of nontraditional suppliers, with the need for strong accounting standards to protect taxpayer dollars."
Joining Senator Thompson in this effort are Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Joseph Lieberman (D-CT), and the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Armed Services Committee, Senators John Warner (R-VA) and Carl Levin (D-MI).
In recent years, Congress has enacted two major acquisition reform statutes which changed the trend in government contracting toward simplifying the government’s acquisition process and eliminating many government-unique requirements. In keeping with this trend toward commercial market practices, this bill further streamlines the federal procurement system to save taxpayer dollars.
Senator Thompson’s bill would:
· raise the threshold for coverage under the Cost Accounting Standards from $25 million to $50 million;
· exempt contractors from coverage if they do not have a contract in excess of $5 million;
· exclude coverage based on firm, fixed price contracts awarded on the basis of adequate price competition without the submission of certified cost or pricing data; and
· provide for waivers by agencies under certain situations.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/052899_press.htm
Thompson "Truth In Regulatory Act"
THOMPSON INTRODUCES “TRUTH IN REGULATING” ACT
Bill Encourages Better Rulemaking at Federal Agencies
Washington, DC -- Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) has introduced legislation to give Congress access to key data on which major regulations are based before the regulations go into effect.
“This information will support Congressional oversight to ensure regulations are efficient, effective, and fair,” Thompson said. “It will also help Congress make sure that regulations follow congressional intent.”
Joining Thompson in introducing this bipartisan legislation are: Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), George Voinovich (R-OH), Bob Kerrey (D-NE), John Breaux (D-LA) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA).
“This legislation will help Congress participate in federal agency rulemaking before the horse gets out of the barn,” Thompson said. “So in a real sense, this legislation not only gives people the right to know; it gives them the right to see -- to see how the government works, or doesn’t.”
The legislation is designed to make the regulatory process more transparent, more accountable, and more democratic. Under the three-year pilot project established by the “Truth in Regulating Act of 1999,” a Committee of either house of Congress may ask the General Accounting Office (GAO) to review an economically significant rule as it is being developed. The GAO must submit a report within 180 days, allowing Congress ample time to decide whether it wants to disapprove the rule under the Congressional Review Act. This Act enables Congress to reject regulations under expedited procedures.
“I hope this legislation will encourage federal agencies to make better use of modern decision-making tools, such as risk assessment and benefit-cost analysis,” said Thompson. “Currently, these important tools often are viewed simply as options -- options that aren’t used as much or as well as they should be.”
The Comptroller General’s independent analysis of the rule would have to include:
An analysis of the potential benefits of the rule;
The potential costs of the rule;
Any alternative approaches that could achieve the goal in a more cost-effective manner or that could produce greater net benefits;
The extent to which the rule would affect state or local governments; and
A summary of how the results of the analysis of the Comptroller General differ, if at all, from the results of agency analyses.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/062299_press.htm
Bill Encourages Better Rulemaking at Federal Agencies
Washington, DC -- Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) has introduced legislation to give Congress access to key data on which major regulations are based before the regulations go into effect.
“This information will support Congressional oversight to ensure regulations are efficient, effective, and fair,” Thompson said. “It will also help Congress make sure that regulations follow congressional intent.”
Joining Thompson in introducing this bipartisan legislation are: Senators Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), George Voinovich (R-OH), Bob Kerrey (D-NE), John Breaux (D-LA) and Mary Landrieu (D-LA).
“This legislation will help Congress participate in federal agency rulemaking before the horse gets out of the barn,” Thompson said. “So in a real sense, this legislation not only gives people the right to know; it gives them the right to see -- to see how the government works, or doesn’t.”
The legislation is designed to make the regulatory process more transparent, more accountable, and more democratic. Under the three-year pilot project established by the “Truth in Regulating Act of 1999,” a Committee of either house of Congress may ask the General Accounting Office (GAO) to review an economically significant rule as it is being developed. The GAO must submit a report within 180 days, allowing Congress ample time to decide whether it wants to disapprove the rule under the Congressional Review Act. This Act enables Congress to reject regulations under expedited procedures.
“I hope this legislation will encourage federal agencies to make better use of modern decision-making tools, such as risk assessment and benefit-cost analysis,” said Thompson. “Currently, these important tools often are viewed simply as options -- options that aren’t used as much or as well as they should be.”
The Comptroller General’s independent analysis of the rule would have to include:
An analysis of the potential benefits of the rule;
The potential costs of the rule;
Any alternative approaches that could achieve the goal in a more cost-effective manner or that could produce greater net benefits;
The extent to which the rule would affect state or local governments; and
A summary of how the results of the analysis of the Comptroller General differ, if at all, from the results of agency analyses.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/062299_press.htm
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Comments on IRS Mismanagement of Funds
GAO: Mismanagement Continues to Plague IRSChairman Thompson Frustrated by Lack of Progress
Washington, DC -- Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) today expressed his disappointment over the continued mismanagement at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) following the release of a General Accounting Office (GAO) report on the agency. According to GAO, the IRS still can’t adequately track tax payments, doesn’t know how much money comes in for Social Security, and is providing access to cash, checks, and sensitive taxpayer information to known criminals.
Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson, who held hearings on management at the IRS in 1997 and 1998, said of the report, "Poll after poll shows that Americans are losing faith in their government. And once again we see that the IRS can’t keep its own books while demanding that taxpayers keep theirs."
The GAO report – an audit required under the Chief Financial Officers Act – details the extent of the problems at IRS:
· IRS is slow to correct erroneous assessments against taxpayers. In one case, it took 18 months for IRS to correct an input error that resulted in an erroneous assessment of over $160,000 against a taxpayer who was actually due a refund.
· Because of computer security weaknesses, individuals are capable of obtaining personal taxpayer information and using it to commit financial crimes in the taxpayer’s name (identity fraud), such as fraudulently establishing credit and running up debts.
· IRS is giving access to cash, checks, and personal taxpayer information to known criminals. GAO found that 4,835 employees were hired to process taxes before fingerprint checks were completed. It was later discovered that employees had unsuitable backgrounds, such as previous theft, assault, or weapons charges.
· IRS is unable to determine the specific amount of revenue it actually collects for Social Security, Medicare, Highway, or other relevant trust funds.
· IRS has no idea how much it owns in property and equipment. According to its records, IRS didn’t know it had possession of such things as videoconferencing equipment and 3 recently acquired mail-sorting machines that cost over $800,000 each.
Senator Thompson said, "This audit shows that IRS doesn’t know how much money is coming in or where that money is going. It shows that IRS sends money back to people who owe taxes and make erroneous assessments against those who don’t. Perhaps worst of all, IRS is giving custody of checks and cash and access to personal taxpayer information to criminals. In one case, GAO reports that service center guards and staff did not i.d. a courier before giving him a $28 million deposit, even though he was not the regular courier."
In 1998, IRS reform legislation was passed and enacted that promised to protect taxpayers by increasing oversight of IRS, holding employees accountable for their actions and creating a new arsenal of taxpayer protections.
Senator Thompson remarked, "I applaud Chairman (Charles) Rosotti’s efforts and I think he’s the right man for the job. But, this audit shows just how difficult it is to implement good management practices in federal agencies. These problems are long lasting and he still has to make considerable progress to meet the standards the public expects."
http://hsgac.senate.gov/022900_press.htm
Washington, DC -- Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) today expressed his disappointment over the continued mismanagement at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) following the release of a General Accounting Office (GAO) report on the agency. According to GAO, the IRS still can’t adequately track tax payments, doesn’t know how much money comes in for Social Security, and is providing access to cash, checks, and sensitive taxpayer information to known criminals.
Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson, who held hearings on management at the IRS in 1997 and 1998, said of the report, "Poll after poll shows that Americans are losing faith in their government. And once again we see that the IRS can’t keep its own books while demanding that taxpayers keep theirs."
The GAO report – an audit required under the Chief Financial Officers Act – details the extent of the problems at IRS:
· IRS is slow to correct erroneous assessments against taxpayers. In one case, it took 18 months for IRS to correct an input error that resulted in an erroneous assessment of over $160,000 against a taxpayer who was actually due a refund.
· Because of computer security weaknesses, individuals are capable of obtaining personal taxpayer information and using it to commit financial crimes in the taxpayer’s name (identity fraud), such as fraudulently establishing credit and running up debts.
· IRS is giving access to cash, checks, and personal taxpayer information to known criminals. GAO found that 4,835 employees were hired to process taxes before fingerprint checks were completed. It was later discovered that employees had unsuitable backgrounds, such as previous theft, assault, or weapons charges.
· IRS is unable to determine the specific amount of revenue it actually collects for Social Security, Medicare, Highway, or other relevant trust funds.
· IRS has no idea how much it owns in property and equipment. According to its records, IRS didn’t know it had possession of such things as videoconferencing equipment and 3 recently acquired mail-sorting machines that cost over $800,000 each.
Senator Thompson said, "This audit shows that IRS doesn’t know how much money is coming in or where that money is going. It shows that IRS sends money back to people who owe taxes and make erroneous assessments against those who don’t. Perhaps worst of all, IRS is giving custody of checks and cash and access to personal taxpayer information to criminals. In one case, GAO reports that service center guards and staff did not i.d. a courier before giving him a $28 million deposit, even though he was not the regular courier."
In 1998, IRS reform legislation was passed and enacted that promised to protect taxpayers by increasing oversight of IRS, holding employees accountable for their actions and creating a new arsenal of taxpayer protections.
Senator Thompson remarked, "I applaud Chairman (Charles) Rosotti’s efforts and I think he’s the right man for the job. But, this audit shows just how difficult it is to implement good management practices in federal agencies. These problems are long lasting and he still has to make considerable progress to meet the standards the public expects."
http://hsgac.senate.gov/022900_press.htm
Statement on Antrax through the Mail
“Terrorism Through the Mail: Protecting Postal Workers and the Public”Tuesday, October 30, 2001
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the Postmaster General, union representatives, and postal workers for coming today. This is a difficult time for you as you have recently lost two of your colleagues in the last two weeks and that others remain ill. It is my hope that we can use this time to explore procedures, protocols, and technology which can be used to make our postal facilities safe and secure for you and your co-workers, and the entire system safer for the general public. “This is not just a postal service problem. We’re here because those responsible chose this way this time. There is no doubt we have been behind the curve in responding to biological attacks. I find it remarkable we know so little about some of the properties of anthrax itself – how the powder reacts in an envelope, for example – or what works against it. “For several years, many organizations, including GAO, the Hart-Rudman Commission, the Gilmore Commission and others have recommended comprehensive threat and risk assessments for chemical and biological weapons attacks on our soil. As far back as 1997, GAO recommended that these assessments be conducted so that federal and state governments could properly prepare for such attacks. I understand that the FBI finally began work on a domestic threat assessment in July 1999 and it should be completed soon. Clearly, these assessments should have been completed much earlier. I do believe that completion of such threat assessments in the future could help make us more prepared when the next shoe falls.“In all fairness, though, even the experts who thought about mass casualty attacks, as far as my staff has found, never focused on the use of anthrax through the mail, even though the threat was not beyond comprehension. There have been a number of hoaxes over the years where powder was sent through the mail with letters indicating it was anthrax. One such letter was received in Knoxville, Tennessee back in 1998. “But whatever our level of preparedness has been in the past, it’s clear now that we have to do more to protect our workers and the American public. Congressional staff was briefed last Friday on new technologies and machinery being considered by the Postal Service, including ways to make collection boxes safer, to keep the air in our facilities cleaner, and even to kill potentially dangerous biological agents being sent through the mail. I’m glad to see the Postal Service is moving forward with these new technologies, Mr. Potter. “I’m glad to get labor representatives and postal representatives together to discuss this problem. Threats affect all of us at home and abroad. Danger has gotten our attention and frankly I think we’ve done a pretty good job of responding. Experts we’re hearing from aren’t used to being experts, and the phrase “steep learning curve” has taken on new meaning. In less than two months we’ve set up an Office of Homeland Security and appointed a Director. We’ve engaged the entire medical community, including the CDC, the Surgeon General, and public health officials. We’ve passed a terrorism bill. We will shortly have an airport security bill, and we’ve managed to keep to our legislative schedule. “We need to understand that in the process there will be problems, but that we’ll overcome those problems. I take a backseat to nobody in criticizing wasteful and ineffective government. But there comes a time to see the positive and the good that we can accomplish when we bring the forces of our government to bear on a problem.“I believe that this also applies to the “hot” war in Afghanistan. It is important that we do not undermine our resolve or our mental condition. I see headlines announcing that the war will go on longer than expected. I don’t know who that was news to, particularly in this town, with experts telling us of these threats for years. There are demands from our new allies that the war be shorter or that we avoid bombing during certain times. Some choose to talk only about the inevitable tragedy of military and civilian casualties. Some opinion makers decided this should be our focus, both at home and abroad. There is little doubt here and abroad as to our military strength, but there is doubt of our stamina, and we’re seeing the problems resulting from not having taken decisive action in the past.“According to Paul Light, director of the Presidential Appointee Initiative at the Brookings Institution, 164 positions were identified as involving the fight against the war on terrorism, including homeland security and bioterrorism. These include positions at the Departments of Defense, Treasury, Transportation, and at FEMA. Of those positions, 37% are vacant or have people who have only occupied positions since September 11, 27% are vacant today, and of those vacancies in positions with responsibility for biological threats, only 45 of 71 positions are filled.“Some of the positions that remain unconfirmed include the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs at DOD, the Director of the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management at DOE, the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environment, Safety, and Health at DOE, the Special Representative for Nuclear Nonproliferation at DOS, the Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration at DOS, the Deputy Director at FEMA, and the Associate Director for Preparedness, Training, and Exercise Directorate at FEMA. It is critical that the Administration get nominees up here and that Congress act quickly. This is a government-wide problem and the longer it takes, the higher the toll it can take on national security.“I think the American people understand this war will be long and deliberate. We are not omnipotent or mistake free, but we are on the side of right. We will look out for each other, but what we cannot do is let our misgivings, doubts, or disagreements lessen our commitment or our faith in our government. And that applies to those inevitable sideline critics that would nip at the heels of our determination in either our war abroad or our new war at home.”
http://hsgac.senate.gov/103001thompson.htm
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I want to thank the Postmaster General, union representatives, and postal workers for coming today. This is a difficult time for you as you have recently lost two of your colleagues in the last two weeks and that others remain ill. It is my hope that we can use this time to explore procedures, protocols, and technology which can be used to make our postal facilities safe and secure for you and your co-workers, and the entire system safer for the general public. “This is not just a postal service problem. We’re here because those responsible chose this way this time. There is no doubt we have been behind the curve in responding to biological attacks. I find it remarkable we know so little about some of the properties of anthrax itself – how the powder reacts in an envelope, for example – or what works against it. “For several years, many organizations, including GAO, the Hart-Rudman Commission, the Gilmore Commission and others have recommended comprehensive threat and risk assessments for chemical and biological weapons attacks on our soil. As far back as 1997, GAO recommended that these assessments be conducted so that federal and state governments could properly prepare for such attacks. I understand that the FBI finally began work on a domestic threat assessment in July 1999 and it should be completed soon. Clearly, these assessments should have been completed much earlier. I do believe that completion of such threat assessments in the future could help make us more prepared when the next shoe falls.“In all fairness, though, even the experts who thought about mass casualty attacks, as far as my staff has found, never focused on the use of anthrax through the mail, even though the threat was not beyond comprehension. There have been a number of hoaxes over the years where powder was sent through the mail with letters indicating it was anthrax. One such letter was received in Knoxville, Tennessee back in 1998. “But whatever our level of preparedness has been in the past, it’s clear now that we have to do more to protect our workers and the American public. Congressional staff was briefed last Friday on new technologies and machinery being considered by the Postal Service, including ways to make collection boxes safer, to keep the air in our facilities cleaner, and even to kill potentially dangerous biological agents being sent through the mail. I’m glad to see the Postal Service is moving forward with these new technologies, Mr. Potter. “I’m glad to get labor representatives and postal representatives together to discuss this problem. Threats affect all of us at home and abroad. Danger has gotten our attention and frankly I think we’ve done a pretty good job of responding. Experts we’re hearing from aren’t used to being experts, and the phrase “steep learning curve” has taken on new meaning. In less than two months we’ve set up an Office of Homeland Security and appointed a Director. We’ve engaged the entire medical community, including the CDC, the Surgeon General, and public health officials. We’ve passed a terrorism bill. We will shortly have an airport security bill, and we’ve managed to keep to our legislative schedule. “We need to understand that in the process there will be problems, but that we’ll overcome those problems. I take a backseat to nobody in criticizing wasteful and ineffective government. But there comes a time to see the positive and the good that we can accomplish when we bring the forces of our government to bear on a problem.“I believe that this also applies to the “hot” war in Afghanistan. It is important that we do not undermine our resolve or our mental condition. I see headlines announcing that the war will go on longer than expected. I don’t know who that was news to, particularly in this town, with experts telling us of these threats for years. There are demands from our new allies that the war be shorter or that we avoid bombing during certain times. Some choose to talk only about the inevitable tragedy of military and civilian casualties. Some opinion makers decided this should be our focus, both at home and abroad. There is little doubt here and abroad as to our military strength, but there is doubt of our stamina, and we’re seeing the problems resulting from not having taken decisive action in the past.“According to Paul Light, director of the Presidential Appointee Initiative at the Brookings Institution, 164 positions were identified as involving the fight against the war on terrorism, including homeland security and bioterrorism. These include positions at the Departments of Defense, Treasury, Transportation, and at FEMA. Of those positions, 37% are vacant or have people who have only occupied positions since September 11, 27% are vacant today, and of those vacancies in positions with responsibility for biological threats, only 45 of 71 positions are filled.“Some of the positions that remain unconfirmed include the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs at DOD, the Director of the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management at DOE, the Assistant Secretary of Energy for Environment, Safety, and Health at DOE, the Special Representative for Nuclear Nonproliferation at DOS, the Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration at DOS, the Deputy Director at FEMA, and the Associate Director for Preparedness, Training, and Exercise Directorate at FEMA. It is critical that the Administration get nominees up here and that Congress act quickly. This is a government-wide problem and the longer it takes, the higher the toll it can take on national security.“I think the American people understand this war will be long and deliberate. We are not omnipotent or mistake free, but we are on the side of right. We will look out for each other, but what we cannot do is let our misgivings, doubts, or disagreements lessen our commitment or our faith in our government. And that applies to those inevitable sideline critics that would nip at the heels of our determination in either our war abroad or our new war at home.”
http://hsgac.senate.gov/103001thompson.htm
Thompson Amendment ensured to protect privacy on government websites
For all those who are worried that Big Brother is watching them online. This is one of Perico's favorites:
December 19, 2000
Thompson Applauds Final Passage of Legislation to Protect Citizens’ Privacy on Federal Web Sites
WASHINGTON, DC — Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) today announced that Congress passed legislation to ensure that legislators and the public are made aware of potential privacy violations on federal agency Internet sites. The Thompson amendment in the Treasury-Postal Title (Section 646) of the Consolidated Appropriations Bill would require the Inspector General of each agency to report to Congress on how the agency collects and reviews personal information on its web site. The bill now goes to the President for his signature.
"The American people have a right to know what information is being collected about them on federal web sites," Thompson said. "This bill will ensure that we know about agencies’ data collection practices so that we in Congress can make sure that privacy rights of citizens are not being violated.
"The federal government should be setting the standard for privacy protection in cyberspace," Thompson continued, "But unfortunately, concerns have been raised that some federal agencies may be engaging in information-gathering practices that could only further deepen the public’s distrust of government."
In June, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) was found to have contracted with an Internet ad firm to use "cookies," information gathering devices, to track users on the ONDCP web site. In response to a request from Thompson, the General Accounting Office (GAO) performed an audit of federal agencies’ use of cookies. In October, it was revealed that many federal agencies were still using cookies on their Web sites without disclosing their use. These practices violate the federal government’s privacy policy.
The Thompson privacy amendment, which gives agency Inspectors General 60 days to submit their reports, would expand on the GAO investigation by requiring the Inspectors General to report on all agency information-gathering practices, including data interception systems such as the FBI’s "Carnivore." A similar amendment, which applied exclusively to agencies funded by the Treasury-Postal Appropriations bill, was sponsored by Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA).# # #
http://hsgac.senate.gov/121900_press.htm
December 19, 2000
Thompson Applauds Final Passage of Legislation to Protect Citizens’ Privacy on Federal Web Sites
WASHINGTON, DC — Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) today announced that Congress passed legislation to ensure that legislators and the public are made aware of potential privacy violations on federal agency Internet sites. The Thompson amendment in the Treasury-Postal Title (Section 646) of the Consolidated Appropriations Bill would require the Inspector General of each agency to report to Congress on how the agency collects and reviews personal information on its web site. The bill now goes to the President for his signature.
"The American people have a right to know what information is being collected about them on federal web sites," Thompson said. "This bill will ensure that we know about agencies’ data collection practices so that we in Congress can make sure that privacy rights of citizens are not being violated.
"The federal government should be setting the standard for privacy protection in cyberspace," Thompson continued, "But unfortunately, concerns have been raised that some federal agencies may be engaging in information-gathering practices that could only further deepen the public’s distrust of government."
In June, the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) was found to have contracted with an Internet ad firm to use "cookies," information gathering devices, to track users on the ONDCP web site. In response to a request from Thompson, the General Accounting Office (GAO) performed an audit of federal agencies’ use of cookies. In October, it was revealed that many federal agencies were still using cookies on their Web sites without disclosing their use. These practices violate the federal government’s privacy policy.
The Thompson privacy amendment, which gives agency Inspectors General 60 days to submit their reports, would expand on the GAO investigation by requiring the Inspectors General to report on all agency information-gathering practices, including data interception systems such as the FBI’s "Carnivore." A similar amendment, which applied exclusively to agencies funded by the Treasury-Postal Appropriations bill, was sponsored by Representative Jay Inslee (D-WA).# # #
http://hsgac.senate.gov/121900_press.htm
Thompson's Freedom to Manage Package to Reform Government
Thompson Introduces Administration’s Freedom to Manage Package to Reform Government Says He Will Work to See That the President Gets the Tools He Needs To Reform Government ManagementThursday, November 1, 2001
WASHINGTON - Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) introduced legislation today referred to Congress by the Bush Administration seeking to extensively reform the management of the federal government.Senator Thompson, a leading Congressional advocate for government reform, said, “I will work with my colleagues on the Governmental Affairs Committee and in Congress to enact this important package, because it includes comprehensive reforms that will make government work better.“The Governmental Affairs Committee has documented the problems affecting Executive Branch operations for some time, and I am impressed with the President’s attention to these issues at this critical time in our nation’s history,” Thompson added. “The President’s package of management reform proposals will allow government managers to carry out their critical responsibilities for the American public more effectively. It’s obvious the Administration understands how very important government reform is to ensuring that the government can accomplish its varied missions.” The legislation, which includes the Freedom to Manage Act and the Managerial Flexibility Act, makes it easier for Executive Branch management to increase accountability, reduce unnecessary costs, and manage for results. The Managerial Flexibility Act will help the government recruit and retain people with needed skills, increase the flexibility of federal property management, and allow agencies to budget for results. The Freedom to Manage Act would allow other reform proposals, submitted to the Congress by the Administration, to be considered expeditiously by the Congress. Transmitted to the Congress on October 15, 2001, the Freedom to Manage Act and the Managerial Flexibility Act will now be a part of Senator Thompson’s and the Governmental Affairs Committee’s efforts to reform the management of the Executive Branch.
# # #A summary of the legislation follows.Freedom to Manage Reform PackageA Summary
Freedom to Manage Act of 2001: This legislation establishes a procedure under which heads of departments and agencies can identify statutory barriers to good management. Congress, in turn, would quickly consider those obstacles and act to remove them.Managerial Flexibility Act of 2001: This legislation provides federal managers with increased flexibility in managing personnel; assigns agencies the responsibility for funding the full government share of the accruing cost of all retirement and retiree health care benefits for Federal employees; and gives agencies greater flexibility in managing property.Reform Personnel Management: This proposal gives federal agencies and managers increased discretion and flexibility in attracting, managing, and retaining a high quality workforce. It empowers federal agencies to determine when, if, and how they might offer new employee incentives, and it enhances the agencies' authority to use recruitment, retention, and relocation bonuses to compete better with the private sector. The bill permits agencies to develop alternative personnel systems to attract and hire employees that best fit the position, and it will enable managers to offer early retirement packages. By enacting important changes to the Senior Executive Service, this proposal also permits high-level Federal managers to be treated more like their private sector counterparts, by results-based performance standards that hold them accountable.Budgeting and Managing for Results -- Full Funding for Federal Retiree Costs: This proposal charges federal agencies the full accruing cost of all retirement and retiree health care benefits for federal employees. This proposal is the first government-wide step in linking the full cost of resources used with the results achieved, which will make management in the Executive Branch more performance-oriented. This proposal will not change any of the benefits provided by these programs, and will not change the level of employee contributions.Reform Federal Property Management: The federal government owns or controls more than 24 million acres of land and facilities, but existing rules restrict the government's ability to consolidate or release underperforming property. In many instances, federal agencies lack the incentives and authority to renovate the property or tap its equity. This proposal facilitates a total asset management approach to Federal property issues by: improving life cycle planning and management; allowing greater flexibility to optimize asset performance; and providing incentives for better property management. Modernizing these processes enhances government-wide property management, bringing the practices federal agencies use to manage their assets into the 21st century.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/110101thompsonpress.htm
WASHINGTON - Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) introduced legislation today referred to Congress by the Bush Administration seeking to extensively reform the management of the federal government.Senator Thompson, a leading Congressional advocate for government reform, said, “I will work with my colleagues on the Governmental Affairs Committee and in Congress to enact this important package, because it includes comprehensive reforms that will make government work better.“The Governmental Affairs Committee has documented the problems affecting Executive Branch operations for some time, and I am impressed with the President’s attention to these issues at this critical time in our nation’s history,” Thompson added. “The President’s package of management reform proposals will allow government managers to carry out their critical responsibilities for the American public more effectively. It’s obvious the Administration understands how very important government reform is to ensuring that the government can accomplish its varied missions.” The legislation, which includes the Freedom to Manage Act and the Managerial Flexibility Act, makes it easier for Executive Branch management to increase accountability, reduce unnecessary costs, and manage for results. The Managerial Flexibility Act will help the government recruit and retain people with needed skills, increase the flexibility of federal property management, and allow agencies to budget for results. The Freedom to Manage Act would allow other reform proposals, submitted to the Congress by the Administration, to be considered expeditiously by the Congress. Transmitted to the Congress on October 15, 2001, the Freedom to Manage Act and the Managerial Flexibility Act will now be a part of Senator Thompson’s and the Governmental Affairs Committee’s efforts to reform the management of the Executive Branch.
# # #A summary of the legislation follows.Freedom to Manage Reform PackageA Summary
Freedom to Manage Act of 2001: This legislation establishes a procedure under which heads of departments and agencies can identify statutory barriers to good management. Congress, in turn, would quickly consider those obstacles and act to remove them.Managerial Flexibility Act of 2001: This legislation provides federal managers with increased flexibility in managing personnel; assigns agencies the responsibility for funding the full government share of the accruing cost of all retirement and retiree health care benefits for Federal employees; and gives agencies greater flexibility in managing property.Reform Personnel Management: This proposal gives federal agencies and managers increased discretion and flexibility in attracting, managing, and retaining a high quality workforce. It empowers federal agencies to determine when, if, and how they might offer new employee incentives, and it enhances the agencies' authority to use recruitment, retention, and relocation bonuses to compete better with the private sector. The bill permits agencies to develop alternative personnel systems to attract and hire employees that best fit the position, and it will enable managers to offer early retirement packages. By enacting important changes to the Senior Executive Service, this proposal also permits high-level Federal managers to be treated more like their private sector counterparts, by results-based performance standards that hold them accountable.Budgeting and Managing for Results -- Full Funding for Federal Retiree Costs: This proposal charges federal agencies the full accruing cost of all retirement and retiree health care benefits for federal employees. This proposal is the first government-wide step in linking the full cost of resources used with the results achieved, which will make management in the Executive Branch more performance-oriented. This proposal will not change any of the benefits provided by these programs, and will not change the level of employee contributions.Reform Federal Property Management: The federal government owns or controls more than 24 million acres of land and facilities, but existing rules restrict the government's ability to consolidate or release underperforming property. In many instances, federal agencies lack the incentives and authority to renovate the property or tap its equity. This proposal facilitates a total asset management approach to Federal property issues by: improving life cycle planning and management; allowing greater flexibility to optimize asset performance; and providing incentives for better property management. Modernizing these processes enhances government-wide property management, bringing the practices federal agencies use to manage their assets into the 21st century.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/110101thompsonpress.htm
National Security Workforce Legislation
Thompson, Akaka and Durbin Introduce Legislation toStrengthen America’s National Security Workforce
Homeland Security Workforce Bill Provides Powerful Incentives for Federal WorkersDecember 5, 2001
Washington, DC - Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) joined Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) today in introducing two bills detailing a comprehensive strategy to deal with both short and long-term deficiencies in the natural security workforce. The Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act and the Homeland Security Education Act seek to address specific problems in the federal government’s ability to recruit and retain national security professionals.
"We have to make sure federal agencies have the talent on hand to do the thousand daily tasks that don’t make the news but make us safer each and every day," said Senator Thompson. "These bills help the federal government get – and keep – that talent."
The Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act requires a strategic plan that assesses the status of the federal government's national security workforce and requires the integration of performance plans for the national security workforce into plans required by the Government Performance and Results Act. In addition, the bill provides loan forgiveness, fellowships and employee exchange programs in support of the federal national security workforce. The Homeland Security Education Act strengthens federal support of educational programs -- especially in math, science, and certain languages -- deemed important to the national security workforce.
The bills are the product of many of the recommendations made by the Hart / Rudman Commission on National Security in the 21st Century released earlier this year. The Commission said in its most recent report, "The maintenance of American power in the world depends on the quality of U.S. government personnel, civil and military, at all levels. We must take immediate action in the personnel area to ensure that the United States can meet future challenges.
Senator Thompson added, "Employing the best possible federal workforce is a matter of national security. The federal government’s workforce crisis is real and will remain unless we begin to think strategically about what our needs are and then match our most skilled people with opportunities for development and incentives to stay."
Experts have warned that the federal government faces immense challenges with its workforce, specifically citing the length of the hiring process, inability to retain employees, and an unprecedented increase in the percentage of retirements.
Summaries of the two bills are attached.
###
"Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act"
Title I: Expands the loan forgiveness program for federal employees in areas of national security. Allows Departments of Defense, State, Energy, and Justice as well as the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Security Agency to repay up to $10,000 per year (up to a lifetime limit of $80,000) for individuals who have educational debt. In exchange, they enter into employment agreements for at least 3 years.
Title II: Creates fellowships for graduate students to enter federal service at national security-type agencies. The same agencies outlined in Title I above could offer fellowships to graduate students of mathematics, science, engineering, or a foreign language; in return for this assistance, recipients would agree to work for the sponsoring agency for a period of at least 3 years. There is a twenty percent set-aside of these fellowships for current federal employees.
Title III: Establishes the National Security Service Corps, which allows federal national security agencies to conduct exchange programs for mid-level employees. The Corps is envisioned to be a professionally rewarding opportunity that also has clear benefits for parent agencies. The National Security Service Board, consisting of representatives of the member agencies as well as the Office of Personnel Management, will outline the specifics of the Corps.
Title IV: Requires agencies to address human capital needs, particularly those that relate to national security, in their strategic plans, performance plans, and performance reports.
"Homeland Security Education Act"
Title I: Subsidizes loan interest for persons who obtain undergraduate degrees in mathematics, science, or a foreign language. As long as they remain in repayment status and not in default, the Federal Government assumes the interest payments on their educational loans.
Title II: Directs the National Science Foundation to provide grants to elementary and secondary schools to build or expand their math and science curricula and to study the coordination of such efforts with those of the Department of Education. The Title also encourages private sector involvement through the donation of technology tools and establishment of internship and mentoring opportunities for math and science students.
Title III: Promotes foreign language education by developing grant programs for all educational levels (elementary school through university). University level programs include math and science studies that are taught in conjunction with, or are conducted entirely in, a foreign language. The bill also authorizes a National Flagship Language Initiative, which awards grants to universities producing graduates in critical language areas.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/120501press.htm
Homeland Security Workforce Bill Provides Powerful Incentives for Federal WorkersDecember 5, 2001
Washington, DC - Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) joined Senators Daniel Akaka (D-HI) and Richard Durbin (D-IL) today in introducing two bills detailing a comprehensive strategy to deal with both short and long-term deficiencies in the natural security workforce. The Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act and the Homeland Security Education Act seek to address specific problems in the federal government’s ability to recruit and retain national security professionals.
"We have to make sure federal agencies have the talent on hand to do the thousand daily tasks that don’t make the news but make us safer each and every day," said Senator Thompson. "These bills help the federal government get – and keep – that talent."
The Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act requires a strategic plan that assesses the status of the federal government's national security workforce and requires the integration of performance plans for the national security workforce into plans required by the Government Performance and Results Act. In addition, the bill provides loan forgiveness, fellowships and employee exchange programs in support of the federal national security workforce. The Homeland Security Education Act strengthens federal support of educational programs -- especially in math, science, and certain languages -- deemed important to the national security workforce.
The bills are the product of many of the recommendations made by the Hart / Rudman Commission on National Security in the 21st Century released earlier this year. The Commission said in its most recent report, "The maintenance of American power in the world depends on the quality of U.S. government personnel, civil and military, at all levels. We must take immediate action in the personnel area to ensure that the United States can meet future challenges.
Senator Thompson added, "Employing the best possible federal workforce is a matter of national security. The federal government’s workforce crisis is real and will remain unless we begin to think strategically about what our needs are and then match our most skilled people with opportunities for development and incentives to stay."
Experts have warned that the federal government faces immense challenges with its workforce, specifically citing the length of the hiring process, inability to retain employees, and an unprecedented increase in the percentage of retirements.
Summaries of the two bills are attached.
###
"Homeland Security Federal Workforce Act"
Title I: Expands the loan forgiveness program for federal employees in areas of national security. Allows Departments of Defense, State, Energy, and Justice as well as the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the National Security Agency to repay up to $10,000 per year (up to a lifetime limit of $80,000) for individuals who have educational debt. In exchange, they enter into employment agreements for at least 3 years.
Title II: Creates fellowships for graduate students to enter federal service at national security-type agencies. The same agencies outlined in Title I above could offer fellowships to graduate students of mathematics, science, engineering, or a foreign language; in return for this assistance, recipients would agree to work for the sponsoring agency for a period of at least 3 years. There is a twenty percent set-aside of these fellowships for current federal employees.
Title III: Establishes the National Security Service Corps, which allows federal national security agencies to conduct exchange programs for mid-level employees. The Corps is envisioned to be a professionally rewarding opportunity that also has clear benefits for parent agencies. The National Security Service Board, consisting of representatives of the member agencies as well as the Office of Personnel Management, will outline the specifics of the Corps.
Title IV: Requires agencies to address human capital needs, particularly those that relate to national security, in their strategic plans, performance plans, and performance reports.
"Homeland Security Education Act"
Title I: Subsidizes loan interest for persons who obtain undergraduate degrees in mathematics, science, or a foreign language. As long as they remain in repayment status and not in default, the Federal Government assumes the interest payments on their educational loans.
Title II: Directs the National Science Foundation to provide grants to elementary and secondary schools to build or expand their math and science curricula and to study the coordination of such efforts with those of the Department of Education. The Title also encourages private sector involvement through the donation of technology tools and establishment of internship and mentoring opportunities for math and science students.
Title III: Promotes foreign language education by developing grant programs for all educational levels (elementary school through university). University level programs include math and science studies that are taught in conjunction with, or are conducted entirely in, a foreign language. The bill also authorizes a National Flagship Language Initiative, which awards grants to universities producing graduates in critical language areas.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/120501press.htm
Thompson Applauds Mineta Airport Security Plan
Thompson Applauds Administration for BringingPerformance Management to Airport Security Operations Says Secretary Mineta’s Plan will Improve SecurityWednesday, October 31, 2001
WASHINGTON - Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) today applauded the Administration’s plan to use performance management as a tool to improve airport security.“Secretary Mineta has outlined an aggressive approach to securing our nation’s airports,” said Senator Thompson. “He is bringing performance management to airport security operations and holding airlines accountable where it counts. The current environment requires nothing less and I commend the Administration for insisting on improved performance in this area.” The Department of Transportation yesterday outlined new stricter security standards for aviation security and insisted that “airlines’ ability to move planes will be more strictly tied to their ability to maximize security.” The performance management strategy announced by Secretary Mineta will hold airlines, airports, and other organizations accountable for meeting these stricter security standards.An amendment offered by Senator Thompson to make performance management a permanent part of airport security management was included in the Aviation Security Act, which passed the Senate by a vote of 100 - 0.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/103101pressthompson.htm
WASHINGTON - Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) today applauded the Administration’s plan to use performance management as a tool to improve airport security.“Secretary Mineta has outlined an aggressive approach to securing our nation’s airports,” said Senator Thompson. “He is bringing performance management to airport security operations and holding airlines accountable where it counts. The current environment requires nothing less and I commend the Administration for insisting on improved performance in this area.” The Department of Transportation yesterday outlined new stricter security standards for aviation security and insisted that “airlines’ ability to move planes will be more strictly tied to their ability to maximize security.” The performance management strategy announced by Secretary Mineta will hold airlines, airports, and other organizations accountable for meeting these stricter security standards.An amendment offered by Senator Thompson to make performance management a permanent part of airport security management was included in the Aviation Security Act, which passed the Senate by a vote of 100 - 0.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/103101pressthompson.htm
Thompson Provision On Public Regulation Passes
SENATE AGAIN PASSES THOMPSON PROVISION PROMOTINGPUBLIC’S RIGHT TO KNOW COSTS AND BENEFITS OF REGULATION
Thompson Will Continue Push To Make Requirement Permanent
Washington, D.C. -- Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) announced that the Senate has again extended his reporting requirement for the federal government to disclose the costs and benefits of its regulations. His provision was first passed by Congress as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill last year. Senator Thompson has introduced legislation, S. 59, to make this requirement permanent.
“The public has a right to know the benefits and costs of government regulations,” Thompson said. “That’s why I sponsored this regulatory accounting legislation last year, and I’m pleased that the requirement was retained this year. It will shed light on the benefits and burdens of federal regulations, and it will hold federal regulators more accountable to make smarter, cost-effective decisions that get real results. I will continue to press to make this a permanent requirement.”
According to Thompson, the federal government has largely ignored the “off-budget” costs of government -- the economic burdens that federal regulations place on families, businesses, and state and local governments.
Thompson said he was pleased that last year his regulatory accounting amendment received broad bipartisan support and passed the Senate unanimously. This year, the Thompson provision again passed without objection.
“We represent diverse political viewpoints, but we all agree that we need to improve our regulatory system and make it more open and accountable,” Thompson said. “I’m pleased that both Republicans and Democrats can come together to make our government more efficient and effective.”
The Thompson language builds on and strengthens the regulatory accounting provision passed by Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) in 1996. It requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide Congress with an accounting statement of the total annual benefits and costs of federal regulatory programs in February 2001, along with a summary of public comments and suggestions for doing things better. It requires the OMB to analyze the impacts of federal rules on state and local government, as well as small business. The language also requires OMB to issue guidelines to the agencies and requires independent peer review of the report to improve the quality of these reports.
“This legislation will help hold federal regulators accountable and reduce needless waste and red tape,” Thompson said. “It will improve efforts to protect public health, safety and the environment, and to promote the economic security and well-being of our families and communities.”
The cost of federal regulatory programs has been estimated at $700 billion a year. The goal of this legislation is to help assess and improve the performance of those programs.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/070299_press.htm
Thompson Will Continue Push To Make Requirement Permanent
Washington, D.C. -- Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) announced that the Senate has again extended his reporting requirement for the federal government to disclose the costs and benefits of its regulations. His provision was first passed by Congress as part of the Omnibus Appropriations Bill last year. Senator Thompson has introduced legislation, S. 59, to make this requirement permanent.
“The public has a right to know the benefits and costs of government regulations,” Thompson said. “That’s why I sponsored this regulatory accounting legislation last year, and I’m pleased that the requirement was retained this year. It will shed light on the benefits and burdens of federal regulations, and it will hold federal regulators more accountable to make smarter, cost-effective decisions that get real results. I will continue to press to make this a permanent requirement.”
According to Thompson, the federal government has largely ignored the “off-budget” costs of government -- the economic burdens that federal regulations place on families, businesses, and state and local governments.
Thompson said he was pleased that last year his regulatory accounting amendment received broad bipartisan support and passed the Senate unanimously. This year, the Thompson provision again passed without objection.
“We represent diverse political viewpoints, but we all agree that we need to improve our regulatory system and make it more open and accountable,” Thompson said. “I’m pleased that both Republicans and Democrats can come together to make our government more efficient and effective.”
The Thompson language builds on and strengthens the regulatory accounting provision passed by Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) in 1996. It requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide Congress with an accounting statement of the total annual benefits and costs of federal regulatory programs in February 2001, along with a summary of public comments and suggestions for doing things better. It requires the OMB to analyze the impacts of federal rules on state and local government, as well as small business. The language also requires OMB to issue guidelines to the agencies and requires independent peer review of the report to improve the quality of these reports.
“This legislation will help hold federal regulators accountable and reduce needless waste and red tape,” Thompson said. “It will improve efforts to protect public health, safety and the environment, and to promote the economic security and well-being of our families and communities.”
The cost of federal regulatory programs has been estimated at $700 billion a year. The goal of this legislation is to help assess and improve the performance of those programs.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/070299_press.htm
Thompson-Warner Bill to Allow Homeland Security Agencies to Purchase Tools they Need to Fight Terror
Thompson and Warner Introduce Bill to Allow Homeland SecurityAgencies to Purchase Tools they Need to Fight Terrorism Agencies will now be able to purchase the high-tech tools they need more quickly and efficientlyThursday, December 6, 2001
Washington, DC - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) and Armed Services Ranking Member John Warner (R-VA) today introduced legislation at the request of the President, the Federal Emergency Procurement Flexibility Act, that will grant the Executive Branch expanded authority to purchase goods and services under expedited procedures in its fight against terrorism.
"In ordinary times, because of recent prtrained contracting officers," said Senator Thompson. "However," he continued, "these are not ordinary times."
ocurement policy reforms, we believe that a federal agency can buy most anything it needs quickly and efficiently under current law if it has good management practices in place and smart, well-The bill is intended to give federal agencies the flexibility they need to purchase the most high-tech and sophisticated products and services to support antiterrorism efforts and to defend against biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological or technological attacks. It builds on emergency contracting authority already in place for the Department of Defense and other agencies and goes further by providing additional contracting flexibilities.
"It is our responsibility to ensure that Federal agencies with a role in homeland security can purchase – quickly and efficiently – the most high-tech and sophisticated products and services to support antiterrorism efforts and to defend against biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological or technological attacks," said Senator Thompson.
The bill:
• Streamlines procurement procedures for contingency operations or peacekeeping and humanitarian operations;
• Permits agencies to use more "commercial-style" contracting contracting procedures for technologies or products which are cutting-edge;
• Allows agencies to use approaches other than contracts to buy research and development for new technologies to fight against terrorism; and• Requires agencies to do ongoing market research to identify new companies with new capabilities, including small businesses, to help agencies in the fight against terrorism.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/120601Thompsonpress.htm
Washington, DC - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) and Armed Services Ranking Member John Warner (R-VA) today introduced legislation at the request of the President, the Federal Emergency Procurement Flexibility Act, that will grant the Executive Branch expanded authority to purchase goods and services under expedited procedures in its fight against terrorism.
"In ordinary times, because of recent prtrained contracting officers," said Senator Thompson. "However," he continued, "these are not ordinary times."
ocurement policy reforms, we believe that a federal agency can buy most anything it needs quickly and efficiently under current law if it has good management practices in place and smart, well-The bill is intended to give federal agencies the flexibility they need to purchase the most high-tech and sophisticated products and services to support antiterrorism efforts and to defend against biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological or technological attacks. It builds on emergency contracting authority already in place for the Department of Defense and other agencies and goes further by providing additional contracting flexibilities.
"It is our responsibility to ensure that Federal agencies with a role in homeland security can purchase – quickly and efficiently – the most high-tech and sophisticated products and services to support antiterrorism efforts and to defend against biological, chemical, nuclear, radiological or technological attacks," said Senator Thompson.
The bill:
• Streamlines procurement procedures for contingency operations or peacekeeping and humanitarian operations;
• Permits agencies to use more "commercial-style" contracting contracting procedures for technologies or products which are cutting-edge;
• Allows agencies to use approaches other than contracts to buy research and development for new technologies to fight against terrorism; and• Requires agencies to do ongoing market research to identify new companies with new capabilities, including small businesses, to help agencies in the fight against terrorism.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/120601Thompsonpress.htm
Congress Passes Thompson Legislation Promoting Public Rights To Know Costs and Benefits of Regulation
CONGRESS PASSES THOMPSON LEGISLATION PROMOTING
PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW COSTS AND BENEFITS OF REGULATION
Washington, D.C. -- Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) announced that the FY 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, passed by the House yesterday and the Senate today, includes language Thompson introduced that will require the government to disclose the benefits and the costs of federal regulatory programs to the American people.
"It's time that we acknowledge the public's right to know the benefits and costs of government regulations," Thompson said. "That's why I sponsored this regulatory accounting legislation. It will shed light on the benefits and burdens of federal regulations, and it will hold federal regulators more accountable to make smart, cost-effective decisions that get real results."
The federal government has largely ignored the "off-budget" costs of government -- the economic burdens that federal regulations place on families, businesses, and state and local governments.
Thompson said he was pleased that Majority Leader Trent Lott, along with Senators John Breaux (D-LA), Charles Robb (D-VA) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), cosponsored an early version of the language, which passed the Senate unanimously in July as an amendment to the Treasury-Postal Appropriations Bill, S.2312.
"We represent diverse political viewpoints, but we all agree that we need to improve our regulatory system and make it more open and accountable," Thompson said. "I'm pleased that both Republicans and Democrats can come together to make our government more efficient and effective."
The Thompson Amendment builds on and strengthens the regulatory accounting provision passed by Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) in 1996. The Thompson language requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide Congress with an accounting statement of the total annual benefits and costs of federal regulatory programs in February 2000, along with a summary of public comments and suggestions for doing things better. It also requires the OMB to analyze the impacts of federal rules on state and local government, as well as small business. The amendment also requires OMB guidelines to the agencies and independent peer review of the report to improve the quality of these reports.
"This legislation will help hold federal regulators accountable and reduce needless waste and red tape," Thompson said. "It will improve efforts to protect public health, safety and the environment, and to promote the economic security and well-being of our families and communities."
The cost of federal regulatory programs is estimated at $700 billion a year. The goal of this legislation is to help assess and improve the performance of those programs.
Attached are Thompson's October 9 floor remarks.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/102198press.htm
PUBLIC'S RIGHT TO KNOW COSTS AND BENEFITS OF REGULATION
Washington, D.C. -- Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) announced that the FY 1999 Omnibus Appropriations Bill, passed by the House yesterday and the Senate today, includes language Thompson introduced that will require the government to disclose the benefits and the costs of federal regulatory programs to the American people.
"It's time that we acknowledge the public's right to know the benefits and costs of government regulations," Thompson said. "That's why I sponsored this regulatory accounting legislation. It will shed light on the benefits and burdens of federal regulations, and it will hold federal regulators more accountable to make smart, cost-effective decisions that get real results."
The federal government has largely ignored the "off-budget" costs of government -- the economic burdens that federal regulations place on families, businesses, and state and local governments.
Thompson said he was pleased that Majority Leader Trent Lott, along with Senators John Breaux (D-LA), Charles Robb (D-VA) and Richard Shelby (R-AL), cosponsored an early version of the language, which passed the Senate unanimously in July as an amendment to the Treasury-Postal Appropriations Bill, S.2312.
"We represent diverse political viewpoints, but we all agree that we need to improve our regulatory system and make it more open and accountable," Thompson said. "I'm pleased that both Republicans and Democrats can come together to make our government more efficient and effective."
The Thompson Amendment builds on and strengthens the regulatory accounting provision passed by Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK) in 1996. The Thompson language requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to provide Congress with an accounting statement of the total annual benefits and costs of federal regulatory programs in February 2000, along with a summary of public comments and suggestions for doing things better. It also requires the OMB to analyze the impacts of federal rules on state and local government, as well as small business. The amendment also requires OMB guidelines to the agencies and independent peer review of the report to improve the quality of these reports.
"This legislation will help hold federal regulators accountable and reduce needless waste and red tape," Thompson said. "It will improve efforts to protect public health, safety and the environment, and to promote the economic security and well-being of our families and communities."
The cost of federal regulatory programs is estimated at $700 billion a year. The goal of this legislation is to help assess and improve the performance of those programs.
Attached are Thompson's October 9 floor remarks.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/102198press.htm
Levin-Thompson Regulatory Improvement Act
SCIENTISTS COUNCIL BACKS SUBSTANCE OF LEVIN-THOMPSON BILL
Washington, DC--In a letter to Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, President of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH), said the group strongly agreed with the key cost/benefit and risk assessment provisions of the Regulatory Improvement Act (S. 981).
"To ask the Federal government," Whelan said, "to make use of better, modern decision-making tools such as cost-benefit and risk-analysis safeguards is plain common sense, good public policy and good science."
With respect to concerns that the measure's cost-benefit and risk-assessment provisions might not protect against hazards such as tainted meat, toxic wastes and polluted water, Whelan said "these fears represent a basic misunderstanding of cost-benefit and risk assessment because such tests would be the strongest evidence that regulation is indeed necessary."
Thompson said, "I am very pleased that this respected group of prominent scientists and physicians would support the key elements of the Regulatory Improvement Act. The Levin-Thompson bill requires the federal government to make better use of modern decision-making tools such as risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis, which are currently under-utilized. Right now, these tools are simply options--options which are not used as often or as well as they should be. Our legislation will help the government focus money and other resources on the most serious problems."
The American Council on Science and Health is a non-profit, consumer-education consortium of more than 250 leading scientists and physicians. The association publishes numerous materials on important health topics, which are available on their web page at www.acsh.org.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/032498.htm
Washington, DC--In a letter to Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) Dr. Elizabeth Whelan, President of the American Council on Science and Health (ACSH), said the group strongly agreed with the key cost/benefit and risk assessment provisions of the Regulatory Improvement Act (S. 981).
"To ask the Federal government," Whelan said, "to make use of better, modern decision-making tools such as cost-benefit and risk-analysis safeguards is plain common sense, good public policy and good science."
With respect to concerns that the measure's cost-benefit and risk-assessment provisions might not protect against hazards such as tainted meat, toxic wastes and polluted water, Whelan said "these fears represent a basic misunderstanding of cost-benefit and risk assessment because such tests would be the strongest evidence that regulation is indeed necessary."
Thompson said, "I am very pleased that this respected group of prominent scientists and physicians would support the key elements of the Regulatory Improvement Act. The Levin-Thompson bill requires the federal government to make better use of modern decision-making tools such as risk assessment and cost-benefit analysis, which are currently under-utilized. Right now, these tools are simply options--options which are not used as often or as well as they should be. Our legislation will help the government focus money and other resources on the most serious problems."
The American Council on Science and Health is a non-profit, consumer-education consortium of more than 250 leading scientists and physicians. The association publishes numerous materials on important health topics, which are available on their web page at www.acsh.org.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/032498.htm
Thompson on IRS Accountability to Public
COMMITTEE HEARING ON IRS MANAGEMENT, PERSONNEL PRACTICES LOOKS AT IMPROVING IRS, CIVIL SERVICE ACCOUNTABILITY TO PUBLIC
Washington, DC--At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs today Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) said that lessons learned in reviewing the management practices and flexibilities at the Internal Revenue Service should be examined to determine their applicability across the broad spectrum of Civil Service.
"We are here today to take a close look at the management practices employed by the Internal Revenue Service," Thompson said, "and at how we might best restructure and improve the operations of this frontline agency which every day affects the quality of life of American taxpayers. It is important for us to learn what management and personnel practices should be used to increase accountability by the IRS to the American people.
"If these management tools and practices help the IRS become more customer friendly and responsive to its customers, then we need to consider whether they might be applicable as well to other federal agencies.
"Each agency has its own unique mandate, goals and mission, and we clearly need to be careful that we don't create a complex maze of personnel systems which conflict with one another or run counter to our goal of making government more and more accountable to the people it serves.
"But we also need to find out what works best. We must determine if federal departments and agencies should be provided wide-ranging flexibility in their management and personnel plans, or whether there should be a substantial federal overlay which stretches across all agencies and missions. These are not easy questions to answer, and they deserve our best effort to find appropriate management solutions."
http://hsgac.senate.gov/031298.htm
Washington, DC--At a hearing of the Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs today Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) said that lessons learned in reviewing the management practices and flexibilities at the Internal Revenue Service should be examined to determine their applicability across the broad spectrum of Civil Service.
"We are here today to take a close look at the management practices employed by the Internal Revenue Service," Thompson said, "and at how we might best restructure and improve the operations of this frontline agency which every day affects the quality of life of American taxpayers. It is important for us to learn what management and personnel practices should be used to increase accountability by the IRS to the American people.
"If these management tools and practices help the IRS become more customer friendly and responsive to its customers, then we need to consider whether they might be applicable as well to other federal agencies.
"Each agency has its own unique mandate, goals and mission, and we clearly need to be careful that we don't create a complex maze of personnel systems which conflict with one another or run counter to our goal of making government more and more accountable to the people it serves.
"But we also need to find out what works best. We must determine if federal departments and agencies should be provided wide-ranging flexibility in their management and personnel plans, or whether there should be a substantial federal overlay which stretches across all agencies and missions. These are not easy questions to answer, and they deserve our best effort to find appropriate management solutions."
http://hsgac.senate.gov/031298.htm
Thompson Federal Regulatory Improvement Act of 1998
THOMPSON ANNOUNCES GAO REPORT RESULTS: UNFUNDED MANDATES ACT HAS LITTLE EFFECT ON FEDERAL RULEMAKING, SHOWS NEED FOR REGULATORY IMPROVEMENT ACT
Washington, DC-Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) today announced that in response to his study request, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) has issued a report showing that the Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995 has had little effect on the way federal agencies make rules. Thompson is sponsoring legislation to make regulation more effective and efficient.
"When I became Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee last year, I asked the General Accounting Office to investigate whether the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 was improving regulations, which was one of its goals," Thompson said. "Unfortunately, the answer is no."
"These findings show the need for reform legislation to shine some light on the rulemaking process, to improve the quality of agency decisions, and to make the federal government more accountable to the people it serves. The federal government should be more sensitive to how unfunded mandates and red tape can burden communities and interfere with state priorities.
"I view the Regulatory Improvement Act of 1998 as really phase two of the unfunded mandates reform effort, because it will make federal regulators-not just Congress-more sensitive to local needs."
Thompson, along with Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), this week made public their bipartisan Regulatory Improvement Act of 1998, which they believe will result in smarter, more effective and more efficient regulations by improving the way agencies make regulatory decisions.
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 was designed to keep the federal government from imposing expensive mandates on states and local governments without paying for them. In part, it requires federal agencies to prepare a written analysis of any especially costly mandates handed down to State, local or tribal governments.
However, the recent GAO report entitled, Unfunded Mandates: Reform Act Has Had Little Effect on Agencies' Rulemaking Actions, finds that the legislation has failed to improve the way federal agencies make rulemaking decisions.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/020698.htm
Washington, DC-Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) today announced that in response to his study request, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) has issued a report showing that the Unfunded Mandates Act of 1995 has had little effect on the way federal agencies make rules. Thompson is sponsoring legislation to make regulation more effective and efficient.
"When I became Chairman of the Governmental Affairs Committee last year, I asked the General Accounting Office to investigate whether the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 was improving regulations, which was one of its goals," Thompson said. "Unfortunately, the answer is no."
"These findings show the need for reform legislation to shine some light on the rulemaking process, to improve the quality of agency decisions, and to make the federal government more accountable to the people it serves. The federal government should be more sensitive to how unfunded mandates and red tape can burden communities and interfere with state priorities.
"I view the Regulatory Improvement Act of 1998 as really phase two of the unfunded mandates reform effort, because it will make federal regulators-not just Congress-more sensitive to local needs."
Thompson, along with Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), this week made public their bipartisan Regulatory Improvement Act of 1998, which they believe will result in smarter, more effective and more efficient regulations by improving the way agencies make regulatory decisions.
The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 was designed to keep the federal government from imposing expensive mandates on states and local governments without paying for them. In part, it requires federal agencies to prepare a written analysis of any especially costly mandates handed down to State, local or tribal governments.
However, the recent GAO report entitled, Unfunded Mandates: Reform Act Has Had Little Effect on Agencies' Rulemaking Actions, finds that the legislation has failed to improve the way federal agencies make rulemaking decisions.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/020698.htm
Thompson Legislation to Protect Federal Information Systems
Thompson Introduces Legislation to Protect Federal Computer and Information Systems
Wednesday, October 9, 2002
Washington, DC - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) has introduced legislation to prevent the lapse of the Government Information Security Reform Act (GISRA), an important law which protects federal information systems from vulnerability to computer attacks by international and domestic terrorists, crime rings, and hackers.
"According to a recent survey, a majority of information technology professionals believe a major attack against the government is likely in the next year, and even more recognize the gap between the threat of an attack and the government’s preparedness. This is very telling. We are fighting a new war in a new age on unconventional fronts. We can not afford to overlook our nation’s technology infrastructure as we secure our homeland," said Thompson.
After numerous Governmental Affairs Committee hearings and General Accounting Office reports identifying systematic failures of government information systems, Congress enacted the Government Information Security Reform Act, which requires federal agencies to develop and implement security policies. The law also provides the Office of Management and Budget with the authority to demand from agencies better plans for improving computer security. However, this law includes a sunset provision and is set to expire November 29, 2002. Senator Thompson’s legislation,
S. 3067, repeals the sunset and makes permanent the Government Information Security Reform Act.
"We must ensure that Federal agencies continue to protect their assets and prevent hackers and cyberterrorists from wreaking havoc with citizens’ sensitive information. Americans trust that their personal information, such as taxpayer data, veterans’ medical records, and social security portfolios, will be kept safe. Information security is too important to let this bill expire."
http://hsgac.senate.gov/100902press.htm
Wednesday, October 9, 2002
Washington, DC - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) has introduced legislation to prevent the lapse of the Government Information Security Reform Act (GISRA), an important law which protects federal information systems from vulnerability to computer attacks by international and domestic terrorists, crime rings, and hackers.
"According to a recent survey, a majority of information technology professionals believe a major attack against the government is likely in the next year, and even more recognize the gap between the threat of an attack and the government’s preparedness. This is very telling. We are fighting a new war in a new age on unconventional fronts. We can not afford to overlook our nation’s technology infrastructure as we secure our homeland," said Thompson.
After numerous Governmental Affairs Committee hearings and General Accounting Office reports identifying systematic failures of government information systems, Congress enacted the Government Information Security Reform Act, which requires federal agencies to develop and implement security policies. The law also provides the Office of Management and Budget with the authority to demand from agencies better plans for improving computer security. However, this law includes a sunset provision and is set to expire November 29, 2002. Senator Thompson’s legislation,
S. 3067, repeals the sunset and makes permanent the Government Information Security Reform Act.
"We must ensure that Federal agencies continue to protect their assets and prevent hackers and cyberterrorists from wreaking havoc with citizens’ sensitive information. Americans trust that their personal information, such as taxpayer data, veterans’ medical records, and social security portfolios, will be kept safe. Information security is too important to let this bill expire."
http://hsgac.senate.gov/100902press.htm
House Adopts Thompson Aviation Security Amendment
HOUSE/SENATE CONFEREES ADOPT THOMPSON AMENDMENT REQUIRING STRICT PERFORMANCE STANDARDS FOR AVIATION SECURITYMeasure Provides Accountability to Aviation Security BillFriday, November 16, 2001
WASHINGTON - The House/Senate Conference on the Aviation Security Bill today adopted an amendment by Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) to the Aviation Security Act requiring the federal government to enforce strict standards for airport security personnel. The Thompson measure requires that those responsible for airport security be held accountable for meeting measurable performance goals, particularly involving the detection of dangerous objects."We're changing the basic mindset with regard to measuring airport security performance," Thompson said, noting that in the past government performance standards have focused on measuring things such as time spent training and hours worked between breaks."The primary concern of the American people is the bottom line - whether or not dangerous objects are getting past screeners and whether or not unauthorized individuals are gaining access to secure areas in our airports. That's what people care about, that's what we're going to measure from now on, and that's how employee performance will be judged," Thompson said. "This is the kind of thing that will restore confidence in air travel."At a Wednesday, November 14 Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on aviation security, Department of Transportation Inspector General Kenneth Mead testified that in order to improve aviation security, we must "require passenger and baggage screeners to have uniform, more rigorous . . . performance standards nationwide." He applauded the Thompson amendment to the Aviation Security Act, calling the requirement to set measurable goals and objectives for aviation security "particularly noteworthy. It is important that performance standards be established for screeners, whether they are federal or contract employees," Mead stated.Thompson's amendment requires the new head of aviation security to implement results-based management in airport security operations by establishing an annual staff performance management system that includes requiring managers and employees to meet individual, group, and organizational performance goals consistent with an annual performance plan.The Thompson amendment also requires the new head of aviation security to establish specific performance standards and establish a long-term process for reporting performance results to Congress annually.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/111601thompsonpress.htm
WASHINGTON - The House/Senate Conference on the Aviation Security Bill today adopted an amendment by Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) to the Aviation Security Act requiring the federal government to enforce strict standards for airport security personnel. The Thompson measure requires that those responsible for airport security be held accountable for meeting measurable performance goals, particularly involving the detection of dangerous objects."We're changing the basic mindset with regard to measuring airport security performance," Thompson said, noting that in the past government performance standards have focused on measuring things such as time spent training and hours worked between breaks."The primary concern of the American people is the bottom line - whether or not dangerous objects are getting past screeners and whether or not unauthorized individuals are gaining access to secure areas in our airports. That's what people care about, that's what we're going to measure from now on, and that's how employee performance will be judged," Thompson said. "This is the kind of thing that will restore confidence in air travel."At a Wednesday, November 14 Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on aviation security, Department of Transportation Inspector General Kenneth Mead testified that in order to improve aviation security, we must "require passenger and baggage screeners to have uniform, more rigorous . . . performance standards nationwide." He applauded the Thompson amendment to the Aviation Security Act, calling the requirement to set measurable goals and objectives for aviation security "particularly noteworthy. It is important that performance standards be established for screeners, whether they are federal or contract employees," Mead stated.Thompson's amendment requires the new head of aviation security to implement results-based management in airport security operations by establishing an annual staff performance management system that includes requiring managers and employees to meet individual, group, and organizational performance goals consistent with an annual performance plan.The Thompson amendment also requires the new head of aviation security to establish specific performance standards and establish a long-term process for reporting performance results to Congress annually.
http://hsgac.senate.gov/111601thompsonpress.htm
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Fred Thompson
Former U.S. Senator (R-TN)
