From Press Release
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND) introduced the bipartisan Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act of 2015, legislation to streamline federal government projects which in turn would help eliminate wasting resources and would protect and safeguard taxpayer dollars. This bill would hold the federal government accountable to adopt the program management standards, practices and procedures of high-performing, private sector organizations.
A recent GAO report revealed many federal government projects are grossly over budget, delayed or fail to meet their projected goals. It is not just one department that struggles with program/project management – these failures and issues plague multiple federal agencies.
Reports have found that without proper program management in place, agencies can waste up to billions of dollars to fix a problem that could have otherwise been identified from the onset if program management best practices were used.
By utilizing the best practices of the private sector, this legislation provides the framework for effective and efficient management of federal government programs. It identifies the personnel to be held responsible, increases accountability to certify management competencies, and places the necessary focus on processes that are critical to effectively delivering major projects and programs. This legislation leaves current organizational structures in place and gives agencies the flexibility they need to fix this problem.
“Iowans expect a government that functions properly and efficiently while also serving as a good steward of taxpayer dollars,” Ernst said. “The Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act streamlines efforts and outlines strategies to correct widespread deficiencies, lax oversight and unnecessary cost incurred by preventable delays in meeting stated program goals and deadlines. These much needed reforms ensure that taxpayer dollars are safeguarded by increasing accountability throughout the federal government.”
This legislation is the Senate companion bill to the bipartisan H.R. 2144, introduced by Congressmen Todd Young (R-IN) and Gerald Connolly (D-VA).
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