Rep. Bill Owens (D-Plattsburgh) has introduced legislation to put into law federal spending cuts outlined in a series of reports by the General Accountability Office (GAO).

Owens’ bill, the Spending Reduction Act, would require executive agencies to put into place the efficiencies identified by the GAO after reporting to Congress and the president on how they would enact the recommendations.

“The GAO identified $100 billion or more in savings the federal government can achieve without reducing services or endangering federal programs, but now we must fully implement these cuts,” said Owens.

“As sequestration takes its toll across the country and deficits remain at dangerous levels, we cannot wait any longer to responsibly address America’s spending crisis,” Owens said. “Wherever there are reasonable, common-sense options to reduce federal spending, it is incumbent upon Congress and the administration to take action.”

In addition to requiring implementation of the GAO’s report, the “Spending Reduction Act” would provide a road map to achieve savings outlined by the GAO, according to a statement from Owens’ office.

The bill requires agency heads to issue a report to Congress and the president with their assessment of the GAO’s findings and the status of that agency’s efforts to implement the cuts. This assessment would include estimated costs and savings of implementation, an outline of any legislation necessary to carry out these findings, and an evaluation from the Inspector General’s office on whether the agency’s opinion is consistent with GAO’s findings.

“By holding agencies accountable for the GAO’s findings, we can ensure the reports aren’t being ignored and every opportunity to save taxpayer funds is given full consideration,” Owens said.

On March 1, 2011, t

The GAO released its first report (http://gao.gov/products/GAO-11-318SP) in 2011 identifying 81 opportunities to reduce potential duplication and save tax dollars.

Although GAO did not put a total price tag on the savings it identified in the report, Owens’ statement points to a New York Times report (http://www.nytimes.com/gwire/2011/03/01/01greenwire-gao-audit-hits-agencies-for-uncoordinated-ineff-2671.html) indicating at least $100 billion in savings might be realized.

The GAO identified additional savings in two subsequent reports since 2011.

Rep. Owens’ legislation is supported by co-sponsors from both parties.

Owens, a retired Air Force officer, represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes St. Lawrence County and the area from Lake George and Lake Champlain in the east to Lake Ontario and south into the Adirondack Park.