THOMPSON AND LIEBERMAN LAUD REPORTS CONSOLIDATION ACT PASSAGE

Bill Gives American People True Picture of What Agencies Are Achieving

Washington - Senate Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Fred Thompson (R-TN) and Ranking Minority Member Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) today lauded Senate passage of S. 2712, the Reports Consolidation Act of 2000, legislation allowing federal agencies to consolidate into one annual report several different financial and performance management reports now required by law.

"By providing a comprehensive picture of each agency’s performance, these reports will give Congress and the American people a true picture of what federal agencies are achieving - or not achieving - with taxpayer dollars," Chairman Thompson said. "They will be vital tools in our efforts to improve government performance."

"These reports will provide key information about an agency's finances and performance in a single, consolidated document that will make it easier for Congress and the American public to understand what government is accomplishing," said Senator Lieberman.

According to Thompson and Lieberman, the report will include key information about the management of an agency's finances as well as data on the extent to which an agency is accomplishing its goals. It will also include a summary and assessment by the agency's Inspector General of the most serious management and performance challenges facing the agency and the agency's progress in addressing them.

Beginning in 2003, the consolidated report would be due for most agencies by March 1 of each year, in time to be analyzed by members of Congress prior to the start of the appropriations process. (Agencies will have until March 31 to submit these reports in 2001 and 2002.)

The Reports Consolidation Act was approved by unanimous consent of the Senate on July 19, 2000, and will now be considered by the House of Representatives.

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