CONGRESSMAN TOM REED JOINS LLOYD DOGGETT (D-TX) TO INTRODUCE BIPARTISAN STANDARD DATA ACT OF 2012; Legislation will help target limited local taxpayer dollars

Citing the need for bipartisan cooperation in ensuring a lean and efficient federal government, Committee on Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee Member Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY), joined Ranking Member Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) to introduce the Standard Data and Technology Advancement Act of 2012, or the “Standard DATA Act.”

“In order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our federal human services programs, it is important that these programs operate on a common format,” said Reed. “By using a common language and consistent data standards, we can increase the integrity and effectiveness of these programs – saving taxpayer dollars as a result. We need to ensure that those eligible for benefit programs are able to access them while establishing a long-term system for increasing transparency.”

“This bill is a good step toward ensuring government programs are able to communicate effectively and efficiently with each other – a step that will ultimately address fraud and abuse, while at the same time helping eligible Americans receive the assistance that they need,” said Congressman Doggett.

The Standard DATA Act requires consistent data requirements across key human service programs under the jurisdiction of the Human Resources subcommittee, which will help to more efficiently administer programs and ensure government programs are set up to communicate effectively with one another. The legislation follows up on similar data standardization language included in the bipartisan Public Law 112-34, the Child and Family Services Improvement and Innovation Act, and Public Law 112-96, the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012.

#####