David Walker, a former U. S. Comptroller General, believes President Donald Trump has a significant opportunity to reduce the size of the federal government. Walker points out that the government has grown too large and inefficient, leading to substantial debt. He suggests several strategies to achieve considerable budget savings.
1. Government Inefficiency: Walker criticizes the government for its size, excessive commitments, and lack of budget control. He describes it as “flying blind in mountains of debt. ”
2. Walker’s Background: He has a history of trying to eliminate waste and fraud within the government, holding positions related to Social Security and the Government Accountability Office from 1998 to 2008.
3. Plan for Trump: Walker presented a plan for Trump to significantly cut government spending, including:
• Fixing high-risk federal programs identified by the GAO.
• Using annual reports on improper payments to reduce waste.
• Streamlining agencies and programs based on duplication and redundancy reports.
• Mandating checks against the Social Security database to stop payments to deceased individuals.
4. Estimated Savings: He estimates that these initiatives could save "hundreds of billions" annually.
5. DOGE Efforts: Walker commented on the DOGE initiative by Elon Musk, stating it highlighted potential savings but lacked congressional follow-up to achieve real financial benefits. He emphasized that ending contracts or grants does not automatically equal savings; Congress must officially rescind funding.
6. Trump Administration Actions: In the current year, the Trump administration has canceled substantial contracts, saving tens of billions. Walker noted that Trump's broader plan includes seeking to eliminate the U. S. Education Department.
7. Focus on Entitlement Programs: Walker identifies significant savings within entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Social Security, by eliminating fraud and waste. He advocates for modernized data-sharing systems that can detect ineligible payments.
8. Need for Modernization: He stresses the importance of updating information systems to prevent fraud and improve efficiency, using Brazil as an example of a country with a consolidated system.
9. Constitutional Amendment Proposal: Lastly, Walker discusses the need for a Convention of the States to introduce a constitutional amendment that would constrain Congress concerning national debt relative to the economy and promote fiscal discipline.
David Walker believes by following his proposed strategies, President Trump can lead the charge in reducing government inefficiency and debt. Walker emphasizes the significance of data modernization, structural changes to federal programs, and constitutional reforms as crucial steps toward making government more accountable and sustainable.
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