Last week House Minority Leader John Boehner & House Minority Whip Eric Cantor submitted a letter to President Obama outlining proposals to reduce the Deficit and provide savings for American Taxpayers. Here are a few highlights of these proposals.  The bottom line is, we’ve got to stop spending money we don’t have, and probably can’t get even if we wanted to. 

Terminate Funding For The National Drug Intelligence Center
 
The National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) has been the subject of significant public debate recently because it unnecessarily duplicates the work of other agencies and its justification seems to have more to do with its powerful patron than its benefits to the taxpayer. Terminating NDIC would save taxpayers $44 million next year and $220 million over five years.

Eliminate Unnecessary Federal Offices Such As The Treasurer Of the United States

The office of the Treasurer of the United States was established on September 6, 1777. The Treasurer was originally charged with the receipt and custody of government funds. Over 200 years, the duties of the Treasurer changed significantly.  At different times, the Treasurer managed the government’s balance sheets and the printing of our currency. Many of these duties over time were given over to more specialized offices and officers, including the Financial Management Service and the Bureau of Printing and Engraving – but the office of the Treasurer remained in place. The most recent organizational chart for the Department of Treasury makes clear that none of these or any other offices report to the Treasurer. The job description contained on the Treasury’s website describes the Treasurer as a consultant, advisor, spokesman, and surrogate within the Department.

There are many examples of places the government can save…we’ll do more of these tomorrow.