Nelson (D-Ne) gets heat on GAO cuts

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Joseph Morton
WORLD-HERALD BUREAU

WASHINGTON — The Government Accountability Office represents a tiny portion of the overall federal budget, but it's now at the heart of some contentious Capitol Hill wrangling.

Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., has been steering a bill that would trim overall spending in the legislative branch, including cuts to the GAO, an independent, nonpartisan agency that, among other things, investigates the waste, fraud and abuse of federal taxpayer money.

Critics say Nelson's proposal is penny-wise and pound-foolish in cutting back the watchdog agency, but Nelson insists that he's just asking every part of the federal government to do its part during lean budget times.

Sen. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., called Nelson's legislation a “secret war against oversight” in a recent editorial he penned for the Washington Examiner.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20111005/NEWS01/111009848#nelson-gets-heat-on-gao-cuts

[xchrom]

1. Recommend

[WhiteTara]

2. Nelson wants a piece of the tar sand pipeline pie. n/t

[OnyxCollie]

3. Never thought I'd agree with Tom Coburn. nt

[Owl]

4. My thoughts exactly.

[Scuba]

5. Thanks Steve for helping to hold this DINO's feet to the fire. n/t