Republican proposes ‘duplication score’ for legislation

Rep. Frank Guinta (R-N.H.) introduced a measure to require the Congressional Research Service to verify whether a proposed bill would duplicate existing government programs.

Guinta said his proposal would help reduce the national debt and prevent inflated bureaucracy. 

{mosads}”The government’s irresponsible spending has led to billions of your dollars being wasted to fund projects that already exist. Instead of ensuring that the most truly in need receive a hand up, your taxpayer dollars are instead being handed out to increase Washington’s bureaucracy,” Guinta said on the House floor.

Under Guinta’s resolution, H. Res. 45, every bill would receive a “duplication score” against what already is law.

“Every piece of legislation awaiting consideration by Congress would receive a duplication score by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, with the goal of providing members the necessary knowledge to identify whether or not a new bill creates a new program or project that already exists within our government,” Guinta said.