Congressional Wasteful Spending

Government waste refers to inefficient or unnecessary spending of taxpayer money. Examples include improper Medicare payments, misused funds for outdated technology, and spending on projects that don't serve public interest. Some instances of government waste include overspending on certain projects, like the Department of Defense spending on union-related work instead of federal jobs, or funding for projects that are not actually needed, like the Department of Homeland Security's spending on military-style vehicles for non-essential purposes. 

Here are some specific examples of government waste:

• Improper Payments:

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The Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that the federal government made $236 billion in improper payments in the past fiscal year, with over $186 billion concentrated in five program areas, including Medicare, Medicaid, and the Paycheck Protection Program. 

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• Unused Software and Licenses:

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An agency spent over $35 million on unused software licenses and fines due to a lack of tracking and understanding of their prior purchases. 

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• Unjustified Spending on "Non-Defense" Projects:

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The Department of Defense (DOD) is facing scrutiny for spending on projects that are not directly related to national defense or medical needs for military personnel, such as non-military research and development. 

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• Fraudulent Unemployment Payments:

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Large sums of money have been fraudulently paid out as unemployment benefits to individuals with fraudulent claims, including those with future birthdates and individuals listed as 115 years old. 

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• Wasted Funds on Unused Technology:

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The IRS misused $21 million for outdated technology, which is an example of funds being wasted on inefficient purchases. 

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• Spending on Non-Essential Items:

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The Oklahoma State University reports on the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), where funds were used to purchase things like sno-cone machines and domestic drones. 

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• Funding for Programs with Little Public Benefit:

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The National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) funded projects such as city park circuses and ice-skating drag queens. 

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• Spending on Foreign Aid Programs with Unintended Consequences:

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The White House highlights cases where foreign aid funds have been misused, such as supporting poppy cultivation and heroin production in Afghanistan. 

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• Spending on "Pork Barrel" Projects:

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"Pork barrel" projects are those where funding is allocated to specific areas with limited benefit to the broader public, such as funding for a golf course in Atlanta or a museum celebrating the Army Corps of Engineers. 

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Thirty-seven government spending priorities are considered highly vulnerable to fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement, according to the latest list from the independent and nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO).

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The GAO provides unbiased, fact-based information to save taxpayers money and encourage government more efficiency. Since 1990, it has produced a list of federal programs at high risk for financial issues and in need of reform.

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Which government programs are vulnerable to waste, fraud, abuse, or mismanagement?

 

Of the 37 programs included on the list, 26 have been designated as high-risk for at least 10 years. Five programs have been on the list since its first iteration in 1990.

The 2023 list included three new areas of spending:

• the federal prison system

• the Department of Health and Human Services’ management of public health emergencies

• the unemployment insurance system

The GAO has identified 37 programs as high-risk.

 

A table listing the 37 high-risk programs according to the GAO.

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Table with 2 columns and 37 rows. Currently displaying rows 1 to 15.

DOD Weapon Systems Acquisition1990

Acquisition and Program Management for DOE’s National Nuclear Security Administration and Office of Environmental Management1990

Enforcement of Tax Laws1990

Medicare Program and Improper Payments1990

NASA Acquisition Management1990

DOD Contract Management1992

DOD Business Systems Modernization1995

DOD Financial Management1995

Ensuring the Cybersecurity of the Nation1997

Strategic Human Capital Management2001

Improving and Modernizing Federal Disability Programs2003

Managing Federal Real Property2003

Strengthening Department of Homeland Security IT and Financial Management Functions2003

Strengthening Medicaid Program Integrity2003

DOD Approach to Business Transformation2005

Source: Government Accountability Office