A Third Option for the Debt Ceiling Debate: Cut Waste Before Programs
The debt ceiling debate has been a constant conversation in the United States for years. Both Republicans and Democrats constantly weigh their options, either to cut social programs or raise the debt ceiling. As the current debate drags on, it is essential to come up with new ideas to solve the nation’s financial challenges. So, what if there was a third option to consider? What if we cut waste, not programs? Let’s explore this idea together.
Waste is a significant issue in the government that needs addressing. Cutting waste does not mean cutting the vital services citizens rely on daily. Instead, it is about identifying and removing unnecessary spending. In 2019, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) identified more than $1.4 trillion in wasteful expenditures. If we address these wasteful spending habits and reallocate the unused resources to fund necessary programs, we can make significant progress toward reducing our national debt.
The next question is, how do we identify these wasteful expenditures? First, we can begin by maximizing the use of technology. The federal government can use digital resources to streamline processes, eliminate redundancies, and save billions of dollars each year. Currently, applications such as USASpending.gov track government spending at the federal level. Lawmakers should use these resources to pinpoint staggering spending habits and get serious about cutting wasteful spending effectively.
Moreover, we can also look at cost-cutting measures in particular departments. For example, the U.S. Department of Defense has a history of buying overpriced equipment and supplies. In 2019, a report from the Pentagon found that the Defense Logistics Agency purchased $32.8 million worth of spare parts that were still in the government’s inventory. Despite this bloat, more than 25 percent of our nation’s military are food insecure and require SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits to feed their families, putting a strain on another department’s budget. These are the areas where we can cut wasteful spending, reallocate dollars to where financial support is truly needed, and create a paradigm shift in our national budget.
Upgrading technology can also help reduce the waste caused by fraud in the SNAP program. Millions of dollars are lost due to card skimming EBT Cards used by SNAP participants. While today’s credit cards use more sophisticated chip-and-pin technologies to protect cardholders, EBT cards used in the SNAP program are little better than hotel keycards and don’t have the fraud reimbursement protections Visa and Mastercard offer.
Congress can also cut waste by reducing corporate tax loopholes and making sure that all corporations pay their fair share. Over the last few decades, many corporations have been able to avoid paying taxes by using loopholes and offshore accounts. By closing these loopholes and increasing tax enforcement, the government could recover billions of dollars that could be used to reduce the deficit.
Finally, the government can take this opportunity to invest in green technologies and lead the way in saving the environment. For example, we can decrease energy costs by implementing solar power infrastructure in pre-existing federal facilities. An average of 80 percent of the federal government’s greenhouse gas emissions is from direct energy use. If we could focus on renewable energy sources, the government can help save the environment while reducing costs.
In conclusion, politicians need to start coming up with new strategies to solve the country’s financial crisis. As the debt ceiling problem drags on, we must explore alternative options to address the issue most effectively. Cutting waste instead of programs can be a third option to consider. Making efficient investments, reviewing and eliminating wasteful spending, and tracking government spending through digital resources are essential steps to get a win-win. Through this, it is possible to streamline processes, improve government services, and still save taxpayers money. Cutting waste instead of programs is a powerful tool to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the national debt crisis.
