Government Reform
Overview
We live in the greatest nation on earth, and my job is to make sure we preserve America’s promise for future generations. I’m a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (OGR), the main investigative body in the House, and I focus extensively on government reform issues.
My "Fixing Congress" speech in 2011 helped to launch a series of reform measures to cut government waste and eliminate, increase transparency and make the government work better for its citizens. I’m a founding member of the “Fix Congress Now” and “No Labels” groups and have been named a “Problem-Solver” for my commitment to working across the aisle and putting nation before party.
One of my proposed reforms, “No Budget, No Pay” is now the law of the land, and more reform efforts are underway including the launch of a major bipartisan reform package in July. One of my efforts to eliminate wasteful and duplicative programs was approved by the 113th Congress as a rules measure. I’ve also introduced bipartisan legislation requiring federal agencies to produce an annual a list of their programs and submit it to the Office of Management and Budget so we can identify additional duplicative efforts.
We need more accountability and transparency in our nation’s finances. The Consolidated Financial Report of the United States Government is the most important government financial document because it shows a real picture of our nation’s finances, but most folks don’t even know it exists. It is the only government document that includes liabilities like Medicare and Social Security that are on the country's "credit card" for future payment, and it’s published every year by the Treasury. In 2006, I wrote a foreword to the Financial Report which was published, along with the full report text, and available in bookstores across America. A subcommittee of OGR held a hearing on the 2011 report, and you can watch video of my comments here.
As one of the first members to reject earmarks, I am glad that we again have a ban on earmarks this Congress. But we need a permanent fix, and that's why I'm working on legislation to completely end the practice.
I also continue to support redistricting reform and was proud once again to introduce the Redistricting Transparency Act, which would curb the practice of gerrymandering by letting the public participate in the Congressional redistricting process.
Links & Additional Information
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
U.S. Government Accountability Office
Recovery.Gov
Financial Report of the United States Government
More on Government Reform
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House this week passed a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-5) and U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-7) that would require the federal government to highlight ways to eliminate duplicative programs.
Cleared without opposition in the House this week, the Taxpayers Right-to-Know Act also unanimously passed the House in the last session of Congress. The bill would compel each federal agency to publish an annual report card for every program.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05) has reintroduced legislation that would stop congressional pay if America defaults on the national debt.
“Risking default is like playing with nitroglycerin. Never a good idea,” Rep. Cooper said. “This is much worse than shutting down government. This would be shutting down America. If Members of Congress betray our country by forcing America to default on our debts, we do not deserve to be paid. In fact, we deserve worse punishments.”
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05) and U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney (SC-05) today introduced the Earmark Elimination Act of 2015. The bipartisan bill would ban earmarks permanently from the legislative process.
WASHINGTON – A bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-5) and U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg (MI-7) that would require the federal government to find ways to eliminate duplicative programs today passed the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05) and U.S. Rep. Reid Ribble (WI-8) today reintroduced two bills that would stop the secretive practice of gerrymandering by letting the public participate in the Congressional redistricting process.
“Gerrymandering is a dirty secret no one wants you to know about. Voters used to choose their leaders, but now politicians choose their voters,” Cooper said. “These reforms will shed much-needed sunlight on our shady elections process. And sunlight is the best disinfectant.”
WASHINGTON – A bipartisan bill reintroduced today by Rep. Jim Cooper (D-TN) and Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) would require the federal government to find ways to eliminate duplicative programs.
The Taxpayers Right to Know Act unanimously passed the House in the last session of Congress. It would compel each federal agency to publish an annual report card for all of its programs.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05) today announced his support of a bipartisan bill that would allow the public to view Congressional research and agency reports.
The Public Access to Congressional Research Service Reports Act would grant public access to taxpayer-funded research that, by law, is only available to members of Congress and their staffs. The legislation finally would let all Americans see the research Congress uses to draft bills, take votes and shape policy.
Cooper also co-sponsored the bill last Congress.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Jim Cooper (TN-05) today introduced bipartisan legislation that would stop congressional pay if Congress doesn’t pass America’s budget bills on time.
A longtime advocate for congressional reform, Cooper first introduced No Budget, No Pay in 2011 after a Nashville constituent asked why Congress can ignore budget and tax deadlines while the public has no such luxury.
“Congress should pay its bills on time,” Cooper said. “Otherwise, it should work for free.”
Rep. Jim Cooper avoids partisan extremes
By Paul C. Barton
(Excerpts from The Tennessean)