Close this Advertisement
EmbedEmbed

Federal Daily News

Federal agency travel down $2 billion

Federal employee travel is down a whopping $2 billion over the last two years, according to the Office of Management and Budget.

OMB Controller Danny Werfel informed lawmakers of the savings at a hearing of the House Oversight & Government Reform Committee. The cost-cutting came in the wake of a much-publicized 2010 Government Services Administration conference in Las Vegas, which cost taxpayers over $820,000.

The massive savings over the ensuing months are in line with OMB guidance calling for 30 percent savings in federal travel costs.

According to a document on the committee’s website, it is also in keeping with cuts recommended by the Simpson-Bowles budget commission.

The same posting, authored by the chairman of the committee, Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), states that federal agencies spent approximately $4.6 billion on travel so far on this fiscal year.


 

Reader comments

Tue, Mar 5, 2013 Bonnie Lu M. Brehm Latham, New York

At first I freaked out on losing two days pay a pay period, but then it dawned on me as this would help me learn to live on less as that is what will happen to all of us poor/middle class baby boomers when we can and will retire or become disabled. Even if for a strange reason we don't get hit with the furlough (yeah right)I'll start taking more money away from myself and see how well I do, if it doesn't work, I'll look for an additional PT job which ever way this goes down. I may not have a voice as one person but luckily I can still pay my share of the bills. Although with the furlough, I won't be able to afford my medications (won't take them)will not be going to doctor appts (won't be able to pay the co-pay)will lose weight (can't afford to feed me)and stay at a family members home several times a week (won't have the gas to get back and forth to work or for that matter anyplace else) I guess a lot of us will have to be forced to live like the Cleavers back in the 50's. If you have children at home, your going to get real chummy with them, and that will be a good thing.

Mon, Mar 4, 2013

So how about our Congressmen and Senators and their staffs and families traveling on the government dime for their bi-monthly vacations. and why do they rate full-time government benefits instead of part-time like normal governemnt employees.

Thu, Feb 28, 2013

jeff- Michelle Obama did not make a trip to the Academy Awards. Her appearance was televised from the White House and was probably paid for by the Academy who invited her to appear. If you are going to be a hater, at least be an educated one.

Thu, Feb 28, 2013 Acer FAA/Renton, WA

Good job federal agencies!! Now how about our Congressional leaders doing the same?

Thu, Feb 28, 2013 anon La Crosse, WI

If the first and most-promoted option in Govtrip were the non-refundable rather than refundable airfare, my travel costs would plummet. The government should be able to negotiate airfares that are less costly than commercial traffic. My understanding is that prior to 9/11, this was the case, but since then the government has been subsidizing air travel by paying higher ticket costs. This should end. (And to the crackpot worrying about the First Lady's travel, that's an inane concern. How about we worry about larger concerns?)

Show All Comments

Please post your comments here. Comments are moderated, so they may not appear immediately after submitting. We will not post comments that we consider abusive or off-topic.

Your Name:(optional)
Your Email:(optional)
Your Location:(optional)
Comment:
Please type the letters/numbers you see above