Stop the Overprinting (Stop) Act

Floor Speech

* Ms. RICHARDSON. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a few minutes today to discuss the continued need in Congress for reduced administrative spending and increased accountability to the American people.

* In a time when we are keenly aware of the need for civility and cooperation in order to improve the American quality of life, I believe there is at least one thing both Democrats and Republicans can agree on and which should be the springboard towards meaningful change.

* This belief is that the federal government has an obligation to the American people to be stewards of their hard-earned taxpayer dollars by operating in an efficient manner and to reduce spending whenever possible.

* For this reason, I support bills like H.R. 292, the Stop the OverPrinting Act, which will help eliminate the wasteful production of unnecessary copies of bills and resolutions in Congress.

* The STOP Act will not only do its part for the environment by reducing Congress' paper consumption, but it will also take a step, even if just a small one, towards more efficient operations, increased accountability and reduced government spending. As we are all aware in this economy, every little bit helps.

* The STOP Act was introduced by my colleague from across the aisle, the honorable gentleman from New York, Christopher Lee. I am happy to stand in bipartisan support and know that there will be many opportunities in the future to find common ground and remain accountable to the hard working citizens we represent.

* In fact, I would like to mention one such opportunity I offered during the 111th Congress and which I plan to reintroduce in the 112th, the Cost Recovery and Fair Value for Services Act. This legislation will help us meet our obligation to the American people by ensuring that the federal agencies within the executive branch set their user fees for services provided at rates that are both equitable and cost-effective.

* This act would require the chief financial officer of every federal agency to provide a report to the director of the Office of Management and Budget which would review fees charged for services provided and make recommendations based on equitability with consideration to a user's ability to pay and the extent to which the use of the service provides a public benefit.

* By setting appropriate user fee rates, agencies can contribute to the shared fiscal responsibility that our current economic situation demands without overburdening the public or inhibiting public engagement.

* It is my hope that when this legislation arrives on the House floor, colleagues from both parties will share the same bipartisan spirit I exhibit today and support my efforts to control wasteful spending and restore fiscal accountability.

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