GAO report expected to show hundreds of duplicate programs

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found hundreds of possibly duplicate programs throughout the federal government's agencies, according to a report scheduled for release on Tuesday. 

The GAO, an independent, nonpartisan agency that works for Congress and investigates how the federal government spends taxpayer dollars, identified  programs across the agencies including Defense and Energy departments, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday night. 

Congress and the White House have targeted many duplicate programs for elimination, including several that are included in the House Republicans' two-week continuing resolution, also in President Obama's fiscal 2012 budget, that cuts $4 billion in spending through March 18. 

The Journal reported these duplications from the GAO study: 

1. Food safety: 15 agencies that implement several federal laws.

2. Defense: Duplication in the purchasing of tactical wheeled vehicles, procurement and medical costs.

3. Economic development: 80 programs spread across several agencies that share goals. 

4. Surface transportation: More than 100 programs run by five divisions within the Transportation Department.

5. Energy: Cutting ethanol production programs could save $5.7 billion each year.

6. Government information technology: 24 federal agencies handle IT.  

7. Health: The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments are still working separately to update electronic health records.

8. Homelessness: There are more than 20 federal programs dealing with the issue.

9. Teachers: 82 programs and several agencies deal with teacher quality.

10. Job training: 44 employment and training programs.