Michigan Senator Peters’ Bill to Cut Wasteful Federal Spending on Excess Property Heads to President

Photo byOffices of Michigan Senator Gary Peters

Legislation requires federal agencies to reuse surplus property, saving taxpayer dollars on goods ranging from office supplies to heavy machinery.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A bipartisan bill, spearheaded by U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), aimed at reducing wasteful federal spending by encouraging the reuse of excess government property, has passed both chambers of Congress and now awaits the President’s signature to become law. The legislation mandates that federal agencies prioritize reusing available surplus goods—such as office supplies, vehicles, and equipment—before purchasing new items, a move that could save significant taxpayer dollars.

The Reuse Excess Property Act, which passed the House this week following Senate approval in December 2023, seeks to hold agencies accountable for their spending practices by requiring them to publicly report on their efforts to reuse excess personal property. These goods, already owned by the federal government, are often available at no cost to the agencies apart from transportation fees.

Peters Highlights Need for Smarter Spending, Reuse of Resources

“Federal agencies must use taxpayer dollars responsibly,” said Senator Peters, Chair of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. “Agencies should consider reusing excess goods like office supplies, equipment, and vehicles rather than buying them new. The American people deserve smarter federal agency spending practices, and this bill helps ensure that.”

Under current rules, federal agencies are required to report excess personal property to the General Services Administration (GSA), but those reports are not widely accessible to the public. The new legislation would change that, ensuring transparency in how taxpayer dollars are spent. The bill would also require each agency to designate an employee responsible for monitoring available surplus property and ensuring it is considered before new purchases are made.

Transparency and Accountability at the Heart of the Bill

The bill seeks to foster accountability by making excess property reports public, allowing both agency officials and taxpayers to better understand how effectively agencies are cutting costs through the reuse of surplus goods. By updating these procedures and reporting requirements, Peters’ legislation addresses long-standing concerns over the federal government’s status as the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world.

The legislation has garnered bipartisan support in both the Senate and the House, reflecting widespread interest in ensuring the government takes more responsible measures when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars.

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