White House budget would eliminate duplicative catfish inspections

President Obama’s 2014 budget proposal would eliminate certain duplications within government programs, including overlaps in catfish inspections from three different agencies, according to the White House budget office.

The Food and Drug Administration and the National Marine Fisheries Service conduct catfish inspections, but the 2008 Farm Bill required the Department of Agriculture to begin a program as well.

The White House, which is expected to release its 2014 budget Wednesday, said Tuesday that the upcoming budget proposal calls for eliminating catfish inspections by the Agriculture Department so the agency can focus on the nation’s meat and poultry supply.

The White House budget office unveiled that and other plans for reducing inefficiencies in response to a report on duplicative programs from the Government Accountability Office.

In addition to addressing catfish inspections, White House budget office spokeswoman Jessica Santillo said the new budget will also propose consolidating more than half of the 220 educational programs that promote science, technology, engineering and math (STEM).

The White House also said it will propose a new “universal displaced worker program” in an effort to address overlapping with the more than 40 federal programs that deliver job training and employment services.

For more federal news, visit The Federal Eye, The Fed Page and Post Politics.

To connect with Josh Hicks, follow his Twitter feed, subscribe to his Facebook page or e-mail josh.hicks@washpost.com.

E-mail federalworker@washpost.com with news tips and other suggestions.