Department of Government Efficiency Launches Sweeping Audit of Federal Payroll Systems
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Government Efficiency announced a comprehensive audit of all federal payroll systems on Monday, an initiative designed to eliminate redundancies and reduce operational costs across the executive branch. According to a press release issued at 10:00 AM EST, the review will target 15 major agencies, including the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services, and Transportation, to identify overlapping payroll processing functions and potential savings estimated at up to $2.3 billion annually. Secretary of Government Efficiency, Mark H. Thornton, stated during a briefing that the audit will leverage advanced data analytics to cross-reference employee records, overtime claims, and contractor payments against actual work output. The initiative follows a six-month pilot program in the Department of the Interior, which reportedly reduced processing delays by 30 percent. The audit is expected to conclude within 120 days, with a preliminary report to be submitted to the Office of Management and Budget by February 15, 2025.