WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama will announce new steps to reduce US government waste, arguing that inefficiency, fraud and abuse are especially troubling during tough economic times.

Obama will sign an executive order Monday creating the Campaign to Cut Government Waste. The order calls for the formation of an oversight board that will work with federal agencies to improve their performance and reduce waste, fraud and abuse.

The order also directs cabinet secretaries to submit progress reports to Vice President Joe Biden. The vice president will discuss the initiatives at a White House event Monday.

The campaign's first action will be to target waste and duplication among federal government websites.