(ASQ: Milwaukee) -- The American Society for Quality (ASQ), the nonprofit organization that administers the Baldrige Performance Excellence Program, is disappointed in a U.S. Senate subcommittee vote to withdraw funding for the successful program in the proposed 2012 federal budget.

The Baldrige Program provides improvement practices, principles, and methodologies to strengthen U.S. organizations—enhancing their competitiveness, quality, and productivity.

The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies voted to deny funding for the program for fiscal year 2012. In prior years federal funding has been joined by funds from the Foundation for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, along with application fees and the service of nearly 1,000 volunteers to carry out the program.

 …