Office of Congressman Kevin Brady
Federal Sunset Act
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
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| Purpose |
To provide for the periodic review of the efficiency and public
need for Federal agencies, to establish a Commission for the
purpose of reviewing the efficiency and need of such agency,
and to provide for the abolishment of agencies for which a public
need does not exist.
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| Benefits |
- Requires each federal agency to justify their existence -
or face elimination.
- Cuts wasteful spending and promotes efficiency.
- Abolishes obsolete agencies - streamlines others and identifies
duplication.
- Promotes accountability and customer service.
- American taxpayers are given a voice in evaluating an agency's
operations, responsiveness and need for existence.
- Discourages regulatory deviation from Congress' legislative
intent.
- Builds on the foundation of the Results Act of 1993.
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| Commission |
A 12-member bi-partisan commission is established composed
of eight members of Congress and four private individuals, appointed
in equal numbers by the Speaker of the House and the Majority
Leader of the Senate. Of the four members of Congress appointed
from each chamber, two will be of the majority party and two
of the minority. The length of terms are six years for Members
of Congress, three years for private individuals. Members of
Congress cannot serve beyond their term in elected office.
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| Citizens
Against Government Waste: |
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"For those in Congress
who are committed to cutting wasteful spending, a federal Sunset
Law is a powerful tool. No longer will federal agencies, once created,
assume immortality.
Sunsetting shifts the burden
of proof, forcing agencies to regularly justify their existence
to American taxpayers who will have a real say in whether they deserve
our precious tax dollars.
We support the Federal Sunset
Act of and encourage members of Congress to join Representative
Brady in bringing accountability to our massive federal bureaucracy."
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- Thomas Schatz, President
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| Expiration
Date |
The Commission
will assign an expiration date to every agency of the federal government
not specifically enumerated in the U.S.Constitution. The normal sunset
length is expected to be 12 years for most agencies, a shorter length
when deemed appropriate by Congress. If not re-established by legislative
action of Congress, the agency will cease existence within one year
of its sunset date. |
| Review
of Need |
Prior
to the sunset date the Commission will consider: agency need and purpose,
efficiency of operation, operations outside its scope of authority,
cost-effectiveness in delivering essential services, duplication of
programs, responsiveness of the agency to Congressional recommendations,
compliance with the Results Act, customer service and promptness in
processing complaints, encouragement of public participation and the
effects of abolishment on state and local governments.
The Commission will consult with the General Accounting Office,
Comptroller General and the Office of Management and Budget, and
solicit recommendations from the Congressional committees of jurisdiction.
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| Public Input |
American taxpayers,
agency customers and state and local governments will be encouraged
to voice - through public hearings, Internet and other forms of communication
- their opinions of agency need, quality of service and effectiveness. |
| Recommendation |
Following evaluation
of each agency under Sunset review, the Commission will submit to
Congress a recommendation as to whether the agency should be abolished,
streamlined, reorganized or re-established with recommendations for
administrative and legislative action. If the agency is reestablished,
a future sunset date will be assigned by Congress to ensure continued
accountability and periodic review. |
| Cost |
When the Commission is established
the appropriated expenditures will be offset by a reduction in current
federal spending to be identified. |
| Sunset |
To ensure continued
accountability of the Commission itself, the Federal Agency Sunset
Act of contains a sunset date. |
| Co-sponsorship |
The Federal Sunset Act of
has 70
co-sponsors. To become a co-sponsor contact Congressman Brady's
office at (202)225-4901. |
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