GOP Seeks Power to Restructure Entire Federal Government

As [OMBWatch] reported earlier, House Government Reform chair Tom Davis has vowed that a top priority for this Congress will be giving the White House the power to fast-track through Congress recommendations for restructuring the federal government. Now Inside EPA is reporting that Davis's office is drafting legislation to grant the White House power to develop restructuring plans that would be fast-tracked through Congress without the possibility of amendment. A source has told Inside EPA that Davis is awaiting the White House's imminent proposals for results and sunset commissions, which may include some version of fast-track reorganization authority.
Meanwhile, other lawmakers are proceeding with their own versions of commissions to reorganize government. As we reported earlier this month, one senator, probably Sen. Sam Brownback (R-KS), slipped into the budget resolution a "sense of the Senate" provision endorsing the concept of a results commission. Brownback is reportedly coordinating with Rep. Kevin Brady (R-TX) to develop a new proposal that combines elements of each member's proposals in past Congresses for results and sunset commissions respectively. Rep. Todd Tiahrt (R-KS) has jumped on the bandwagon by reintroducing the Commission on the Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies Act, a version of the results commission concept. The CARFA Act would link performance data, such as the simplistic reviews currently carried out in the Program Assessment Rating Tool (PART) assessments, with recommendations to consolidate or eliminate federal agencies. (See more about the CARFA Act.)