[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 26 (Thursday, March 9, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S1389]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  THE ANNUAL REPORT ON FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEES--MESSAGE FROM THE 
                            PRESIDENT--PM 92

  The PRESIDING OFFICER laid before the Senate the following message 
from the President of the United States, together with an accompanying 
report; which was referred to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.

To the Congress of the United States:
  As provided by the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended 
(Public Law 92-463; 5 U.S.C., App. 2, 6(c)), I hereby submit the 
Twenty-seventh Annual Report on Federal Advisory Committees, covering 
fiscal year 1998.
  In keeping with my commitment to create a more responsive government, 
the executive branch continues to implement my policy of maintaining 
the number of advisory committees within the ceiling of 534 required by 
Executive Order 12838 of February 10, 1993. Accordingly, the number of 
discretionary advisory committees (established under general 
congressional authorizations) was again held to substantially below 
that number. During fiscal year 1998, 460 discretionary committees 
advised executive branch officials. The number of discretionary 
committees supported represents a 43 percent reduction in the 801 in 
existence at the beginning of my Administration.
  Through the planning process required by Executive Order 12838, the 
total number of advisory committees specified mandated by statute also 
continues to decline. The 388 such groups supported at the end of 
fiscal year 1998 represents a modest decrease from the 391 in existence 
at the end of fiscal year 1997. However, compared to the 439 advisory 
committees mandated by statute at the beginning of my Administration, 
the net total for fiscal year 1998 reflects nearly a 12 percent 
decrease since 1993.
  The executive branch has worked jointly with the Congress to 
establish a partnership whereby all advisory committees that are 
required by statute are regularly reviewed through the legislative 
reauthorization process and that any such new committees proposed 
through legislation are closely linked to compelling national 
interests. Furthermore, my Administration will continue to direct the 
estimated costs to fund required statutory groups in fiscal year 1999, 
or $45.8 million, toward supporting initiatives that reflect the 
highest priority public involvement efforts.
  Combined savings achieved through actions taken during fiscal year 
1998 to eliminate all advisory committees that are no longer needed, or 
that have completed their missions, totaled $7.6 million. This reflects 
the termination of 47 committees, originally established under both 
congressional authorities or implemented by executive agency decisions. 
Agencies will continue to review and eliminate advisory committees that 
are obsolete, duplicative, or of a lesser priority than those that 
would serve a well-defined national interest. New committees will be 
established only when they are essential to the conduct of necessary 
business, are clearly in the public's best interests, and when they 
serve to enhance Federal decisionmaking through an open and 
collaborative process with the American people.
  I urge the Congress to work closely with the General Services 
Administration and each department and agency to examine additional 
opportunities for strengthening the contributions made by Federal 
advisory committees.
                                                  William J. Clinton.  
The White House, March 9, 2000.

                          ____________________