[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Senate]
[Pages 21439-21440]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


 GOVERNMENT REORGANIZATION AND PROGRAM PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 
                                  2005

  Mr. THOMAS. Mr. President, we are facing times of record spending. 
Whether it is in the form of relief to the hurricane ravaged gulf 
coast, financing the war on terrorism, or meeting our obligations to 
seniors with the Medicare prescription drug benefit, Federal spending 
is higher now than ever. We have committed ourselves to funding these 
priorities.
  In doing so, I believe we must also look for ways to save in other 
areas to offset some of these costs. I would liken our current fiscal 
situation to that of any common American household. When emergencies or 
unforeseen obligations arise, such as an illness or a major repair, you 
find a way to pay the bill. But in doing so, you must also look at your 
household budget and find places to save.
  So I come to the Senate floor today to speak a little bit about 
legislation I recently introduced to require regular review of Federal 
programs with the goal of identifying areas where savings can be made. 
S. 1399, the Government Reorganization and Program Performance 
Improvement Act, will create the necessary mechanisms to require 
Congress and the executive branch to regularly and formally examine 
whether Federal programs and agencies are achieving, or have achieved 
desired results for the American people, and make the necessary 
adjustments.
  The bill would do this through the creation of a sunset commission 
and individual results commissions. The sunset commission would hold 
the Federal Government accountable for performance by reviewing and 
providing

[[Page 21440]]

recommendations to retain, restructure, or end Federal agencies or 
programs. Congress and the President would enact a 10-year schedule for 
the administration to assess the performance of all Federal agencies 
and programs. Acting on those assessments, the seven-member bipartisan 
sunset commission, appointed by the President in consultation with 
Congress, will recommend ways to improve effectiveness and spend 
taxpayer dollars more wisely.
  The commission will provide an important framework to facilitate the 
reform, restructuring, or possible elimination of those agencies or 
programs unable to demonstrate expected performance results during 
their scheduled review. It will also help to identify those programs 
that have achieved their intended purposes or outlived their 
usefulness.
  A second key feature of this important measure is the creation of 
individual results commissions targeted at specific programs or policy 
areas where duplication and overlapping jurisdiction hinder reform. 
Again, these seven-member bipartisan commissions, appointed by the 
President in consultation with Congress, will consider administration 
proposals to improve the performance of various programs and agencies 
by restructuring and consolidation. This will reduce unnecessary costs 
and waste paid for by the American taxpayer.
  We need to continue to evaluate the way the Federal Government 
operates and look for ways to make it more cost effective for the long 
term. I believe this legislation presents a good step toward dealing 
with the large number of Federal programs out there, many of which are, 
frankly, wasteful and unnecessary. Many also duplicate other Federal, 
State and private efforts. S. 1399 provides a commonsense framework for 
reorganization and review of Federal programs, and provides for a way 
to abolish them if determined unnecessary.
  S. 1399 is a good government measure. It is about efficiency, 
accountability to the American taxpayer, and identifying potential 
savings. It is a fiscally responsible measure that will provide a way 
for the Federal Government to save even as it meets its spending 
obligations in the future. I invite my colleagues to take a serious 
look at this proposal and to join me in advancing this effort.

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