    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book I)]
    [March 9, 2000]
    [Pages 427-428]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting the Report on Federal Advisory
    Committees
    March 9, 2000

    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 specifically 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

    [[Page 428]]

    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.

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