    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [October 17, 2001]
    [Page 1261]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    [[Page 1261]]

    Message to the Congress Transmitting Proposed Freedom-To-Manage
    Legislation
    October 17, 2001

    To the Congress of the United States:
        I am pleased to transmit for immediate consideration and prompt
    enactment the ``Freedom to Manage Act of 2001.'' This legislative
    proposal would establish a procedure under which the Congress can act
    quickly and decisively to remove those structural barriers to efficient
    management imposed by law and identified by my Administration.
        This proposal is part of the ``Freedom to Manage'' initiative
    outlined in the ``President's Management Agenda'' issued in late August.
    The initiative includes additional legislative proposals, to be
    transmitted separately, that would give Federal agencies and managers
    the tools to more efficiently and effectively manage the Federal
    Government's programs by: (1) providing Federal managers with increased
    flexibility to manage personnel; (2) giving agencies the responsibility
    to fund the full Government share of the accruing cost of all retirement
    and retiree health care benefits for Federal employees; and (3) giving
    agencies greater flexibility in managing and disposing of property
    assets.
        In transmitting the Freedom to Manage Act, I am asking the Congress
    to join with my Administration in making a commitment to reform the
    Federal Government by eliminating obstacles to its efficient operations.
    Specifically, the Freedom to Manage Act would establish a process for
    expedited congressional consideration of Presidential proposals to
    eliminate or reduce barriers to efficient Government operations through
    the repeal or amendment of laws that create obstacles to efficient
    management or the provision of new authority to agencies.
        The Freedom to Manage Act would provide that if the President
    transmits to the Congress legislative proposals relating to the
    elimination or reduction of barriers to efficient Government operations,
    either through repeal or amendment of current law or the provision of
    new authority, special expedited congressional procedures would be used
    to consider these proposals. If a joint resolution is introduced in
    either House within 10 legislative days of the transmittal containing
    the President's legislative proposals, it would be held in committee for
    no more than 30 legislative days. It would then be brought to the floor
    of that House very quickly after committee action is completed for a
    vote under special procedures allowing for limited debate and no
    amendments. Finally, a bill passed in one House could then be brought
    directly to the floor of the other House for a vote on final passage.
        As barriers to more efficient management are removed, the Nation
    will rightly expect a higher level of performance from its Federal
    Government. Giving our Federal managers ``freedom to manage'' will
    enable the Federal Government to improve its performance and
    accountability and better serve the public. I urge the Congress to give
    the Freedom to Manage Act 2001 prompt and favorable consideration so we
    can work together in the coming months to implement needed and overdue
    reforms.

                                                              George W. Bush

     The White House,

     October 17, 2001.