[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 36, Number 10 (Monday, March 13, 2000)]
[Pages 511-512]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

[[Page 512]]

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.

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