Reorganizing Government Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1295
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Government Operations and Politics
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-01-27: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 397.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-11T23:26:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Reorganizing Government Act of 2025 (H.R. 1295) aims to reauthorize and expand the President's authority to reorganize parts of the executive branch of the U.S. government. This authority, outlined in chapter 9 of title 5 of the U.S. Code, allows the President to propose changes to make the government more efficient. The bill updates and broadens this power to focus on reducing unnecessary operations, cutting federal workforce size, and simplifying rules to lower compliance costs for the public and businesses.
Key Provisions
- Expanded Purposes for Reorganization (Section 901): The bill adds new goals, such as eliminating operations deemed unnecessary for constitutional duties, reducing the number of federal employees, simplifying or removing burdensome rules and regulations, and cutting government activities that do not serve the public interest.
- Definition of "Executive Department" (Section 902): Redefines the term to include executive departments, agencies, independent establishments, wholly owned government corporations, and offices or officers in the executive branch. It excludes the Government Accountability Office (GAO, an independent agency that audits government operations) and the Comptroller General (the head of the GAO).
- Submission and Review of Reorganization Plans (Section 903): Allows the President to submit plans to Congress for reorganizing executive departments. Removes a prior limit that prohibited abolishing enforcement functions (like regulatory oversight) or statutory programs (government initiatives set by law).
- Procedures for Implementation (Sections 904 and 907): Updates language throughout to apply specifically to "executive departments" instead of the broader term "agencies."
- Limitations on Reorganization Plans (Section 905): Prohibits plans that would create a net increase in federal workers or government spending. Also extends the authority's expiration date from 1984 to December 31, 2026.
- Congressional Review and Veto (Sections 908 and 909): Extends the timeline for congressional action on plans to December 31, 2026, and adjusts the vote threshold (from 19 to 20, likely referring to the number of members needed to block a plan in committee).
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Broadening Scope: Shifts focus from "agencies" (a wide term including independent bodies) to "executive departments" (core parts of the government under the President's direct control, like the Department of Defense or Justice), making reorganization easier to target.
- Removal of Restrictions: Eliminates the previous bar on abolishing enforcement functions or statutory programs, allowing more sweeping changes.
- New Prohibitions: Adds explicit bans on reorganizations that increase staff or costs, emphasizing cost-saving and downsizing.
- Extension of Authority: Revives and prolongs a power that lapsed in 1984, updating all relevant dates to 2026.
- Procedural Tweaks: Strikes an old introductory paragraph in limitations and adjusts numbering for clarity.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Could lead to mergers, eliminations, or streamlining of departments, potentially reducing duplication and improving efficiency but risking service disruptions or loss of specialized functions.
- On Citizens: May simplify regulations, lowering compliance burdens for individuals and businesses (e.g., fewer paperwork requirements), but could reduce oversight in areas like environmental or consumer protections if enforcement roles are cut.
- On Federal Employees: Likely results in workforce reductions through layoffs or reassignments, affecting job security for thousands in the executive branch.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though reorganizations in departments like State or Defense could indirectly affect foreign policy coordination if structures change.
- Overall: Promotes a leaner government, potentially saving taxpayer money, but implementation depends on presidential proposals and congressional approval.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- President and Executive Branch: Gains renewed tools to reshape departments, enhancing administrative flexibility.
- Federal Employees and Unions: Face potential job cuts or role changes; unions may oppose reductions.
- Congress: Retains veto power over plans but loses some prior protections for programs, requiring active oversight.
- Citizens and Businesses: Benefit from reduced regulations and bureaucracy but may see changes in government services or protections.
- Independent Agencies (e.g., GAO): Explicitly excluded, preserving their autonomy from reorganization.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens executive authority under existing statutes but requires congressional approval for plans, maintaining checks and balances. The removal of limits on abolishing programs could face legal challenges if seen as undermining specific laws passed by Congress.
- Constitutional: Aligns with the President's Article II powers to "take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed," but expansions might raise separation-of-powers concerns if perceived as encroaching on Congress's role in creating agencies via legislation.
- Political: Positions the bill as a tool for government efficiency and cost-cutting, appealing to fiscal conservatives, but could spark debates over executive overreach or the erosion of independent oversight. As a reauthorization of lapsed authority, it revives a mechanism last used decades ago, potentially setting precedents for future administrations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (19)
Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Biggs, Andy [R-AZ-5], Rep. Greene, Marjorie Taylor [R-GA-14], Rep. Jack, Brian [R-GA-3], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6], Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4], Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Sessions, Pete [R-TX-17], Rep. Higgins, Clay [R-LA-3], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Timmons, William R. [R-SC-4], Rep. Pfluger, August [R-TX-11], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. McGuire, John [R-VA-5], Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-9]
Recent Actions
- 2026-01-27: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 397.
- 2026-01-27: Committee on Rules discharged.
- 2026-01-27: Committee on Rules discharged.
- 2026-01-27: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-464, Part I.
- 2026-01-27: Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-464, Part I.
- 2025-03-25: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 20.
- 2025-03-25: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-13: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-13: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Reorganizing Government Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-13 — PDF (5 pages)
- Reorganizing Government Act of 2025 — issued 2026-01-27 — PDF (8 pages)