Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 489

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-01-16: 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.

Last Updated

2025-07-15T19:48:58Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

This bill, titled the "Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2025," aims to create a systematic process for regularly reviewing federal agencies to determine if they are still efficient and necessary. The goal is to promote government accountability by requiring agencies to be reauthorized by Congress periodically, or face automatic abolishment, unless extended. This helps prevent outdated or duplicative agencies from continuing indefinitely.

Key Provisions

• Establishment of the Commission: Creates the Federal Agency Sunset Commission, a 13-member independent body. Members are appointed by the President (1 member) and congressional leaders (3 each from majority and minority in Senate and House, including some non-congressional experts in government operations). Terms are 6 years, with bipartisan balance. The Commission has powers to hold hearings, issue subpoenas, gather information from agencies, and contract for services.

• Review Schedule and Abolishment: Within one year of enactment, the Commission must submit a schedule (as a joint resolution) for reviewing all executive agencies (including advisory committees) every 12 years or less. Agencies performing similar functions are reviewed together for efficiency. Agencies are automatically abolished on their scheduled date unless Congress reauthorizes them. Congress can extend abolishment by up to 2 years with a supermajority vote (two-thirds of members in both chambers).

• Review Process and Criteria: The Commission reviews each agency's efficiency and public need annually, using 18 specific criteria, such as:
• Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of programs.
• Whether the agency exceeds its original authority or duplicates others.
• Potential for consolidation or alternatives.
• Compliance with laws on public input, equal employment, and coordination with state/local governments.
• Impacts on privacy, paperwork, and beneficiaries.

Reviews include public hearings, comments, and consultations with oversight bodies like the Government Accountability Office (GAO). The Commission submits annual reports to Congress and the President with analyses, recommendations (e.g., abolish, reorganize, or continue), and a joint resolution to implement changes. It also monitors new agency or program proposals.

• Program Inventory: Requires the Comptroller General (GAO head), Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and Congressional Research Service to create and maintain a detailed inventory of all federal programs, including authorizing laws, purposes, budgets, and reauthorization dates. This aids reviews without binding Congress.

• Expedited Congressional Procedures: Joint resolutions from the Commission receive fast-track consideration: limited debate (10 hours), no amendments, and automatic discharge from committees after 30 days. If Congress doesn't act within a year, the resolution takes effect. This applies only to the review schedule and recommendations.

• Implementation and Oversight: Upon abolishment, the President winds down operations over one year, transferring ongoing duties (e.g., records, legal actions) to another agency. The Commission monitors implementation and reviews proposed new agencies/programs for duplication or alternatives.

• Administrative Details: Commission members serve without pay but get travel expenses. It can accept gifts and use government services. "Agency" includes executive branch entities and advisory committees.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a mandatory "sunset" (automatic expiration) mechanism for all federal agencies, unlike current law where most agencies continue indefinitely unless Congress specifies an end date.
• Mandates a comprehensive program inventory, which doesn't exist in this form today, to track and analyze federal activities.
• Grants the Commission subpoena power and direct access to agency data, expanding oversight beyond existing bodies like GAO or the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
• Alters congressional procedures with expedited rules for these resolutions, superseding normal processes but only for this bill's purposes (enacted as a temporary rule change).

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Could lead to abolishment or reorganization of inefficient or outdated agencies, reducing federal bureaucracy and costs, but might disrupt operations if essential functions are suddenly transferred.
• On Citizens: May improve government efficiency and reduce regulatory burdens (e.g., less paperwork), but could eliminate services or programs people rely on, like those for health, environment, or education, if not reauthorized.
• On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though abolishing agencies involved in foreign affairs (e.g., diplomacy or trade) could affect U.S. global commitments if not handled carefully during wind-down.
• Broader effects include potential cost savings for taxpayers through consolidation, but short-term chaos in transferring duties.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Federal Agencies and Employees: Directly reviewed; risk of job losses or transfers if abolished.
• Congress: Gains tools for oversight but must act on recommendations; bipartisan appointments ensure shared responsibility.
• President and Executive Branch: Appoints one member and handles abolishments; loses control over agencies not reauthorized.
• Citizens and Public: Benefit from efficient government but may lose access to services; public input is required in reviews.
• State and Local Governments: Affected by program changes (e.g., grants); criteria consider coordination and impacts on them.
• Oversight Bodies (e.g., GAO, CBO, OMB): Provide data and consultations, increasing their workload.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Enhances accountability by tying agency existence to congressional reauthorization, aligning with laws like the Paperwork Reduction Act (mentioned in criteria). Subpoena enforcement via courts strengthens the Commission's investigatory role, but could lead to legal challenges over data access or abolishment effects.
• Constitutional: Respects separation of powers—Commission advises but doesn't legislate; Congress retains final say via reauthorization. However, automatic abolishment if Congress inaction occurs might raise questions about executive authority during wind-down. The bill's rule-making changes affirm Congress's right to set its own procedures under Article I.
• Political: Bipartisan Commission design promotes balance, but supermajority extensions could lead to gridlock. Politically, it signals a push for smaller government, potentially sparking debates over "essential" vs. "wasteful" agencies. Fallback provision (automatic effect after one year) pressures timely action, which might be seen as shifting power dynamics.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]

Cosponsors (10)

Rep. Donalds, Byron [R-FL-19], Rep. Perry, Scott [R-PA-10], Rep. Van Duyne, Beth [R-TX-24], Rep. Miller, Mary E. [R-IL-15], Rep. Brecheen, Josh [R-OK-2], Rep. Burlison, Eric [R-MO-7], Rep. Moore, Barry [R-AL-1], Rep. Weber, Randy K. Sr. [R-TX-14], Rep. Boebert, Lauren [R-CO-4], Rep. Luna, Anna Paulina [R-FL-13]

Recent Actions

• 2025-01-16: 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.
• 2025-01-16: 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.
• 2025-01-16: Introduced in House
• 2025-01-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2025 — issued 2025-01-16 — PDF (26 pages)