January 16, 2025
Mr. Cloud (for himself, Mr. Donalds, Mr. Perry, Ms. Van Duyne, Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Brecheen, Mr. Burlison, Mr. Moore of Alabama, Mr. Weber of Texas, Ms. Boebert, and Mrs. Luna) introduced the following bill; which was 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
To establish the Federal Agency Sunset Commission.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Review and abolishment of Federal agencies
(a) Schedule for review
(1)
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Agency Sunset Commission established under section 3 shall submit to Congress a schedule for review by the Commission of each agency that lists the date of abolishment for each agency.
(2)
Such date of abolishment shall occur at least once every 12 years (or less, if determine appropriate by Congress).
(3)
The Schedule for review will be in the form of a joint resolution.
(b) Review of agencies performing related functions
In determining the schedule for review of agencies under subsection (a), the Commission shall provide that agencies that perform similar or related functions be reviewed concurrently to promote efficiency and consolidation.
(c) Abolishment of agencies
(1) In general
Each agency shall be reviewed and abolished according to the schedule created pursuant to this section and approved under section 9, unless the agency is reauthorized by the Congress.
(2) Extension
The date of abolishment for an agency may be extended for an additional 2 years if the Congress enacts legislation extending such date by a vote of a supermajority of the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Sec. 3. Establishment of Commission
(a) Establishment
There is established a commission to be known as the Federal Agency Sunset Commission
.
(b) Membership
(1)
The Commission shall be composed of 13 members (in this Act referred to as the members
) who shall be appointed as follows:
(A)
1 shall be appointed by the President.
(B)
3 shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, of whom—
(i)
2 shall be from among Members of the Senate; and
(ii)
1 shall not be Member of Congress and shall have expertise in the operation and administration of Federal Government programs.
(C)
3 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, of whom—
(i)
2 shall be from among Members of the Senate; and
(ii)
1 shall not be Member of Congress and shall have expertise in the operation and administration of Federal Government programs.
(D)
3 shall be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, of whom—
(i)
2 shall be from among Members of the House of Representatives; and
(ii)
1 shall not be Member of Congress and shall have expertise in the operation and administration of Federal Government programs.
(E)
3 shall be appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, of whom—
(i)
2 shall be from among Members of the House of Representatives; and
(ii)
1 shall not be Member of Congress and shall have expertise in the operation and administration of Federal Government programs.
(c) Continuation of Membership
If a member was appointed to the Commission as a Member of Congress and the member ceases to be a Member of Congress, that member shall cease to be a member of the Commission.
(d) Initial appointments
All initial appointments to the Commission shall be made not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
(e) Terms of members
(1) In general
Each member appointed to the Commission shall serve for a term of 6 years.
(2) Vacancies
A vacancy in the Commission—
(A)
shall not affect the powers of the Commission; and
(B)
shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment not later than 30 days after the date on which the vacancy occurs.
(f) Chairman; vice chairman
The Commission shall select a Chairperson and Vice Chairperson from among the members of the Commission for a term of 4 years.
(g) Powers of commission
(1) Hearings and sessions
The Commission may, for the purpose of carrying out this Act, hold such hearings, sit and act at such times and places, take such testimony, and receive such evidence as the Commission considers appropriate. The Commission may administer oaths to witnesses appearing before it.
(2) Obtaining information
(A) In general
The Commission may secure directly from any agency or advisory committee information necessary to enable it to carry out its duties under this Act.
(B) Furnishing information
On request of the Chairperson of the Commission, the head of the agency, or the Chair of the advisory committee shall furnish information to the Commission in a full and timely manner.
(3) Subpoena power
(A) Authority to issue subpoena
The Commission may issue a subpoena to require the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence relating to any matter under investigation by the Commission.
(B) Compliance with subpoena
If a person refuses to obey an order or subpoena of the Commission that is issued in connection with a Commission proceeding, the Commission may apply to the United States district court in the judicial district in which the proceeding is held for an order requiring the person to comply with the subpoena or order.
(4) Immunity
The Commission is an agency of the United States for purposes of part V of title 18, United States Code (relating to immunity of witnesses).
(5) Contract authority
The Commission may contract with and compensate government and private agencies or persons for services without regard to section 6101 of title 41, United States Code (relating to advertising requirement for Federal Government purchases and sales).
(h) Commission procedures
(1) Initial meeting
Not later than 45 days after the date on which all members of the Commission have been appointed, the Commission shall hold the first meeting of the Commission.
(2) Meetings
The Commission shall meet at the call of the Chairman and not less than 2 times per year.
(3) Quorum
A majority of the members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
(4) Voting
The schedule for review submitted pursuant to section 2(a) and the report and joint resolution submitted pursuant to section 4 shall have the approval of not less than a majority of the members of the Commission.
(i) Personnel matters
(1) Compensation
Members shall not be paid by reason of their service as members.
(2) Travel expenses
Each member shall receive travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence in accordance with applicable provisions under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.
(3) Director
The Commission shall have an executive director who shall be appointed and terminated by the Chairperson of the Commission.
(A)
The executive director must be confirmed by a vote of at least seven members of the Commission.
(B)
The Director may appoint and fix the pay of additional personnel as the Director considers appropriate.
(4) Applicability of certain civil service laws
The Director and staff of the Commission shall be appointed subject to the provisions of title 5, United States Code, governing appointments in the competitive service, and shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 51 and sub-chapter III of chapter 53 of that title relating to classification and General Schedule pay rates.
(j) Other administrative matters
(1) Postal and printing services
The Commission may use the United States mails and obtain printing and binding services in the same manner and under the same conditions as other departments and agencies of the Federal Government.
(2) Administrative support services
Upon the request of the Commission, the Administrator of General Services shall provide to the Commission, on a reimbursable basis, the administrative support services necessary for the Commission to carry out its duties under this Act.
(3) Experts and consultants
The Commission may procure temporary and intermittent services under section 3109(b) of title 5, United States Code.
(4) Gifts
The Commission may accept, use, and dispose of gifts or donations of services or property.
Sec. 4. Review of efficiency and need for Federal agencies
(a) In general
The Commission shall review the efficiency and public need for each agency using criteria described in section 5.
(b) Recommendations; report to congress
The Commission shall submit to Congress and the President not later than September 1 of each year a report containing—
(1)
an analysis of the efficiency of operation and public need for each agency to be reviewed in the year in which the report is submitted pursuant to the schedule submitted to Congress under section 2;
(2)
an analysis of authority claimed by the executive branch but not specifically authorized by statute;
(3)
recommendations on whether each such agency should be abolished, reorganized, or continued;
(4)
recommendations on whether the functions of any other agencies should be consolidated, transferred, or reorganized in an agency to be reviewed in the year in which the report is submitted pursuant to the schedule submitted to Congress under section 2; and
(5)
recommendations for administrative and legislative action with respect to each such agency, but not including recommendations for appropriation levels.
(c) Joint resolution
The Commission shall submit to Congress and the President not later than September 1 of each year a joint resolution to carry out the recommendations of the Commission under subsection (b).
(d) Information gathering
The Commission shall—
(1)
conduct public hearings on the abolishment of each agency reviewed under subsection (b);
(2)
provide an opportunity for public comment on the abolishment of each such agency;
(3)
require the agency to provide information to the Commission as appropriate; and
(4)
consult with the General Accountability Office, the Office of Management and Budget, the Comptroller General, and the chairman and ranking minority members of the committees of Congress with oversight responsibility for the agency being reviewed regarding the operation of the agency.
(e) Use of program inventory
The Commission shall use the program inventory prepared under section 9 in reviewing the efficiency and public need for each agency under subsection (a).
Sec. 5. Criteria for review
The Commission shall evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency pursuant to section 4 using the following criteria:
(1)
The effectiveness, and the efficiency of the operation of, the programs carried out by each such agency.
(2)
Whether the programs carried out by the agency are cost-effective.
(3)
Whether the agency has acted outside the scope of its original authority, and whether the original objectives of the agency have been achieved.
(4)
Whether less restrictive or alternative methods exist to carry out the functions of the agency.
(5)
The extent to which the jurisdiction of, and the programs administered by, the agency duplicate or conflict with the jurisdiction and programs of other agencies.
(6)
The potential benefits of consolidating programs administered by the agency with similar or duplicative programs of other agencies, and the potential for consolidating such programs.
(7)
The number and types of beneficiaries or persons served by programs carried out by the agency.
(8)
The extent to which any trends, developments, and emerging conditions that are likely to affect the future nature and extent of the problems or needs that the programs carried out by the agency are intended to address.
(9)
The extent to which the agency has complied with the applicable provisions contained in sections 1115, 1116, 1117, 1120, 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, 1125, and the first 9703 of title 31, United States Code, section 306 of title 5, United States Code, and chapter 28 of title 39, United States Code.
(10)
The promptness and effectiveness with which the agency seeks public input and input from State and local governments on the efficiency and effectiveness of the performance of the functions of the agency.
(11)
Whether the agency has worked to enact changes in the law that are intended to benefit the public as a whole rather than the specific business, institution, or individuals that the agency regulates.
(12)
The extent to which the agency has encouraged participation by the public as a whole in making its rules and decisions rather than encouraging participation solely by those it regulates.
(13)
The extent to which the public participation in rulemaking and decision making of the agency has resulted in rules and decisions compatible with the objectives of the agency.
(14)
The extent to which the agency complies with equal employment opportunity requirements regarding equal employment opportunity.
(15)
The extent of the regulatory, privacy, and paperwork impacts of the programs carried out by the agency.
(16)
The extent to which the agency has coordinated with State and local governments in performing the functions of the agency.
(17)
The potential effects of abolishing the agency on State and local governments.
(18)
The extent to which changes are necessary in the authorizing statutes of the agency in order that the functions of the agency can be performed in the most efficient and effective manner.
Sec. 6. Oversight by Commission
(a) Monitoring of implementation of recommendations
The Commission shall monitor implementation of laws enacting provisions that incorporate recommendations of the Commission with respect to abolishment or reorganization of agencies.
(b) Monitoring of other relevant legislation
(1) In general
The Commission shall review and report to Congress on all legislation introduced in either house of Congress that would establish—
(A)
a new agency; or
(B)
a new program to be carried out by an existing agency.
(2) Report to congress
The Commission shall include in each report submitted to Congress under paragraph (1) an analysis of whether—
(A)
the functions of the proposed agency or program could be carried out by one or more existing agencies;
(B)
the functions of the proposed agency or program could be carried out in a less restrictive manner than the manner proposed in the legislation; and
(C)
the legislation provides for public input regarding the performance of functions by the proposed agency or program.
Sec. 7. Disposition of agency affairs
The President, in consultation with the head of an agency determined to be abolished pursuant to section 2(c), shall take such action as may be necessary to wind down the operation of such agency during the one year period following the date of abolishment for each such agency including the designation of an agency to carry out any ongoing authority, maintain custodial records, act as a party to unresolved legal actions, or other obligations that cannot be resolved within one year.
Sec. 8. Program inventory
(a) Preparation
The Comptroller General and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Director of the Congressional Research Service, shall prepare an inventory of Federal programs (in this Act referred to as the program inventory
) within each agency.
(b) Purpose
The purpose of the program inventory is to advise and assist the Congress and the Commission in carrying out the requirements of this Act. Such inventory shall not in any way bind the committees of the Senate or the House of Representatives with respect to their responsibilities under this Act and shall not infringe on the legislative and oversight responsibilities of such committees. The Comptroller General shall compile and maintain the inventory and the Director of the Congressional Budget Office shall provide budgetary information for inclusion in the inventory.
(c) Inventory content
The program inventory shall set forth for each program each of the following matters:
(1)
The specific provision or provisions of law authorizing the program.
(2)
The committees of the Senate and the House of Representatives which have legislative or oversight jurisdiction over the program.
(3)
A brief statement of the purpose or purposes to be achieved by the program.
(4)
The committees which have jurisdiction over legislation providing new budget authority for the program, including the appropriate subcommittees of the Committees on Appropriations of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(5)
The agency and, if applicable, the subdivision thereof responsible for administering the program.
(6)
The grants-in-aid, if any, provided by such program to State and local governments.
(7)
The next reauthorization date for the program.
(8)
A unique identification number which links the program and functional category structure.
(9)
The year in which the program was originally established and, where applicable, the year in which the program expires.
(10)
Where applicable, the year in which new budget authority for the program was last authorized and the year in which current authorizations of new budget authority expire.
(11)
Any other information the Commission determines to be necessary.
(d) Budget authority
The report also shall set forth for each program whether the new budget authority provided for such program is—
(1)
authorized for a definite period of time;
(2)
authorized in a specific dollar amount but without limit of time;
(3)
authorized without limit of time or dollar amounts;
(4)
not specifically authorized; or
(5)
permanently provided, as determined by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office.
(e) CBO information
For each program or group of programs, the program inventory also shall include information prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office indicating each of the following matters:
(1)
The amounts of new budget authority authorized and provided for the program for each of the preceding four fiscal years and, where applicable, the four succeeding fiscal years.
(2)
The functional and subfunctional category in which the program is presently classified and was classified under the fiscal year 2020 budget.
(3)
The identification code and title of the appropriation account in which budget authority is provided for the program.
(f) Mutual exchange of information
The General Accountability Office, the Congressional Research Service, and the Congressional Budget Office shall permit the mutual exchange of available information in their possession which would aid in the compilation of the program inventory.
(g) Assistance by executive branch
The Office of Management and Budget and the agencies (and the subdivisions thereof) shall, to the extent necessary and possible, provide the General Accountability Office with assistance requested by the Comptroller General in the compilation of the program inventory. Such communications shall be treated as confidential until a report is issued under section 4(b).
Sec. 9. Expedited consideration for schedule for review
(a) Introduction and committee consideration
(1) Introduction
A joint resolution shall be introduced in the Senate by the majority leader, or the majority leader’s designee, and in the House of Representatives, by the Speaker, or the Speaker’s designee not later than 60 days after the date on which the proposed legislation is submitted to Congress. Upon such introduction, the Commission schedule for review bill shall be referred to the appropriate committees of Congress under paragraph (2). If the joint resolution is not introduced in accordance with the preceding sentence, then any member of Congress may introduce such legislation in their respective House of Congress beginning on the date that is the 5th calendar day that such House is in session following the date of the submission of such aggregate legislative language provisions.
(2) Committee consideration
(A) Referral
The joint resolution introduced under paragraph (1) shall be referred to any appropriate committee of jurisdiction in the Senate and the House of Representatives. A committee to which the joint resolution is referred under this paragraph may review and comment on such legislation, may report such legislation to the respective House, and may not amend such legislation.
(B) Reporting
Not later than 30 calendar days after the introduction of the joint resolution, each Committee of Congress to which the joint resolution was referred shall report the legislation.
(C) Discharge of committee
If a committee to which a joint resolution is referred has not reported such legislation at the end of 30 calendar days after its introduction or at the end of the first day after there has been reported to the House a joint resolution involved a joint resolution, whichever is earlier, such committee shall be deemed to be discharged from further consideration of such legislation and such legislation shall be placed on the appropriate calendar of the House involved.
(b) Expedited procedure
(1) Consideration
(A) In general
Not later than 30 calendar days after the date on which a committee has reported a joint resolution or has been discharged from consideration of a joint resolution, the majority leader of the Senate, or the majority leader’s designee, or the Speaker of the House of Representatives, or the Speaker’s designee, shall move to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution. It shall also be in order for any Member of the Senate or the House of Representatives, respectively, to move to proceed to the consideration of the joint resolution at any time after the conclusion of such 5-day period.
(B) Motion to proceed
A motion to proceed to the consideration of a joint resolution is highly privileged in the House of Representatives and is privileged in the Senate and is not debatable. The motion is not subject to amendment or to a motion to postpone consideration of the joint resolution. If the motion to proceed is agreed to, the Senate or the House of Representatives, as the case may be, shall immediately proceed to consideration of the joint resolution without intervening motion, order, or other business, and the joint resolution shall remain the unfinished business of the Senate or the House of Representatives, as the case may be, until disposed of.
(C) Limited debate
Debate on the joint resolution and on all debatable motions and appeals in connection therewith shall be limited to not more than 10 hours, which shall be divided equally between those favoring and those opposing the joint resolution. A motion further to limit debate on the joint resolution is in order and is not debatable. All time used for consideration of the joint resolution, including time used for quorum calls (except quorum calls immediately preceding a vote) and voting, shall come from the 10 hours of debate.
(D) Amendments
No amendment to the joint resolution shall be in order in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
(E) Vote on final passage
Immediately following the conclusion of the debate on the joint resolution, the vote on final passage of the joint resolution shall occur.
(F) Other motions not in order
A motion to postpone consideration of the joint resolution, a motion to proceed to the consideration of other business, or a motion to recommit the review joint resolution is not in order. A motion to reconsider the vote by which the joint resolution is agreed to or not agreed to is not in order.
(2) Consideration by other house
If, before the passage by one House of the joint resolution that was introduced in such House, such House receives from the other House a joint resolution as passed by such other House—
(A)
the joint resolution of the other House shall not be referred to a committee and may only be considered for final passage in the House that receives it under subparagraph (C);
(B)
the procedure in the House in receipt of the joint resolution of the other House, shall be the same as if no joint resolution had been received from the other House; and
(C)
notwithstanding subparagraph (B), the vote on final passage shall be on the joint resolution of the other House.
(3) Disposition
Upon disposition of a joint resolution that is received by one House from the other House, it shall no longer be in order to consider the joint resolution that was introduced in the receiving House.
(c) Rules of the Senate and the House of Representatives
This section is enacted—
(1)
as an exercise of the rulemaking power of the Senate and the House of Representatives, respectively, and is deemed to be part of the rules of each House, respectively, but applicable only with respect to the procedure to be followed in that House in the case of the joint resolution, and it supersedes other rules only to the extent that it is inconsistent with such rules; and
(2)
with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change the rules (so far as they relate to the procedure of that House) at anytime, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of that House.
(d) Fallback provision
If the Senate and the House of Representatives fail to act within one year from the date of introduction, the joint resolution takes effect.
Sec. 10. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Agency
The term agency has the meaning given the term Executive agency in section 105 of title 5, United States Code, except that such term includes an advisory committee.
(2) Calendar day
The term calendar day means a calendar day other than one on which either House is not in session because of an adjournment of more than 3 days to a date certain.
(3) Commission
The term Commission means the Federal Agency Sunset Commission established under section 3.
(4) Super-majority
The term super-majority means an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members, duly chosen and sworn.
(5) Advisory committee
The term advisory committee has the meaning given the term in section 1001 of title 5, United States Code.
(6) Joint resolution
The term joint resolution means a joint resolution consisting of the proposed legislative language submitted by the Commission under section 4(a)(3) and introduced or reintroduced under section 7(a).