WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senators Rick Scott, Joni Ernst, Mike Braun, Mike Crapo and Thom Tillis introduced the Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act to help streamline operations and identify inefficiencies of bloated federal agencies in order to reduce waste and save taxpayer dollars. The Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act creates a review process to routinely evaluate the efficiency of federal agencies, justify their existence in their current structure, and offer recommendations for change in the form of proposed legislation. Representative Michael Cloud introduced the companion bill in the House of Representatives.

Senator Rick Scott said, “Our nation is on track to reach $30 trillion in debt and reckless, unaccountable spending by politicians in Washington has put us on a path of economic self-destruction. We have to take action. One way we can actually protect the American taxpayer is by routinely evaluating the usefulness of our government agencies and identifying their inefficiencies. I did it as Governor of Florida, and it saved Florida taxpayers millions of dollars. The Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act will help eliminate waste and redundancies throughout the federal government, and make Washington work better for American families.” 

Senator Joni Ernst said, “Congress’ job is to hold federal agencies accountable and to work to prevent unelected bureaucrats from wasting hardworking taxpayer dollars. This bill builds on my efforts to increase oversight and transparency—and to ensure our government is acting in the best interests of Iowans.”

Senator Mike Braun said, “When I built my business back on Main Street, if you weren’t constantly evaluating whether your money was being well-spent, you’d soon find yourself out of business. The federal government should do the same, and that’s why I’m proud to join the Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act to identify inefficiencies in bloated government agencies and evaluate whether they are effective enough to continue.”

Senator Mike Crapo said, “As stewards of federal spending, Congress must exercise its oversight responsibilities to prevent waste, fraud and abuse of federal programs.  The federal government must be limited, and taxpayer dollars must be used efficiently to effectively help Americans. The Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act will help accomplish each of these critical functions of Congress’s oversight.”

Senator Thom Tillis said, “Taxpayer dollars should not be spent on inefficient or unnecessary federal agencies. This legislation forces Congress to evaluate the effectiveness of a particular agency by establishing a commission to set an expiration date for each federal agency and provides needed reform to our federal budget process.”

Representative Michael Cloud said, “The federal government is so big that no one can even say with certainty how many federal agencies exist. While no single $100 million or even $1 billion program is responsible for our $28 trillion national debt, they all quickly add up. Federal agencies should be subject to regular oversight and review, so we can identify which agency is doing the spending and how effective that agency is. Hardworking American taxpayers have to make difficult decisions every day to make ends meet and so should Congress. It is vital we restore trust with the American people in how Congress spends taxpayer dollars. I thank Senator Rick Scott for supporting this effort in the Senate.”

The Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act would:

• Create a 13 member bipartisan Commission to review the efficiency and public need for each federal agency.
  • Require the Commission to review and report to Congress on all legislation introduced in Congress that would establish a new agency, or a new program to be carried out by an existing agency.
  • Require the Commission to annually recommend, in the form of legislation, whether the reviewed agencies should be abolished, reorganized, or continued and whether the responsibilities of agencies should be consolidated, transferred, or reorganized.
• Require Congress to vote on the Commission’s timeline for abolishment of agencies within a year of the bill’s passage.
• Expedite the process for Congress to vote on a joint resolution either adopting or rejecting the recommendations of the Commission.

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