Bill · H.R. 489· House(119-HR-489)
Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2025
- Introduced
- 1/16/2025
- Last activity
- 1/16/2025 — 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.
- Sponsored by
- Michael Cloud
- Cosponsors
- - 10 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to oversee the review and potential abolishment of federal agencies. The Commission is tasked with creating a schedule where every agency is reviewed and potentially abolished at least once every 12 years. To prevent agencies from simply disappearing, Congress can reauthorize them or extend an abolishment date by a supermajority vote. The Commission will evaluate agencies based on efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and whether they have exceeded their original authority. The bill also mandates the creation of a program inventory to assist in these reviews. Ultimately, this act aims to create a systematic process for evaluating the continued necessity of federal agencies.
Yes· 3 of 4
Does this reduce what the federal government spends?+6
The bill establishes a systematic process to evaluate and potentially abolish federal agencies to promote efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Does this make the government pay for what it commits to?+5
The bill mandates a review of whether agency programs are cost-effective and whether their jurisdiction duplicates other agencies.
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?+4
The bill requires public hearings and opportunities for public comment regarding the abolishment of agencies.
The opposite· 3 of 5
Does this give the federal government more power?-3
The creation of a new Commission to oversee and potentially abolish existing federal agencies centralizes oversight authority.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?-2
The potential loss of agencies could negatively impact social services provided to low-income households.
Would people in cities be better off under this?-1
The abolition of agencies could reduce the availability of urban-focused social and infrastructure programs.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Efficiency and Consolidation: The Commission is required to review agencies that perform similar or related functions at the same time to promote efficiency and consolidation (Section 2(b)).
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Greater Accountability for Agency Authority: The review process includes checking if agencies have acted outside the scope of their original authority (Section 5(3)).
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Focus on Cost-Effectiveness: Agencies will be evaluated on whether the programs they carry out are cost-effective (Section 5(2)).
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Promotion of Public Input: The Commission will conduct public hearings and provide opportunities for public comment regarding the abolishment of agencies (Section 4(d)).
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Reduced Redundancy: The criteria for review include checking if an agency's jurisdiction duplicates or conflicts with other agencies (Section 5(5)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Uncertainty of Agency Existence: Agencies are scheduled to be reviewed and abolished according to a set schedule unless specifically reauthorized by Congress (Section 2(a)(1) and 2(c)(1)).
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Strict Requirements for Extensions: Extending an agency's abolishment date requires a difficult-to-obtain supermajority vote in both the House and the Senate (Section 2(c)(2)).
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Mandatory Wind Down of Services: If an agency is abolished, the President must manage the winding down of operations, which includes designating another agency to handle ongoing authority or obligations (Section 7).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Reduces Government Spending+6Improves Fiscal Responsibility+5
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For High Income Households+2Good For Low Income Households-2Good For Rural Residents-1Good For Urban Residents-1
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+4Increases Federal Power-3
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Poverty Reduction-1
- 1/16/2025
- 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.
- 10 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Lauren BoebertRepublican · Colorado
Eric BurlisonRepublican · Missouri
Josh BrecheenRepublican · Oklahoma
Byron DonaldsRepublican · Florida
Anna Paulina LunaRepublican · Florida
Mary MillerRepublican · Illinois
Barry MooreRepublican · Alabama
Scott PerryRepublican · Pennsylvania
Beth Van DuyneRepublican · Texas
Randy WeberRepublican · Texas