Number: RL33569
Title: Sunset and Program Review Commission Bills in the 109th Congress: Comparing H.R. 3282 and H.R. 5766
Authors: Virginia A. McMurtry, Government and Finance Division 
Abstract: On July 20, 2006, the Committee on Government Reform voted to report H.R. 3282 favorably, and at the same time, voted to report favorably H.R. 5766, as amended. The votes to order the bills reported were largely along party lines. Republican supporters of the bills contend that there are too many overlapping and ineffective federal programs that contribute to the growing federal deficit and that the commission would assist Congress in performing its oversight function, thereby reducing fraud, waste, and abuse. Democratic critics of the measures counter that the bills would cede too much power to the executive branch, would burden Congress with a tremendous workload with mandatory reauthorization of every agency and program, and would facilitate elimination of federal programs that provide a safety net for the most vulnerable in society. This report examines the two bills and compares selected features, such as membership, powers of the commission, criteria for program review, public participation, and provisions for implementing commission recommendations.
Pages: 13
Date: July 25, 2006