Results Commissions

Program overlap often impedes performance and increases costs. The success of reform proposals is hindered by overlapping jurisdictions in both Executive Branch agencies and Congressional committees. Program overlap is one of the reasons 30 percent of programs are rated as either ineffective or unable to demonstrate results. Overlapping jurisdictions in the Executive Branch and the Congress provide daunting hurdles to legislative remedies to the poor performance of duplicative programs.

The Administration proposes Results Commissions—to consider and revise Administration proposals to improve the performance of programs or agencies by restructuring or consolidating them. Congress would approve the establishment of individual Results Commissions to address single program or policy areas where duplication and the overlapping jurisdictions of Executive Branch agencies or congressional committees hinder reform. Proposals approved by the commission would then be approved by the President and considered by the Congress under expedited procedures.

Sunset Commission

The Administration also proposes a process by which programs undergo the regular scrutiny brought about by having to defend their existence before a Sunset Commission. Programs would be reviewed according to a schedule enacted by the Congress under expedited procedures. The Commission would consider proposals to retain, restructure, or terminate programs. Programs would automatically terminate according to the schedule unless the Congress took some action to reauthorize them.