The International Association of Firefighters' letter reaffirms the need for debate and evaluation of programs, but asks that this process be done by members of Congress as they were elected to do and not by an unelected commission that is appointed in a partisan manner. "While we are happy to have Congress debate the merits of any programs we support, we believe that this debate should occur through the normal legislative process. We fear that presidentially-appoointed sunset commissions could be used to circumvent the will of Congress, and provide the Administration with a 'back-door' method to eliminate programs or proposals to which it is opposed, such as the FIRE Act."

An interreligious working group on domestic human needs noted that the sunset bill could have alarming negative consequences including expanding executive power, cutting those affected by programs out of the evaluation and budget process, and threatening public accountability by appointing unelected officials to supersede congressional oversight. Instead, members of Congress must insist on "budget policies that lift up the most vulnerable, promote economic justice for all, and strengthen our life and future together as a nation and as part of the global community."

A broad range of programs fall under the purview of this commission. Grants to help state and local governments upgrade their sewer systems are at risk, as is funding for youth sports fields and parks, and even heating and weatherization assistance for the poor.

Rather than creating the “Sunset Commission,” Congress should assert its traditional oversight authority and demand results from programs or agencies that are deemed ineffective. The authorization and appropriations process provide an annual opportunity for this review. In addition, the Government Accountability Office also oversees federal programs and agencies, as do numerous agency Inspectors General.

LCV joins a growing batallion of over four hunderd groups that have voiced their opposition to sunset commission legislation.

Posted by Genevieve Smith, 12:50:21 PM



Latest on Sunsets
So things are a little different now.

The Tiahrt bill is the only bill getting a vote this week. We have known for a while that the Tiahrt bill was the only one scheduled for the Rules Committee, but as of last night the rumors still were that the Brady bill would be appended to the Tiahrt bill as an amendment.

In fact, there was a push to try to schedule the Brady bill for a vote on the suspension calendar today. Although the Brady bill was not expected to win the necessary 2/3 votes required for bills on suspension, the expectation was that there would be a simple majority, which Rep. Brady would then use to bolster his case for appending his bill's language to the Tiahrt bill.

So everything looked the same as of last night -- that there would be a package combining both the Tiahrt and Brady approaches for a vote tomorrow, with the only difference being the parliamentary procedures used to make it happen.

Word has now come down that the Brady bill is off entirely. Apparently the Republican Study Committee plans to refine the bill during the August recess and come back in the tight months between August and the election.

The only bill moving now is the Tiahrt bill, with the Brady bill waiting in the wings for a post-August push.

Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle believe the vote tomorrow will be a close one. So keep thosemessages to Congress coming!

Posted by Robert Shull, 12:11:49 PM

Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Monday, July 24, 2006