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Thursday, July 03, 2008

Senate Moves Bill to Renew Federal Improvement Panel

Just before it broke for its July 4 recess, the Senate approved a bill (H.R. 3564) to reauthorize the Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS). Congress initially formed ACUS in the 1960's, but vanquished it in the mid 1990's as part of the Newt Gingrich-led effort to reduce government.

ACUS was a panel of administrative law experts. ACUS studied the federal rulemaking process and other operations of federal agencies. The panel took long-term views and made recommendations on improved performance.

The bill would authorize ACUS to receive $3.2 million from FY 2009 — FY 2011. ACUS would be a bargain at twice the price, as it has the potential to more than pay for itself by making recommendations on improved government efficiency and performance.

The idea of renewing ACUS is swimming in bipartisan support. It has already passed the House, where it is sponsored by Reps. Linda Sanchez (D-CA) and Chris Cannon (R-UT). According to BNA news service (subscription), Judiciary Committee leadership Sens. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) pushed the bill through the Senate last week. The bill also has the support of two Supreme Court justices: Stephen Breyer and Antonin Scalia, both former members of ACUS.

Technically, ACUS already exists. 2004 legislation reauthorized the panel. Unfortunately, since then, Congress has not funded it, making it impossible for ACUS to have employees, computers, three-hold punches, etc.

That trend is likely to continue, as insiders believe — because of election season and general ineptitude — Congress won't be able to pass appropriations bills this fall, preferring instead to pass a continuing resolution. Continuing resolutions can't appropriate funds to agencies that don't currently exist, so ACUS may remain a hollow entity.

Because some minor changes were made in the Senate, the bill will now shoot back over to the House, before being sent to the President.