Home > Take Action > Action Alert - 7/28/06

The House and Senate have independently been taking up various budget process reforms in an attempt to reign in federal spending. One proposal of particular concern to the food and nutrition community and coming up this week is the Sunset Commission.

Sunset Commission

The Government Efficiency Act, H.R. 5766 (“Tiahrt Bill”) and the Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 2005, H.R. 3282 (“Brady Bill”) both aim to establish commissions which would have the power to set expiration or “sunset” dates for federal programs which they deem unnecessary and inefficient or whose services are deemed to be duplicated in another program or agency. Both bills are expected on the House floor today with a vote expected tomorrow.

Both versions would create an unelected, unaccountable commission with the authority to review, evaluate and eliminate federal programs, agencies and departments, including entitlements, with exceedingly limited input from Congress or the public. There would be no public hearings and meetings could be closed to the public. Programs which are not supported by the Administration or a congressional majority would be in danger of being eliminated. Under both bills the commission would be organized in such a way that more than half of its members would be from the majority party in Congress and/or directly appointed by the President.  Only a simple majority would be needed to pass commission recommendations, thereby negating any incentive to achieve bipartisan support.  The sunset commission would also be granted sweeping authority to develop far-reaching changes to federal programs. Members of Congress would be prohibited from offering amendments at any stage of Congressional consideration.

Immediate Action Needed: Contact your House Member (especially moderate Republicans and Democrats) to oppose the sunset commission (and amendments to the legislation) along with other budget process legislation that jeopardizes important government programs that support low-income and vulnerable people. CAPITOL SWITCHBOARD: 202-225-3121. Let your Member know that you oppose an unelected body making important decisions about the future of food and nutrition and other programs that support low-income people.

For more information, go to:
http://www.ombwatch.org/sunset
http://www.cbpp.org/6-16-06bud.htm
http://www.cbpp.org/6-19-06bud.htm

* * *

Printer Friendly Version