Washington, D.C. -  Today, U.S. Congressman Kevin Brady (R- Woodlands) introduced the Federal Sunset Act of 2008 that cuts wasteful federal spending by creating a bi-partisan commission to hold agencies accountable for performance. Based on state sunset laws, like those in Texas, agencies and programs face regular scrutiny, and may face elimination, or consolidation, if they cannot prove their value to taxpayers. 
 
The legislation would establish a twelve year sunset date for every federal agency; at which time they would be up for a top to bottom assessment on their merit, effectiveness, and responsiveness to taxpayers. Ineffective and outdated programs would be eliminated, or “sunsetted,” while effective programs would be renewed to continue their service to taxpayers. 
 
“The federal government has simply grown too big, too fat, and too wasteful. In a time of war and deficits, we need to make sure that every dollar counts. A federal sunset law is a proven, thoughtful way to abolish obsolete federal programs, eliminate duplication and hold every federal agency accountable to taxpayers,” said Brady, who first introduced the bi-partisan measure in 1997. The measure has passed through committee, and even received overwhelming support on the House floor as an amendment in past sessions, but has never been considered as a stand-alone bill on the floor.
 
Placing a sunset on government agencies and programs was first implemented by the state of Colorado in 1976.  Since then roughly half of all states, including Texas, have some form of active sunset legislation.  In Texas, the sunset process has eliminated 44 agencies and saved taxpayers more than $784 million.  The sunset approach is a proven and successful model for curbing government waste. 
 
“It’s a simple concept. Each and every federal government agency must justify its existence -- not its value when it was created 100 years ago ... or 40 years ago ... or even 20 years ago. They must prove that they deserve our tax dollars today,” said Brady.
 
To date there are 64 separate welfare programs, 500 urban aide programs, 342 economic development programs, and 240 education programs; just a few examples of where the federal government’s money is going.
 
From his seat on the House Ways & Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over 2/3 of the federal budget, Congressman Brady has fought to curb wasteful spending of the federal government.