Austin, Texas - - “Today, my colleagues and I have returned home to talk about the need of bringing a little Texas common sense back to Washington,” said Brady. “I will introduce the Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 1999, which would place an expiration date on every federal agency, requiring them to justify their existence to the American taxpayers and the United States Congress - or face the possibility of elimination.”

The Abolishment of Obsolete Agencies and Federal Sunset Act of 1999, similar to the bill U.S. Representative Kevin Brady introduced in the 105th Congress, would determine the efficiency and public need of agencies by establishing a 12-member bipartisan commission. The commission would consist of eight members of Congress and four private citizens.

“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.

Two years previous to the elimination date, the commission examines each agency’s need, value, cost-effectiveness and level of customer service. Then citizens, taxpayers, and state and local officials are given a chance to speak their minds through hearings and the legislative framework. After a thorough evaluation, the commission recommends to Congress that an agency be reauthorized, streamlined,
consolidated or eliminated.

“Federal agencies that outlive their usefulness or refuse to spend tax dollars efficiently, are a burden on the American taxpayer and must be eliminated,” said Brady.