H.R.1847 - To codify Executive Order 14158 relating to establishing and implementing the President’s Department of Government Efficiency. (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R. 1847 aims to codify Executive Order 14158, which relates to establishing and implementing the President's Department of Government Efficiency. The bill seeks to give the Executive Order the full force and effect of law through congressional action. This would make the provisions of the Executive Order more permanent and harder to alter or revoke by future administrations.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. The goal is to ensure the Department of Government Efficiency, as outlined in the Executive Order, is legally established and maintained.
Codifying the executive order would provide a stronger legal foundation for the department, potentially leading to more consistent and long-term implementation of its goals.
Expected Effects
If passed, H.R. 1847 would transform the President's Department of Government Efficiency from an entity established by executive order to one established by law.
This would make it more difficult for future presidents to dismantle or significantly alter the department's structure and mission. The department's actions would also be subject to greater scrutiny and potential legal challenges, as they would be governed by statute.
This could lead to increased stability and potentially greater efficiency in government operations, but also reduce executive flexibility.
Potential Benefits
- Increased stability and permanence for the Department of Government Efficiency.
- Enhanced accountability and transparency due to the department's actions being governed by law.
- Potential for long-term improvements in government efficiency and cost savings.
- Reduced risk of the department being easily dismantled or altered by future administrations.
- Codification could lead to more consistent application of efficiency measures across different government agencies.
Most Benefited Areas:
Potential Disadvantages
- Reduced executive flexibility in managing and adjusting the Department of Government Efficiency.
- Potential for the department to become entrenched and resistant to necessary reforms.
- Increased difficulty in adapting the department's structure and mission to changing circumstances.
- Risk of creating a bureaucratic entity that is not as responsive to presidential direction.
- Codification may limit the ability of future administrations to implement their own efficiency initiatives.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill's constitutional alignment hinges on Congress's power to legislate and establish government departments. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
However, the creation of a new department could be viewed as an encroachment on the executive branch's authority to manage its own affairs. The Constitution establishes a separation of powers, and the extent to which Congress can dictate the structure and function of executive departments is a matter of ongoing debate.
Whether this bill aligns with the Constitution depends on how one interprets the balance of power between the legislative and executive branches.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).