FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 14, 2014  

Hudson Introduces Federal Sunset Act of 2014 as Amendment to Omnibus Appropriations Package

WASHINGTON-Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) introduced the Federal Sunset Act of 2014 as an amendment to the omnibus appropriations package.  The Federal Sunset Act of 2014 would help eliminate wasteful government spending and bring much-needed reforms to the way Washington budgets and spends the American people’s hard-earned tax dollars.

“For far too long, the federal government has essentially run on auto-pilot towards a cliff of fiscal and economic disaster.  Hard-earned tax dollars are spent frivolously with little-to-no accountability or oversight.  Politicians talk all the time about shrinking the size of our bloated bureaucracy, but the American people are ready for action,” said Hudson.

"This commonsense measure gives teeth to much-needed reforms in the federal budget process.  By setting an expiration date for each Federal agency, we force Congress to question the need for each program and consider ways to cut wasteful spending to help government operate more efficiently.  Hardworking individuals and families don’t just spend their money carelessly without evaluating the costs first.  It is time we demand the same level of responsibility from the federal government.”

The Federal Sunset Act of 2014 creates a bipartisan commission to set an expiration date on each federal agency and review its policies and programs at least once every 12 years.  This commission would seek public input through hearings on each agency under review.  The commission would then submit a report to Congress containing an analysis of each agency or program, and make recommendations as to which agencies either need to be abolished or substantially reformed.  Congress would then be required to draft legislation to carry out the recommendations otherwise the said agency or program would expire.

To read the full bill text, click here.

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