Overview

• Amends Chapter 9 of Title 5, U.S.C. to reauthorize executive reorganization authority
• House bill reported from committee with amendments, now committed to Committee of the Whole
• Expands presidential power to restructure federal government through expedited procedures

Who does this affect?

• Federal employees: Reorganization plans can now reduce workforce size
• Americans who use federal services: Agencies and programs can be eliminated without the previous statutory protection
• President: Gains expanded authority to consolidate, abolish, or transfer executive departments
• Teen impact score: 5/10 (indirect impact via family economics if parents work in federal government or through elimination of programs families use)

What This Bill Does

• Extends reorganization authority deadline from December 31, 1984 to December 31, 2026 (Section 905(b) and 908)
• Adds three new reorganization purposes: (1) reducing federal employee numbers, (2) eliminating regulations to decrease compliance costs, and (3) eliminating operations not serving public interest (Section 901(a)(7)-(9))
• Removes restriction that prevented abolishing enforcement functions or statutory programs (Section 903(a)(2)(C))
• Prohibits reorganization plans that create net increases in federal workers or expenditures (Section 905(a)(7))
• Broadens definition of 'executive department' to include any executive agency, independent establishment, or wholly-owned corporation (Section 902(1))
• Changes effective year in Section 909 from '19__' to '20__' to reflect 21st century

Legislative Status

• Introduced February 13, 2025 with 20 cosponsors
• Reported from Oversight Committee with amendments January 27, 2026
• Rules Committee discharged; committed to Committee of the Whole House
• Placed on Union Calendar No. 397, awaiting floor consideration

In short

• Brings back presidential authority to reorganize federal agencies that expired over 40 years ago
• Allows President to submit reorganization plans that take effect in 60 days unless Congress votes them down
• Removes safeguards that protected enforcement programs and statutory functions from elimination
• Prohibits plans that would increase government size or spending
• Authority expires December 31, 2026

Why should I care?

This bill shifts power over how government operates. The President could eliminate agencies that enforce environmental rules, protect workers, or run programs families depend on. If your parents work for the federal government, their jobs could be affected by workforce reductions. The bill removes a safety net that prevented abolishing programs Congress created, meaning health inspections, student aid offices, or safety regulators could be reorganized away. While reorganization can make government more efficient, critics worry about losing oversight. The tight 60-day window for Congress to reject plans means changes could happen fast.