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Ford Press Releases - Reorganization, 1969
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Ford Press Releases - Reorganization, 1969
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Gerald R. Ford Congressional Papers
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U.S. Congress. 1789-
Government reorganization
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The original documents are located in Box D9, folder "Ford Press Releases -
Reorganization, 1969" of the Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File
at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Copyright Notice
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of
photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. The Council donated to the United
States of America his copyrights in all of his unpublished writings in National Archives collections.
Works prepared by U.S. Government employees as part of their official duties are in the public
domain. The copyrights to materials written by other individuals or organizations are presumed to
remain with them. If you think any of the information displayed in the PDF is subject to a valid
copyright claim, please contact the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library.
Digitized from Box D9 of The Ford Congressional Papers: Press Secretary and Speech File at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library
U. S. HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPUBLICAN POLICY COMMITTEE
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
91st Congress
February 25, 1969
First Session
Statement Number 2
EXTENSION OF EXECUTIVE REORGANIZATION AUTHORITY
The House Republican Policy Committee urges the immediate
extension of the President's authority to submit to the Congress plans
to reorganize the Executive Branch.
The Reorganization Act of 1949 and subsequent legislation place
upon the President the permanent responsibility of periodically re-
examining all agencies of the Government. If he determines that changes
are necessary, he shall submit to the Congress reorganization plans to
accomplish one or more of the following: purposes:
1. To promote the better execution of the laws, the more
effective management of the Executive Branch of the
Government and of its agencies and functions, and the
expeditious administration of the public business;
2. To reduce expenditures and promote economy to the fullest
extent consistent with the efficient operation of the
Government;
3. To increase the efficiency of the operations of the
Government to the fullest extent practicable;
4. To group, coordinate, and consolidate agencies and functions
of the Government, as nearly as may be, according to the major
purposes;
(over)
5. To reduce the number of agencies by consolidating those
having similar functions under a single head, and to abolish
such agencies or functions thereof as may not be necessary
for the efficient conduct of the Government; and
6. To eliminate overlapping and duplication of effort.
The Act provides that reorganization plans generally take effect
sixty days after receipt by the Congress, unless either House of the
Congress during that period passes a resolution of disapproval.
Congress has repeatedly and consistently recognized the need
to modernize the Federal Government, and that reorganization of the many
and varied departments, agencies and bureaus of the Executive Branch must
be made from time to time if government is to be made more efficient and
economical, Authority for the President to submit r.eorganization plans
to the Congress has been renewed periodically in various forms since the
Economy Act of 1932. This authority to submit reorganization proposals
has been available to every President since Herbert Hoover.
This procedure admittedly reverses the usual legislative process.
This device, however, is particularly useful in Government reorganization,
and the Congress has recognized this fact for more than three decades.
Such cooperation between the Executive and Legislative Branches in
Government with regard to reorganization has proven sensible and effective.
We urge that the Presidential authority contained in Chapter 9
of Title 5, of the United States Code be continued immediately.
Office Capy
1111007
U. S. HOUSE
REPUBLICAN POLICY
COMMITTEE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
91st Congress
February 25, 1969
First Session
Statement Number 2
EXTENSION OF EXECUTIVE REORGANIZATION AUTHORITY
The House Republican Policy Committee urges the immediate
extension of the President's authority to submit to the Congress plans
to reorganize the Executive Branch.
The Reorganization Act of 1949 and subsequent legislation place
upon the President the permanent responsibility of periodically re-
examining all agencies of the Government. If he determines that changes
are necessary, he shall submit to the Congress reorganization plans to.
accomplish one or more of the following purposes:
1. To promote the better execution of the laws, the more
effective management of the Executive Branch of the
Government and of its agencies and functions, and the
expeditious administration of the public business;
2. To reduce expenditures and promote economy to the fullest
extent consistent with the efficient operation of the
Government;
3. To increase the efficiency of the operations of the
Government to the fullest extant practicable;
4. To group, coordinate, and consolidate agencies and functions
of the Government, as nearly as may be, according to the major
purposes;
(over)
5. To reduce the number of agencies by consolidating those
having similar functions under a single head, and to abolish
such agencies or functions thereof as may not be necessary
for the efficient conduct of the Government; and
6. To eliminate overlapping and duplication of effort.
The Act provides that reorganization plans generally take effect
sixty days after receipt by the Congress, unless either House of the
Congress during that period passes a resolution of disapproval.
Congress has repeatedly and consistently recognized the need
to modernize the Federal Government, and that reorganization of the many
and varied departments, agencies and bureaus of the Executive Branch must
be made from time to time if government is to be made more efficient and
economical, Authority for the President to submit r.eorganization plans
to the Congress has been renewed periodically in various forms since the
Economy Act of 1932. This authority to submit reorganization proposals
has been available to every President since Herbert Hoover.
This procedure admittedly reverses the usual legislative process.
This device, however, is particularly useful in Government reorganization,
and the Congress has recognized this fact for more than three decades.
Such cooperation between the Executive and Legislative Branches in
Government with regard to reorganization has proven sensible and effective.
We urge that the Presidential authority contained in Chapter 9
of Title 5, of the United States Code be continued immediately.
Offere Capy
mume
U. S. HOUSE
REPUBLICAN POLICY
COMMITTEE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
91st Congress
March 4, 1969
First Session
Statement Number 3
CONGRESSIONAL REORGANIZATION
"Congress itself must be reorganized and modernized as a
co-equal branch of government."
Republican Platform
August 7, 1968
"The awesome problems of today and the challenges of the 70's
demand an efficient and effective Congress. Unless Congress
is strengthened and new procedures and techniques developed,
there is grave danger that the historic role of Congress as
an essential check on the massive power of the Executive may
be dangerously diluted. Legislation is needed to update and
modernize Congress."
Republican Policy Committee
Statement, May 10, 1967
The Republican Members of the House of Representatives are determined to bring
the rules and procedures of Congress into the 20th Century. Only by accomplishing
legislative reorganization, only by equipping itself with the machinery fitted to the
times, can Congress succeed in shaping laws that cope with the complex problems of
modern society.
The bipartisan Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress, established by
unanimous vote of both the House and the Senate in the 89th Congress, has thoroughly
studied the organization of the Legislative Branch. Its report sets forth numerous
recommendations for improved structural changes and operational procedures of the
Congress. In light of these recommendations, legislation has been introduced which
proposes the following major improvements:
1. The establishment of a permanent Joint Committee on Congressional Operations
with continuing authority to study the structure and procedures of Congress
and to recommend additional reforms and changes.
2. The protection of the rights of the minority through the provision of
additional committee staff, the right to file minority views in committee
reports, the provision of equal time on conference reports, and the right
(over)
to schedule witnesses during at least one day of committee hearings.
3. The authorization of measures designed to assist Members of Congress in
the performance of their Congressional duties. Such measures would include
enlarging committee staffs, strengthening and improving the Legislative
Reference Service, and authorizing committees to employ consultants on an
interim basis in order to take advantage of expertise in various fields
of knowledge.
4. The implementation of fiscal controls and budgetary reforms that would
include (1) a greater utilization of the General Accounting Office, (2) a
multiple-year financial projection of programs, (3) the updating of the
budget on June 1 of each year, and (4) the requirement that responsible
Executive Department officials testify before the Appropriations Committee
of each House within 30 days after the budget is presented to Congress.
5. The requirement that each standing committee upgrade its oversight function
by the review and study, on a continuing basis, of the regulations, pro-
cedures, practices and policies of the Government, pertaining to the
application, operation, administration and execution of the laws which
are within the jurisdiction of the committee.
6. The more thorough supervision of lobbying activities.
7. The establishment of a Bill of Rights for committees that would require
announcement of record votes, permit a majority to compel the filing of
a report or a bill, prohibit the use of proxies, and require the printing
of committee rules at the beginning of each session.
Republicans have long urged Congressional reform. Their dedication to the
improvement of the legislative branch is reflected in: (1) the establishment of the
Republican Task Force on Congressional Reform and Minority Staffing during the 89th
and 90th Congresses, (2) the House Republican Policy Committee Statement of May 10,
1967, cited above, (3) the Policy Committee Statement of October 10, 1966, (4) the
resolution passed by a unanimous vote of the House Republican Conference on
October 11, 1967, and (5) the Congressional reform plank in the National Republican
Platform of 1968.
The need for a modernized Congress has never been more urgent than today.
The House Republican Policy Committee reendorses the recommendations of its
May 10, 1967 statement and urges the prompt enactment of legislation to modernize
and improve the Legislative Branch of the Government.
U. S. HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES
REPUBLICAN POLICY
COMMITTEE
REP. JOHN J. RHODES, (R.-ARIZ.) CHAIRMAN
1616 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING
TELEPHONE 225-6168
10
91st Congress
March 4, 1969
First Session
Statement Number 3
CONGRESSIONAL REORGANIZATION
"Congress itself must be reorganized and modernized as a
co-equal branch of government."
Republican Platform
August 7, 1968
"The awesome problems of today and the challenges of the 70's
demand an efficient and effective Congress. Unless Congress
is strengthened and new procedures and techniques developed,
there is grave danger that the historic role of Congress as
an essential check on the massive power of the Executive may
be dangerously diluted. Legislation is needed to update and
modernize Congress."
Republican Policy Committee
Statement, May 10, 1967
The Republican Members of the House of Representatives are determined to bring
the rules and procedures of Congress into the 20th Century. Only by accomplishing
legislative reorganization, only by equipping itself with the machinery fitted to the
times, can Congress succeed in shaping laws that cope with the complex problems of
modern society.
The bipartisan Joint Committee on the Organization of Congress, established by
unanimous vote of both the House and the Senate in the 89th Congress, has thoroughly
studied the organization of the Legislative Branch. Its report sets forth numerous
recommendations for improved structural changes and operational procedures of the
Congress. In light of these recommendations, legislation has been introduced which
proposes the following ma jor improvements:
1. The establishment of a permanent Joint Committee on Congressional Operations
with continuing authority to study the structure and procedures of Congress
and to recommend additional reforms and changes.
2. The protection of the rights of the minority through the provision of
additional committee staff, the right to file minority views in committee
reports, the provision of equal time on conference reports, and the right
(over)
to schedule witnesses during at least one day of committee hearings.
3. The authorization of measures designed to assist Members of Congress in
the performance of their Congressional duties. Such measures would include
enlarging committee staffs, strengthening and improving the Legislative
Reference Service, and authorizing committees to employ consultants on an
interim basis in order to take advantage of expertise in various fields
of knowledge.
4. The implementation of fiscal controls and budgetary reforms that would
include (1) a greater utilization of the General Accounting Office, (2) a
multiple-year financial projection of programs, (3) the updating of the
budget on June 1 of each year, and (4) the requirement that responsible
Executive Department officials testify before the Appropriations Committee
of each House within 30 days after the budget is presented to Congress.
5. The requirement that each standing committee upgrade its oversight function
by the review and study, on a continuing basis, of the regulations, pro-
cedures, practices and policies of the Government, pertaining to the
application, operation, administration and execution of the laws which
are within the jurisdiction of the committee.
6. The more thorough supervision of lobbying activities.
7. The establishment of a Bill of Rights for committees that would require
announcement of record votes, permit a majority to compel the filing of
a report or a bill, prohibit the use of proxies, and require the printing
of committee rules at the beginning of each session.
Republicans have long urged Congressional reform. Their dedication to the
improvement of the legislative branch is reflected in: (1) the establishment of the
Republican Task Force on Congressional Reform and Minority Staffing during the 89th
and 90th Congresses, (2) the House Republican Policy Committee Statement of May 10,
1967, cited above, (3) the Policy Committee Statement of October 10, 1966, (4) the
resolution passed by a unanimous vote of the House Republican Conference on
October 11, 1967, and (5) the Congressional reform plank in the National Republican
Platform of 1968.
The need for a modernized Congress has never been more urgent than today.
The House Republican Policy Committee reendorses the recommendations of its
May 10, 1967 statement and urges the prompt enactment of legislation to modernize
and improve the Legislative Branch of the Government.