The "Reorganizing Government Act of 2025" aims to streamline the executive branch by eliminating unnecessary government operations, reducing federal employment, and decreasing compliance costs, while extending executive reorganization authority through 2026.
James Comer
Representative
KY-1
The "Reorganizing Government Act of 2025" amends Title 5 of the U.S. Code to streamline executive branch operations. It allows for the elimination of unnecessary government functions, prioritizes reducing the federal workforce, and aims to decrease regulatory compliance costs. The act extends executive reorganization authority through December 31, 2026, while preventing increases in federal employees or spending due to reorganization plans.
Reorganizing Government Act of 2025: Streamlining or Power Grab?
The "Reorganizing Government Act of 2025" (SEC. 1) is a sweeping overhaul of how the executive branch can restructure itself. Basically, it gives the President a lot more power to reshuffle, downsize, and even eliminate parts of the federal government until December 31, 2026 (SEC. 2). The stated goals? Cut the number of federal employees, slash red tape, and get rid of anything deemed "unnecessary" for the government's core constitutional duties (SEC. 2).
Shaking Up the System
The bill amends Chapter 9 of Title 5 in the United States Code, swapping "agencies" for "executive departments," which includes pretty much everything except the Government Accountability Office (SEC. 2). This means the President could theoretically reorganize any department, agency, or even a wholly-owned government corporation. It also removes the previous restriction that prevented reorganization plans from killing off enforcement functions or statutory programs (SEC. 2). Think EPA enforcement or certain Social Security programs – those could now be on the chopping block, potentially.
Real-World Rollout: Fewer Feds, Less Paperwork?
Imagine a small business owner constantly battling complex regulations. This bill aims to simplify that, directing agencies to cut compliance costs and ditch rules that don't serve the "public interest" (SEC. 2). For example, if a specific environmental regulation is deemed overly burdensome and not directly benefiting the public, it could be eliminated. On the flip side, a federal employee in a department targeted for "efficiency improvements" might find their job at risk. The bill explicitly aims to shrink the federal workforce (SEC. 2).
The Bottom Line and Big Hurdles
While the bill says any reorganization can't increase the number of federal workers or overall spending (SEC. 2), there are some big question marks. What exactly counts as "unnecessary"? Who decides what's in the "public interest"? These are subjective calls, and that's where things could get tricky. This bill significantly expands executive power, and the removal of the restriction on abolishing enforcement functions is a potential game-changer. It also extends the existing authority for executive reorganization, which expired back in 1984, all the way to the end of 2026 (SEC. 2). The bill also updates a minor year reference in section 909 from "19" to "20" (SEC. 2).
While streamlining government and cutting costs sound good, the devil's always in the details. The potential for weakening important regulatory oversight, and the subjective nature of what is deemed "necesary" or serving "the public interest" should be carefully considered.