New GORAC Act Mandates Sweeping Federal Agency Reviews Every 10 Years: Aims to Slash Debt, Streamline Government

The "Government Office Realignment And Closure Act of 2025," or GORAC Act, sets up a 10-year cycle for evaluating pretty much every federal agency and program (except the military and those handling entitlements like Social Security). The goal? Find and eliminate waste, duplication, and outdated operations, then funnel all the savings straight into paying down the national debt. The first review kicks off within a year of the bill becoming law.

The 10-Year Scrub-Down

This law tasks the Comptroller General—basically the government's top watchdog—with hiring an outside auditor to do the dirty work. This non-federal auditor has one year to dig into agencies and programs, looking for:

• Overlap: Agencies doing the same thing, which could be merged (SEC. 2).
• Waste: Money spent badly, mismanaged, or used for personal/special interest gain (SEC. 2).
• Obsolete Stuff: Programs that are done, irrelevant, or just plain failing (SEC. 2).

Within 30 days of getting the auditor's report, the Comptroller General sends Congress a list of recommendations and draft legislation to make it all happen. Any money saved must go to debt reduction, and there are provisions for relocating federal employees whose jobs are cut (SEC. 2). This outside auditor also gets some serious power – they can ask the Comptroller General to subpoena witnesses and documents if needed (SEC. 2). Think of it like an independent investigator having the power to call in anyone and demand records to get to the bottom of things.

Real-World Rumble: Who Feels the Impact?

Imagine a small business owner constantly reviewing their expenses to stay afloat – that's what this bill aims to do for the government. For example, if two agencies are both running programs to help farmers with soil conservation, the auditor might recommend combining them. This could mean less paperwork for farmers and potentially lower costs for taxpayers. On the flip side, if you're a federal employee in an agency deemed "outdated" or "wasteful," you might be looking at relocation or even job loss, though the bill includes provisions to help with relocation (SEC. 2). A web developer working for a small government contractor, for instance, might find their project shut down if the contracting agency faces cuts.

Fast Track to Change – or a Rush Job?

Here's where things get interesting. Congress gets a streamlined process to consider these changes (SEC. 3). The relevant committee chairs introduce the implementation bill, and committees have just 15 days to review it before it goes to the full floor. No amendments are allowed, and debate is limited to 10 hours. This fast-track approach is designed to push through reforms quickly, but it also means less time for scrutiny and potential adjustments. It's like deciding on a major home renovation in a single afternoon – efficient, but potentially overlooking crucial details. While the bill aims to reduce waste and improve efficiency, the reliance on a non-federal auditor and the rushed Congressional process raise some eyebrows. It's a bit like hiring an outside consultant to reorganize your company – they might bring fresh ideas, but they also might not fully understand the ins and outs of your business. And with limited debate, there's less chance to catch any unintended consequences before they hit.