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Letter to Congressional Leadership on Government Reorganization and Realignment

Business Roundtable CEOs, who lead companies that collectively employ more than 14 million employees and generate over $6 trillion in annual revenues, believe that streamlining and modernizing the federal government is an essential step to making government more responsive and reducing its burden on the private economy. That is why America’s CEOs welcomed President Obama’s request to Congress for authority to reorganize the federal government.
 
CEOs often have to eliminate inefficiencies and redeploy resources to respond to changing circumstances – and they have the authority to do so. The President should have the same authority that CEOs and many governors have.
 
Until the 1980s, all presidents had the authority to reorganize the government, eliminate waste and improve efficiency. Congress should act now to restore this vital management tool and hold the President accountable for the results. While specific proposals will always undergo Congressional review, the need for robust Executive reorganization authority regardless which party is in office is unassailable.
 
Attached is model legislation – The Government Reorganization and Realignment Act – prepared by Business Roundtable to authorize a broader, more comprehensive reorganization of the federal government. Meaningful reorganization and realignment of federal agencies cannot be accomplished unless the Congress grants the President authority to consolidate and reorganize Executive Branch agencies.
 
Business Roundtable urges swift action by both the Administration and Congress to reduce the size and complexity of the federal government. Making government more effective, efficient and responsive is an important piece of making America more competitive. Business Roundtable stands ready to work with you to enact legislation to grant reorganization and consolidation authority to the President.
Thank you for your attention to this vital issue.
 
Sincerely,
John Engler
 
JE/jmc
Attachment
Copy: Members of the 112th Congress

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