Reorganization of Government Act Marked Up

The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform marked up the Reorganizing Government Act of 2025 (H.R. 1295), which amends the Reorganization Act Amendments of 1984, “to reauthorize the executive reorganization authority of the President and to ensure efficient executive reorganization.” 

Introduced by Chairman James Comer (R-KY), the bill would allow the president to propose a government reorganization plan that Congress would consider under special rules. Under the proposal, the plan would be considered by Congress as a Joint Resolution on a simple up or down vote with no amendments and no Senate filibuster. Congressional consideration would be required within 90 calendar days of the president proposing the plan. The bill would expire in December 2026.

According to Comer, both Democratic and Republican administrations have requested the extension of this authority, but it has not been granted. He noted the modern-day growth of the federal government to more than 400 departments, agencies, and subagencies and 1,000 commissions is too big, with duplicative programs and functions once handled by the states or private entities.

Ranking Member Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA), however, said that prior versions of the law allowed the president to have limited authority, with congressional guardrails, to change the government when needed, for example with the creation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in 1979. He said the legislation under consideration is an attempt to circumvent the legislative process and fast-track the elimination of departments and federal programs, such as the Department of Education, and not to reorganize government operations.

For more information, please contact:
Stephanie Giesecke