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Post date: Jan 15, 2012 5:23:21 PM
Snap-O Fact #71
President Obama Asks Congress To Reinstate Executive Power to Streamline The Government!
President Obama has asked Congress to restore the power of the President to merge agencies and streamline government. This would be a first step in a direction that just about everyone agrees is needed. The streamlining would primarily affect regulations over small business and it would save $3 billion over 10 years. while opening the door for more reductions in the future. The thrust of the President's request is for the merging some federal commerce and trade agencies. One example the President pointed out is that there is one agency for regulating salmon in fresh water, and another has the domain of salmon in salt water.
The President also highlighted that the federal bureaucracy currently supports five different involved in housing and over a dozen that regulate food safety.
Although the President has already acted to move in this direction since his inauguration, Congressional authorization is needed to take more meaningful steps. President Obama is seeking necessary Congressional support to minimize the overlap of government agencies and give American business a friendlier environment. During the Presidential campaign in 2008, Mr. Obama has promised to create a better and more efficient bureaucracy, so he is doing what he can right now to keep that promise. This request is in sync with traditional conservative philosophy to shrink government, diminish regulations on businesses, and save money.
Specifically, according to The Washington Post, President “Obama proposed combining the functions and staff of six trade and commerce related agencies and offices: the Small Business Administration; the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; the Export-Import Bank; the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; and the Trade and Development Agency. The move would ease the regulatory burden on businesses and save money by eliminating duplicative functions such as human resources, the White House official said.” Downsizing of about 1000 jobs would be accomplished by attrition rather than firing.
Sources:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/14/us/politics/obama-to-ask-congress-for-power-to-merge-agencies.html
http://nbcpolitics.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/13/10148099-obama-seeks-power-to-merge-agencies
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204542404577158361834894658.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57358534/why-obama-is-seeking-to-merge-agencies/
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