WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) today made the following statement regarding President Obama’s proposal to reorganize the government:
“I welcome the opportunity to work with the President on the shared goal of ensuring our government agencies operate as efficiently and effectively as possible. Congress should consider the President’s request regarding executive authority to reorganize the government. As we do so, we must ensure a meaningful role for Congress on all reorganization proposals at every juncture. Regarding the example cited by the President, it is important to recall that Congress established the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, within the Executive Office of the President, because our trade objectives were not adequately negotiated, implemented or emphasized when trade negotiators and enforcers were part of a broader agency."
