WASHINGTON - Governmental Affairs Committee Ranking Member Fred Thompson (R-TN) introduced legislation today referred to Congress by the Bush Administration seeking to extensively reform the management of the federal government.
Senator Thompson, a leading Congressional advocate for government reform, said, ?I will work with my colleagues on the Governmental Affairs Committee and in Congress to enact this important package, because it includes comprehensive reforms that will make government work better.
?The Governmental Affairs Committee has documented the problems affecting Executive Branch operations for some time, and I am impressed with the President?s attention to these issues at this critical time in our nation?s history,? Thompson added. ?The President?s package of management reform proposals will allow government managers to carry out their critical responsibilities for the American public more effectively. It?s obvious the Administration understands how very important government reform is to ensuring that the government can accomplish its varied missions.?
The legislation, which includes the Freedom to Manage Act and the Managerial Flexibility Act, makes it easier for Executive Branch management to increase accountability, reduce unnecessary costs, and manage for results. The Managerial Flexibility Act will help the government recruit and retain people with needed skills, increase the flexibility of federal property management, and allow agencies to budget for results. The Freedom to Manage Act would allow other reform proposals, submitted to the Congress by the Administration, to be considered expeditiously by the Congress.
Transmitted to the Congress on Oct. 15, 2001, the Freedom to Manage Act and the Managerial Flexibility Act will now be a part of Senator Thompson?s and the Governmental Affairs Committee?s efforts to reform the management of the Executive Branch.
Source: U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
