Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress House Bill HB397

Introduced
1/17/23  

Caption

Government Office Realignment And Closure Act of 2023 or the GORAC Act This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to provide for an independent evaluation of federal agencies and programs to identify duplicative, wasteful, or outdated functions and provides for congressional consideration of legislation to implement recommendations from the evaluation. Specifically, the GAO must (1) procure the services of a nonfederal auditor to evaluate each federal program carried out in the previous 20 years, make recommendations on federal agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated, and report on such recommendations; and (2) take steps to assure that any work performed by such auditor complies with standards established by the GAO for audits of federal establishments, programs, activities, and functions. The GAO must provide for the relocation of federal employees whose positions are eliminated as a result of the implementation of recommendations included in the report.

Impact

The implications of HB 397 are significant for federal legislation and state laws, as it may lead to a significant consolidation of responsibilities within federal agencies. Such realignments could affect job stability for federal employees and the structure of various governmental bodies. Furthermore, the savings derived from these evaluations, as specified in the bill, are mandated to be redirected to support domestic programs or pay down the national debt, underscoring a commitment to fiscal responsibility and economic reform.

Summary

House Bill 397, also known as the Government Office Realignment And Closure Act of 2023 (GORAC Act), is designed to improve the efficiency of federal operations by mandating evaluations of federal agencies and programs. The bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to enlist non-federal auditors to review all federal programs that have been active over the past 20 years. The aims are to identify functions that are duplicative, wasteful, or outdated and recommend how these can either be eliminated or realigned for greater efficiency. This will potentially streamline government functions and improve allocation of resources.

Contention

While supporters of HB 397 argue it is a necessary step towards eliminating waste and enhancing accountability in government spending, the bill has raised concerns among some stakeholders regarding the potential impact on federal employment and the risk of overly aggressive cuts that may jeopardize essential services. Additionally, the bill's emphasis on centralizing authority and oversight might encounter resistance from those who favor a more decentralized approach to federal governance, which could contribute to a heated debate in legislative sessions.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

US HB24

Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2023 This bill establishes requirements regarding audits of certain financial agencies performed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Specifically, the bill directs the GAO to complete, within 12 months, an audit of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks. In addition, the bill allows the GAO to audit the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks with respect to (1) international financial transactions; (2) deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy matters; (3) transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee; and (4) discussions or communications among Federal Reserve officers, board members, and employees regarding any of these matters.

US HB824

GORAC Act of 2025 Government Office Realignment And Closure Act of 2025

US HB311

Cost Estimates Improvement Act This bill requires cost estimates prepared by the Congressional Budget Office or the Joint Committee on Taxation to include (1) the cost of servicing the public debt; and (2) a list of any federal agencies, programs, and initiatives with fragmented, overlapping, or duplicative goals or activities covered by the legislation.

US HB411

Lead by Example Act of 2023 This bill provides that, beginning January 3, 2025, the only health care plan the federal government may make available to Members of Congress and congressional staff shall be health care provided through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). By September 15, 2023, the VA and the Office of Personnel Management shall jointly submit to Congress a plan to carry out this bill, including recommendations for any necessary legislative actions.

US HR36

Finding Federal Savings Committee Resolution This resolution establishes the House Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs to analyze underperforming or nonessential federal programs and recommend actions to modify or eliminate those programs. The resolution also establishes expedited procedures for legislation reported by the committee to eliminate programs or rescind funding. The committee shall cease to exist at the end of the 120th Congress.

US HB249

Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2023 This bill expands the awards program for cost-saving identifications by federal employees of fraud, waste, or mismanagement to include identifications of certain operational expenses that are wasteful (i.e., that are identified as wasteful by an employee and that an agency determines are not required for the purposes for which the amounts were made available). An agency must propose any identified wasteful expenses for rescission. The bill also doubles the maximum cash award that may be made under the program.

US HB195

This bill provides states with the authority to name post offices located in the state. The bill makes exceptions with respect to federally named post offices.

US HB265

Train Furtherance of Outstanding Onboard Dining Act or the Train FOOD ActThis bill directs Amtrak to establish an advisory committee to provide internal review for Amtrak's implementation of the Amtrak Food and Beverage Working Group (FBWG) recommendations to improve onboard food and beverage service.The Amtrak advisory committee must submit an annual report to Congress on the status of Amtrak's implementation of each of the FBWG recommendations. The advisory committee's annual reports must be publicly available on an Amtrak website.In addition, the Government Accountability Office must submit a report to Congress describing Amtrak's progress in implementing each FBWG report recommendation.

US HB28

Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025This bill generally prohibits school athletic programs from allowing individuals whose biological sex at birth was male to participate in programs that are for women or girls.Specifically, the bill provides that it is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded education programs or activities to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls. (Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs or activities, including in public elementary and secondary schools and in colleges and universities.) Under the bill, sex is based on an individual's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.The bill does not prohibit male individuals from training or practicing with programs or activities for women or girls as long as such training or practice does not deprive any female of corresponding opportunities or benefits.The Government Accountability Office must report on the benefits for women or girls in single-sex sports that would be lost as a result of male participation. In particular, the report must document the negative psychological, developmental, participatory, and sociological effects of male participation on girls.

US HR131

Requests that a study group form and make recommendations to the legislature concerning implementation of certain federally-provided health policy

Similar Bills

US HB4823

American Financial Institution Regulatory Sovereignty and Transparency Act of 2023

US HB4737

Stop Executive Capture of Banking Regulators Act

US HB2806

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Rural and Remote Hiring and Retention Strategy Act of 2023

US SB2032

Legacy IT Reduction Act of 2023

US HB4891

Multi-Cloud Innovation and Advancement Act of 2023

US HB4855

SNAP Ban Study Act

US HB4505

PLAN for Broadband Act Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act

US SB2238

PLAN for Broadband Act Proper Leadership to Align Networks for Broadband Act