Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2025

This bill would set up a Federal Agency Sunset Commission to regularly check whether federal agencies and advisory committees are still needed. The commission must create a plan so each one is reviewed at least once every 12 years, and an agency would end on its scheduled date unless Congress votes to keep it. Agencies that do similar work would be reviewed at the same time to look for overlap and possible consolidation .

The commission would judge how well agencies work, whether they duplicate others, and whether they have gone beyond what the law allows. It would hold public hearings and invite comments, then recommend whether to continue, reorganize, merge, or end them. A federal program inventory, prepared by the Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office with help from the Congressional Research Service, would support this review. If an agency is ended, the President would oversee a one‑year wind‑down to handle duties, records, and any ongoing legal cases. Congress would consider the commission’s plan on a fast track; if Congress doesn’t act within a year after the plan is introduced, the plan automatically takes effect.

• Who is affected
  • All executive branch agencies and advisory committees
• What changes
  • Regular reviews with recommendations to continue, reorganize, merge, or end agencies
  • Agencies end unless Congress votes to keep them; a shutdown date can be extended up to two years only with a two‑thirds vote in both chambers
  • A government-wide program inventory helps identify overlap and track programs
  • One‑year wind‑down plan if an agency is closed
• When
  • The first review schedule is due within one year of the law taking effect; each agency must be reviewed at least every 12 years
  • The commission submits a report each year by September 1
  • Congress uses an expedited process; if it does not act within one year, the plan takes effect