S. 253 — Introduced in Senate

II 113th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 253 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 7, 2013 Mr. Udall of Colorado (for himself, Mr. Roberts, and Mr. Enzi) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration A BILL Establishing the Committee to Reduce Government Waste. 1. Establishment There shall be a Senate committee known as the Committee to Reduce Government Waste (referred to in this resolution as the committee). 2. Membership (a) Composition The committee shall be composed of 12 members as follows: (1) Four members from the Committee on Finance, 2 selected by the majority leader and 2 selected by the minority leader. (2) Four members from the Committee on Appropriations, 2 selected by the majority leader and 2 selected by the minority leader. (3) Four members from the Committee on the Budget, 2 selected by the majority leader and 2 selected by the minority leader. (b) Tenure of Office (1) Period of Appointment Members shall be appointed for a period not to exceed 6 years. (2) Exceptions No person shall continue to serve as a member of the committee after that person has ceased to be a member of the Committee from which the member was chosen. (c) Vacancies Any vacancy in the committee shall not affect its powers, but shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. (d) Chairman and Vice Chairman The committee shall select a Chairman and Vice Chairman from among its members. (e) Quorum A majority of the members of the committee shall constitute a quorum, but a lesser number of members may hold hearings. The powers conferred upon them under section 4 may be exercised by a majority vote. 3. Duties (a) In general The committee shall have the following duties: (1) Study The committee shall— (A) research, review, and study Federal programs that are underperforming or nonessential; and (B) determine which Federal programs should be modified or eliminated. (2) Recommendations The committee shall develop recommendations to the Senate for actions designed to modify or eliminate underperforming or nonessential Federal programs. (3) Reports and legislation The committee shall submit to the Senate— (A) at least once a year, reports including— (i) a detailed statement of the findings and conclusions of the committee; and (ii) a list of underperforming or nonessential Federal programs; and (B) such legislation and administrative actions as the committee considers appropriate. (b) Consideration of legislation Any legislation submitted to the Senate by the committee shall be considered under the provisions of section 310 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (2 U.S.C. 641). 4. Powers (a) Hearings The committee or, at its direction, any subcommittee or member of the committee, may, for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of section 3— (1) sit and act, at any time, during the sessions, recesses, and adjourned periods of Congress; (2) require as the committee considers necessary, by subpoena or otherwise, the attendance of witnesses and the production of books, papers, and documents; (3) administer oaths and take testimony; and (4) procure necessary printing and binding. (b) Witness Allowances and Fees The provisions of section 1821 of title 28, United States Code, shall apply to witnesses requested to appear at any hearing of the committee. The per diem and mileage allowances for witnesses shall be paid from funds available to pay the expenses of the committee. (c) Expenditures The committee, or any subcommittee thereof, is authorized to make such expenditures as it deems advisable. 5. Appointment and Compensation of Staff Except as otherwise provided by law, the committee shall have the power to appoint and fix the compensation of the Chief of Staff of the committee and such experts and clerical, stenographic, and other assistants as the committee deems advisable. 6. Payment of Expenses The expenses of the committee shall be paid from the contingent fund of the Senate.