House Passes "Federal Agency Performance Act" to Boost Government Accountability

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21 days ago - Politics

On October 2023, the House of Representatives decided on something important to help make sure government agencies, like the FBI or the Post Office, are doing a good job. They voted on a new plan called the "Federal Agency Performance Act," which aims to ensure these agencies are working efficiently and getting better over time.

Here's what this is all about:

  1. Check-ups for Progress: Every government agency has to review how well they are doing every year. They need to figure out if they are meeting their goals or if there are problems they need to fix. This is like getting a report card in school to see if you're doing well or need extra help.

  2. Sharing Progress with Everyone: The government will update a special website where people can see how each agency is doing. This means everyone can see if an agency is meeting its goals or not, making the government more open and honest about its work.

  3. Teamwork for Big Goals: For really important goals that affect the country, two leaders from different parts of the government will come together to make sure these goals are achieved. This is like working with a study partner to get a big project done.

The House passed the act, meaning most of the representatives agreed it was a good idea. This new law is like setting up regular check-ups and teamwork to make the government more responsible and effective. It's all about making sure these agencies are doing what they are supposed to and letting people know about their progress.

This bill—the Federal Agency Performance Act of 2023—makes federal agencies check and report how well they are doing each year. They need to set clear goals and regularly review their progress. Here are the key changes and requirements this bill introduces:

  1. Annual Reviews: Every agency must review its goals at least once a year. They need to check if they are likely to meet these goals and find any issues that might stop them from doing so.

  2. Team Involvement: Important agency leaders, like Performance Improvement Officers and others, must help in these reviews to ensure goals are met.

  3. Keeping Track: Agencies must keep detailed records of their goals and progress on a special website. This makes it easy for everyone to see how well the government is doing.

  4. Government Goals: The bill also sets up high-priority goals for the entire federal government. These must be reviewed and updated with every new President.

  5. Accountability: It specifies who is in charge of meeting these goals, making sure there are always at least two main people responsible—one from the President's team and one from the contributing agency.

This bill aims to make the government work better and be more accountable for reaching its goals, making sure everyone knows how well it’s performing.

395 votes

Yes

389

No

6

Not Voting

37

  1. Presented to President.
  2. Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  3. Resolving differences -- Senate actions: Senate agreed to the House Amendment to S. 709 by Voice Vote.
  4. Senate agreed to the House Amendment to S. 709 by Voice Vote.
  5. Message on House action received in Senate and at desk: House amendment to Senate bill.
  6. Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  7. On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 - 6 (Roll no. 484). (text: 12/4/2024 CR H6313-6314)
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  8. Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 389 - 6 (Roll no. 484). (text: 12/4/2024 CR H6313-6314)
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  9. Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6395)
  10. At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
  11. DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 709.
  12. Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6313-6315)
  13. Mr. Burchett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
  14. Held at the desk.
  15. Received in the House.
  16. Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  17. Engrossed in Senate

    This bill—the Federal Agency Performance Act of 2023—makes federal agencies check and report how well they are doing each year. They need to set clear goals and regularly review their progress. Here are the key changes and requirements this bill introduces:

    1. Annual Reviews: Every agency must review its goals at least once a year. They need to check if they are likely to meet these goals and find any issues that might stop them from doing so.

    2. Team Involvement: Important agency leaders, like Performance Improvement Officers and others, must help in these reviews to ensure goals are met.

    3. Keeping Track: Agencies must keep detailed records of their goals and progress on a special website. This makes it easy for everyone to see how well the government is doing.

    4. Government Goals: The bill also sets up high-priority goals for the entire federal government. These must be reviewed and updated with every new President.

    5. Accountability: It specifies who is in charge of meeting these goals, making sure there are always at least two main people responsible—one from the President's team and one from the contributing agency.

    This bill aims to make the government work better and be more accountable for reaching its goals, making sure everyone knows how well it’s performing.

  18. Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S487-489; text: CR S488-489)
  19. Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
  20. Reported to Senate

    This is about making some changes to help everyone working for the U.S. government to do their job better and show how well they are doing. They will review their own progress every year. If things are not going well, they'll make a plan to improve. They also have to report on their work more clearly online, making it easier for everyone to see what's happening.

    To be more detailed, each group within the government has to set goals and check every year to see how close they are to reaching these goals. They will use data and other information to understand their progress and find out if they need more information to help them. If some parts of their work are not helping them achieve their goals as expected, they will figure out what changes are necessary. Any big risks or problems that might stop them from reaching their goals must be found and plans should be made to manage these risks.

    They also have to update a website with their progress, making sure it's easy to use and understand according to the latest web standards. They have to save and keep all the information they put online for a clear historical record.

    Every two or four years, depending on the goal, they need to report if they've achieved what they planned. Also, they need to update these goals with every new president, and the information related to these goals should be included when the government's budget is submitted.

    For every important goal, at least two lead officials will be responsible for coordinating all efforts to reach the goals, ensuring everyone involved is working together properly.

  21. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 46.
  22. Introduced in Senate

    This is a law aiming to make government work better and be more open about how well it is doing its job. Here are the key things it does:

    1. Reviewing Goals: Every year, government agencies will check how well they are doing in meeting their key goals. They'll talk about their progress and what might be stopping them from doing better.

    2. Sharing Information: The results of these reviews will be added to reports that tell people how the agencies are doing.

    3. Updating the Website: There will be changes to make sure a government website has up-to-date and easy-to-read information about these goals and the progress being made.

    4. Setting Priorities: Every four years, at the start of a new president's term, the government will update its main goals. These updates will be shared when the government's budget is released.

    5. Leadership: Two leaders will be responsible for each major government goal. One leader will be from the President's team and one from an agency that is working on the goal.

    This law tries to make sure government agencies are clear about what they're trying to achieve and keep everyone informed about how well they're doing.