The White House on Tuesday expressed confidence it can continue to move forward unilaterally on key provisions of its efforts to reorganize federal agencies, thanks in part to an agreement tucked into the recent budget deal.
The Trump administration has made significant progress in implementing its proposals to reorganize government, Office of Management and Budget Deputy Director for Management Margaret Weichert told reporters, though she conceded many of those reforms are still in the preliminary or planning phases. She expects more progress going forward, and she does not anticipate that Congress will block agencies from instituting changes in forthcoming appropriations bills for fiscal 2020.
The White House unveiled 32 reorganization proposals in June 2018, most of which remain largely unimplemented. Lawmakers from both parties have pushed back on key elements of the plan and the administration has repeatedly faced criticism for failing to provide details and justifications for the reforms. The original implementation memorandum calling for reorganization proposals from agencies also requested plans to slash their workforces, but the administration has since wavered on whether that is still a priority.
The administration previously told Congress it was still reviewing exactly what will require legislation and what it can accomplish on its own, but estimated there are 10 to12 proposals that the White House could institute without legislation. Congress has taken some steps to prevent any unilateral reorganization activity, and has failed to move legislation that would authorize expedited approval of reform efforts.
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