Obama seeks power to merge agencies, shrink government (Video)

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is asking Congress for fast-track authority to shrink the federal government, creating an election-year talking point even if House Republicans reject his request.

Obama’s plan _ to do away with the Department of Commerce and combine its core functions with five other agencies _ is designed to cut costs and make it easier for American businesses to deal with the government, administration officials said.

Under his blueprint, Commerce would be merged with the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office, the U.S. Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation and the Trade and Development Agency. The new, as-of-yet unnamed agency would have its own secretary, plus another Cabinet-level member from the trade office.

First, though, the president wants Congress to grant him the authority to expedite such an overhaul, as well as future ones. That means reorganization plans would be subject to a simple up-or-down vote, and couldn’t be amended. The authority expired during the term of President Ronald Reagan.

It’s hardly a given that Congress would grant Obama expedited authority. But simply proposing it gives Obama a proposal to talk up on the campaign trail, one that might be even more valuable if opposed by Republicans.

Republican leaders Friday expressed support for streamlining the government, noting their own efforts.

But they are wary of the details, and are concerned about proposals Obama might come up with down the road. Democrats are worried about what a Republican president might do with the power.

Downsizing the government is a hot topic among GOP presidential candidates, some of whom have vowed to eliminate agencies. With the issue bound to come up in the general election campaign, Obama is emphasizing his own efforts to reduce the bureaucracy.

“This is an area that should receive bipartisan support, because making our government more responsive and strategic and leaner _ it shouldn’t be a partisan issue,” Obama said Friday.

Republicans didn’t disagree, exactly.

“Given the president’s record of growing government, we’re interested to learn whether this proposal represents actual relief for American businesses or just the appearance of it,” said Brendan Buck, press secretary for House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio.

President Herbert Hoover first won the power to quickly streamline government, subject to a congressional veto. The Obama plan would tweak past practice by proposing that fast-tracking be allowed only when the changes would save taxpayers money. Congress would have 90 days to vote on the president’s reorganization plan.

“Congress has indicated that streamlining the federal government is exactly what they want to do, and this seems consistent with a lot of their goals,” said William P. Marshall, former deputy White House counsel under President Bill Clinton and now an expert on presidential powers at the University of North Carolina School of Law. “If there’s going to be an area where we’re going to see agreement across party lines, this would seem to be an appropriate place.”

The Obama plan, announced at the White House Friday, is likely to be included in the State of the Union address in a couple of weeks.

“With or without Congress, I’m going to keep at it,” the president said. “But it would be a lot easier if Congress helped.”

Speaking to a group of small business owners, Obama displayed a flow chart of the current trade- and business-related bureaucracy, whose lines of command resembled a bowl of jumbled spaghetti noodles.

“That’s just confusing,” said Max Kryzhanovskiy, a small business owner who attended. “We’ve never chosen to deal with government, partly because the process is insane.”

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

South County Fire plans push-in ceremony for newest fire engine

Anybody who attends will have the opportunity to help push the engine into the station.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Monroe Mayor Geoffrey Thomas talks to the crowd about the new "Imagine Monroe" city flag and symbol before the ribbon cutting on Monday, July 14, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Monroe unveils its new $17M City Hall and municipal court

Mayor Geoffrey Thomas showcased the new campus to residents, local and state officials during a celebration Monday.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

National Weather Service issues red flag warning for slopes of Cascades

High temperatures, low humidity and winds are combining for critical fire weather conditions, either “imminent or occurring now.”

Photo courtesy of Graphite Arts Center
Amelia DiGiano’s photography is part of the “Seeing Our Planet” exhibit, which opens Friday and runs through Aug. 9 at the Graphite Arts Center in Edmonds.
A&E Calendar for July 10

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

Lynnwood
Lynnwood child, 4, accidentally shoots mother, father arrested

The child retrieved a loaded firearm from his father, who was asleep at the time, South County deputies said.

Opponents of President Donald Trump’s executive order indefinitely halting refugee resettlement in the U.S. rally on the steps of the federal courthouse in Seattle on Feb. 25, 2025, after a judge issued a ruling blocking the president’s order. (Photo by Jake Goldstein-Street/Washington State Standard)
Refugees from travel ban countries must be allowed to enter US, Seattle judge rules

It’s the latest twist in the legal battle over President Trump’s attempt to block refugee resettlement.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.