Federal Sunset Act of 2019

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Jan 3, 2019

Federal Sunset Act of 2019

This bill abolishes a federal agency one year after it is reviewed by the Federal Agency Sunset Commission, established by the bill, unless the agency is reauthorized by Congress. Each agency, including each advisory committee, must be reviewed by the commission at least once every 12 years.

The commission must (1) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria, (2) recommend whether each agency should be abolished or reorganized, and (3) report to Congress on introduced legislation that would establish a new agency or a new program. The commission shall terminate at the end of 2037.

The Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Congressional Research Service, shall prepare an inventory of federal programs to assist Congress and the commission in carrying out this bill.

Read the summary on Congress.gov

PlainBill analysis is coming later. This page presents official source data. We have not yet published a PlainBill explanation for this bill.

People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Hudson, Richard [R-NC-8] · R–NC

Committees

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

0 cosponsorship records, including any withdrawals

Legislative record

Actions

A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.

Jan 3, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Jan 3, 2019
Introduced in House
Jan 3, 2019
Introduced in House

Primary sources

Bill text & related measures

Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.

Introduced in House · Jan 3, 2019 Formatted Text PDF Formatted XML

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

Source last updated: Feb 4, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

AI Conversation Starters

Explore the bill from different angles

Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.

Neutral evidence review

Objective

Analyze H.R.39 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.39, 116th Congress: Federal Sunset Act of 2019

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/39

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-01-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr39/BILLS-116hr39ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-02-04T16:54:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Analyze H.R.39 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.

Fairness and public impact

Progressive lens

Examine H.R.39 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.39, 116th Congress: Federal Sunset Act of 2019

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/39

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-01-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr39/BILLS-116hr39ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-02-04T16:54:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.39 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.

Institutions and government scope

Conservative lens

Examine H.R.39 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.39, 116th Congress: Federal Sunset Act of 2019

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/39

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-01-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr39/BILLS-116hr39ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-02-04T16:54:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.39 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.

Individual rights and government power

Liberty lens

Examine H.R.39 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.

View full prompt & sources

Discuss H.R.39, 116th Congress: Federal Sunset Act of 2019

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/39

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2019-01-03.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/116/bills/hr39/BILLS-116hr39ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-02-04T16:54:13Z. Verify current status and distinguish any later version from the version above.

Read the official text before answering. If you cannot access it, say so and ask me to provide it; do not assume a link means you have read the document. Distinguish proposals from enacted law, cite sources, and separate facts, interpretation, and uncertain predictions. Include counterarguments even when using a particular perspective.

Examine H.R.39 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.