Program Reform Commission Act

Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.

Congressional Research Service

Official summary

Version 00 · Introduced in House · Feb 17, 2005

Program Reform Commission Act - Establishes an independent Program Reform Commission to: (1) identify unnecessary Federal programs; (2) review such programs; (3) conduct public hearings on agency recommendations regarding unnecessary programs; and (4) report to Congress recommendations for termination, modification, or retention of each program reviewed. Requires each Federal agency to include in budget documents submitted in FY 2007 a list of programs within that agency that are unnecessary, together with recommendations for appropriate action.

Expresses the sense of Congress that, following submission of the Commission's report, the House of Representatives and the Senate should promptly consider legislation that would enact changes in Federal statutes necessary to implement the Commission's recommendations.

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People & committees

Who introduced it

Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9] · D–WA

Committees

Oversight and Government Reform Committee

9 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.

Feb 17, 2005
Referred to the House Committee on Government Reform.
Feb 17, 2005
Introduced in House
Feb 17, 2005
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 · Feb 17, 2005 Formatted Text PDF

Related bills identified by Congress.gov

No related bills are listed in this snapshot. This does not establish whether the proposal has appeared in earlier Congresses.

Source last updated: Aug 15, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.

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Objective

Analyze H.R.973 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.

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Discuss H.R.973, 109th Congress: Program Reform Commission Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/973

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-02-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr973/BILLS-109hr973ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T18:01:25Z. 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.973 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.973 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.

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Discuss H.R.973, 109th Congress: Program Reform Commission Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/973

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-02-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr973/BILLS-109hr973ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T18:01:25Z. 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.973 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.973 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.

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Discuss H.R.973, 109th Congress: Program Reform Commission Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/973

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-02-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr973/BILLS-109hr973ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T18:01:25Z. 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.973 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.973 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.973, 109th Congress: Program Reform Commission Act

Official record: https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/973

Text version to examine: Introduced in House · 2005-02-17.

Official full text: https://www.congress.gov/109/bills/hr973/BILLS-109hr973ih.htm

Imported record last updated by the source: 2025-08-15T18:01:25Z. 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.973 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.