The committee holds jurisdiction over the following areas:

(1) Overseeing all Federal civil service and intergovernmental personnel, including their compensation, classification, and retirement, which is the fourth largest entitlement program, and with reorganizations in the executive branch of government

(2) All matters relating to the criminal justice system, the nation's anti-narcotics programs, both foreign and domestic, and health, housing, education, and welfare

(3) All matters relating to the Nation's economic growth, competitiveness, and natural resources

(4) Regulatory reform and paperwork reduction measures

(5) The overall  economy, efficiency and  management of Government operations

(6) All matters relating to the financial management of Executive Branch departments and agencies, including governmental accounting measures

(7) All matters relating to intergovernmental relations

(8) All matters relating to the handling of government information, including information security, presidential records and the Freedom of Information Act

(9) All matters relating to national security, veterans affairs, and international relations, including anti-terrorism efforts, both foreign and domestic, and international trade

(9) All matters relating to information technology and Federal procurement policy and practices

BACKGROUND:

The Committee on Government Reform has been in existence in varying forms since 1816. It first appeared as the Committee on Expenditures in the Executive Departments, which was created in 1927 by consolidating the 11 Committees on Expenditures previously spread among the various departments of the government to oversee how taxpayer monies were spent.

The Committee's immediate predecessor, the Committee on Government Operations, was established in 1952. The name change was intended to communicate to the outside world the primary function of the committee, that being to study "the operations of Government activities at all levels with a view to determining their economy and efficiency." It is the Committee's government-wide oversight jurisdiction that sets it apart from other House committees.

On January 4, 1995, Republicans assumed control of the House of Representatives for the first time in over forty years. Republicans immediately implemented several internal reforms to the House, including one which applies all of the laws the rest of America lives under to Congress and another to downsize the congressional committee system. Perhaps more than any other committee, the Government Reform Committee embodies the changes taking place in the House of Representatives. The Committee's name was changed to highlight the Republican view that the federal government needs to be reformed to ensure accountability.

The Committee on Government Reform is unlike most other committees in that its jurisdiction has grown. Including the agenda of the former Committee on Government Operations, the Committee also has the responsibilities of the old Committee on Post Office and Civil Service and the Committee on the District of Columbia. The Committee has seven subcommittees responsible for the same jurisdiction previously covered by 3 committees and 14 subcommittees. This consolidation resulted in millions of dollars in budget savings and a nearly 50% cut in staff.

Public outrage at reports of ineffectiveness, waste, fraud and abuse in the use of public monies shows that investigation and oversight is one of the most important functions that a Congressional committee can perform. The Government Reform Committee serves as Congress' chief investigative and oversight committee of the Federal government. The Committee is granted broad jurisdiction because of the importance of effective, centralized oversight. Because it authorizes only a few small agencies and programs, it is therefore able to review government agencies and programs with an unbiased eye.

SUBCOMMITTEES:

Civil Service

Criminal Justice

District of Columbua

Energy Policy

Government Efficiency

National Security

Technology and Procurement

CURRENT TOPICS OF LEGISLATION:

Homeland Security

http://www.house.gov/reform/homelandsecurity.htm

United States Citizens held in Saudi Arabia

http://www.house.gov/reform/saudiarabia.htm

F.B.I. Corruption in New England 

http://www.house.gov/reform/boston.htm

Clemency Lobbying Disclosure

http://www.house.gov/reform/h.r.5131.htm

Sustaining Military Training Ranges

http://www.house.gov/reform/miltraining.htm

Healthcare Issues

http://www.house.gov/reform/healthcare.htm

Holocaust Victim Restitution

http://www.house.gov/reform/holocaust.htm

CURRENT MEMBERS:

Republicans

Dan Burton, IN, Chairman

Benjamin A. Gilman, NY

Constance A. Morella, MD

Christopher Shays, CT

Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, FL

John M. McHugh, NY

Stephen Horn, CA

John L. Mica, FL

Thomas M. Davis III, VA

Mark E. Souder, IN

Steven C. LaTourette, OH

Bob Barr, GA

Dan Miller, FL

Doug Ose, CA

Ron Lewis, KY

Jo Ann Davis, VA

Todd Russell Platts, PA

Dave Weldon, FL

Chris Cannon, UT

Adam Putnam, FL

Butch Otter, ID

Ed Schrock, VA

John Duncan, TN

John Sullivan, OK

Democrats

Henry A. Waxman, CA, Ranking

Tom Lantos, CA

Major R. Owens, NY

Edolphus Towns, NY

Paul E. Kanjorski, PA

Patsy T. Mink, HI

Carolyn B. Maloney, NY

Eleanor Holmes Norton, DC

Elijah E. Cummings, MD

Dennis J. Kucinich, OH

Rod R. Blagojevich, IL

Danny K. Davis, IL

John F. Tierney, MA

Jim Turner, TX

Thomas H. Allen, ME

Janice D. Schakowsky, IL

Wm. Lacy Clay, MO

Diane E. Watson, CA

Stephen F. Lynch

Independent

Bernard Sanders, VT