OMB has asked agencies to provide input on legislation under consideration in light of delays and operational challenges imposed by sequestration.
OMB issued a memo reiterating this formal legislative coordination and clearance process that allows for review and clearance of legislative proposals, testimony, and statements on bills progressing through Congress. (All bills that Executive agencies wish to transmit to the Congress are sent to OMB for clearance and OMB circulates the bills to other affected agencies and appropriate EOP staff.)
The clearance function assumes bills and position statements submitted to Congress take into account input from all affected agencies, supports coordinated review of proposals and is designed to provide Congress with coordinated Executive branch views on legislation under consideration, according to the memo.
It asks that Executive agencies and offices have draft materials submitted to it for clearance as far in advance as is feasible.
Enhanced levels of communication and cooperation between agencies and OMB, including with respect to materials that agencies are developing and will be submitting, will further support efforts to facilitate the process, the memo said.
