CONGRESSIONAL RECORD -- SENATE

July 30, 1968

Page 24142

MORE EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Mr. MUSKIE. Mr. President, there is a growing national debate about the need to strengthen the Office of the President for more effective management of the executive branch of the Government. President Johnson took note of this recently when he announced that he would form a group of White House Fellows and experienced executives of this and former administrations to study the Presidency, "to see how we can improve it, how we can strengthen it."

Vice President HUMPHREY, in his address at Town Hall in Los Angeles on July 11, called for what he described as an "open Presidency," in which there would be a National Domestic Policy Council to help set priorities and integrate Federal domestic policies.

The former Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, John W. Gardner, now chairman of the Urban Coalition, has made some constructive observations and suggestions on this same subject.

In an interview with editors of the New York Times, published on July 17, he said the Federal Government cannot function much longer with its present organization of domestic agencies. He proposed that the President appoint an "executive officer" to direct a coordinating mechanism for more effective management of domestic programs.

There is a striking similarity between these proposals and the National Intergovernmental Affairs Council which would be authorized by S. 671, which I introduced last year with other Senators. The NIAC, established in the Executive Office and drawing directly on the authority of the President, would be responsible for identifying domestic needs and problems, coordinating Federal programs, and serving as a point of referral for the information and guidance of State and local governments in making use of available Federal aids.

I am most encouraged that this dialog on the institution of the Presidency is going forward, and that Mr. Gardner has made a most useful contribution to it.