via BBC News
President Barack Obama has thrown down the gauntlet to Republicans by asking Congress for the power to shrink the federal government.
He told business leaders that he wants to close the US commerce department and merge six agencies.
The White House said the plan would save $3bn (£2bn) over 10 years and cut 1,000 to 2,000 jobs through attrition.
The proposal is seen as an attempt to counter Republican criticisms that Mr Obama is a big-government liberal.
With November’s general election on the horizon, it is not clear whether congressional Republicans will grant Mr Obama’s request for such reorganisational powers.
The president said his proposal followed discussions with business and agency leaders over many months.
“No business or non-profit leader would allow this kind of duplication or unnecessary complexity in their operations,” he said.
“So why is it OK in our government? It’s not. It has to change.”
The six agencies that would be consolidated are the Department of Commerce, the Small Business Administration, the Office of the US Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, and the Trade and Development Agency.
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Article courtesy bbc.co.uk
