Reorganization Act of 1977
Public Law 95-17 · S. 626 · 95th Congress · began in the Senate
Signed by Jimmy Carter (D) on Apr 6, 1977 · Government Operations and Politics
Sponsor: Sen. Abraham Ribicoff (D-CT)
Cosponsors (1): Sen. Howard Metzenbaum
Passage votes
- HouseMethod not stated
- SenateMethod not stated
Data notes
The final version of the law, as each chamber passed it. A chamber that passed it by voice vote or unanimous consent has no count. “Method not stated” means the record does not say how the chamber voted. Where the record has a member-by-member vote, the “Who voted for it” section shows who voted yea.
Summary
The Congressional Research Service’s plain-language summary of what the law does.
Reorganization Act - Permits the President to prepare and submit to Congress a plan to reorganize any Executive agency for the purpose of improving the functioning of the Executive branch. Requires such plan to itemize, so far as is practicable, estimates of any reduction or increase in expenditures called for by such plan and to describe any improvements in management, delivery of Federal services, execution of the laws, and increases in Government efficiency which are expected as a result of such reorganization. States that such plan may not provide for the abolition of existing agencies or the creation of new ones. States that no such plan shall take effect which is not submitted to Congress within three years after the enactment of this Act.
Makes a plan submitted pursuant to this Act effective at the end of 60 calendar days of continuous session of Congress after the date of submission of such plan unless disapproved by either House within such period. Sets forth procedures for consideration of any disapproval resolutions.
Committees
The committees the bill was sent to, and what each did with it.
Data notes
A committee links to its page only where it exists in the current Congress; older and renamed committees are named without a link.
Timeline
From introduction to signing, newest first: the committees, the floor and the president. 13 actions.
- Apr 6, 1977Became lawBecame law · Signed by President.
- PresidentPresident · Public law 95-17.
- Apr 4, 1977PresidentPresident · Measure presented to President.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in Senate.
- PresidentPresident · Measure enrolled in House.
- Mar 31, 1977Resolving differencesResolving differences · Senate agreed to House amendment.
- Mar 29, 1977FloorFloor · Measure passed House, amended, in lieu of H. R. 5045.
- Mar 4, 1977CommitteeCommittee · Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform Committee
- Mar 3, 1977FloorFloor · Measure passed Senate, amended, roll call #40 (94-0).Senate roll call 40
- FloorFloor · Measure called up by unanimous consent in Senate.
- Mar 1, 1977CommitteeCommittee · Reported by Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
- Feb 4, 1977CommitteeCommittee · Referred to Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee
- IntroducedIntroduced · Introduced in the Senate
Data notes
Shows the introduction, each committee and subcommittee step the source dates (referral, hearings, markup, report, discharge), and the floor, conference, presidential and became-law steps. Calendar placements, messages between the chambers, amendments and committee report numbers are not shown for laws before the 108th Congress. Two entries the source lists twice are shown once.
Official record
The bill’s full text and every action, including introduction and committee steps, are on Congress.gov. Data through Oct 7, 2026.