Obama proposes consolidation authority to merge government agencies, putting the onus on GOPers to show why they’d be against proposals that would result in a leaner and more streamlined federal government.

The President would require Congress to grant him the authority, and Congress would then have to approve the measure in an up/down vote.

For instance, the President is looking to consolidate six trade/commerce related agencies into one. That would result in a more efficient and streamlined process, so the GOP will have to either go along with the deal, or explain to constituents why they’re opposing such a move in an election year:

Obama’s first project would be to combine six major operations of the government that focus on business and trade.
They are: the Commerce Department’s core business and trade functions; the Small Business Administration; the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative; the Export-Import Bank; the Overseas Private Investment Corporation; and the Trade and Development Agency. The goal would be one agency designed to help businesses thrive.

The official said 1,000 to 2,000 jobs would be cut, but the administration would do so through attrition; that is, as people routinely leave their jobs over time.

The administration said the merger would save $3 billion over 10 years by getting rid of duplicative overhead costs, human resources divisions and programs.

I’d say that’s good politics and good policy from the Obama Administration. It’s a start and could go much further but bureaucracies (and their political patrons) are stubborn to any kind of change and become too entrenched in the way things are done.