Advisory Committees Suspended, IWUB Meeting Postponed
The Department of Defense has temporarily suspended meetings of all federal advisory committees pending a 45-day review. The review includes the Inland Waterways Users Board. A March 7 memo to IWUB members from Paul Clouse, the designated federal officer for the committee, informed committee members, “Pursuant to the authority delegated to me by the secretary of defense, effective immediately, I am directing a 45-day review of all DoD advisory committees, including those that are not subject to chapter 10 of Title 5, United States Code (commonly known as ‘the Federal Advisory Committee Act’ or ‘FACA’). This review will ensure that the department’s advisory committee efforts align with our most pressing strategic priorities and the president’s goals.”
Clouse’s memo said, “During this review, DoD advisory committees will pause all operations and expenditure of funds, except for those federal advisory committees whose members are appointed by the president or Congress.”
The review materials will include “[a] single page describing how the DoD advisory committee’s advice and recommendations benefited the DoD, the federal government and the United States, and how it aligns with the president’s goals and my priorities of restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military and reestablishing deterrence.”
Current members are free to re-apply for the committees after the review period ends, but no timeframe was given for their reactivation.
In addition, travel expenses other than for essential operational requirements for military personnel are under review.
In a January 20 memo, Benjamine C. Huffman, who was acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security at the time, ordered the termination of current membership on all DHS advisory committees, including nine advisory committees working with the Coast Guard informing inspections, regulations and investigations of U.S. vessels, the credentialing licensing and training of mariners, Great Lakes pilotage and offshore minerals and energy operations.
The pause also affects panels involved in cybersecurity.
Huffman wrote that the decision is in line with the Department of Homeland Security’s “commitment to eliminating the misuse of resources and ensuring that DHS activities prioritize our national security.”
The review materials will include “[a] single page describing how the DoD advisory committee’s advice and recommendations benefited the DoD, the federal government and the United States, and how it aligns with the president’s goals and my priorities of restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military and reestablishing deterrence.”
This isn’t the first time the work of advisory committees has been paused. It’s especially likely to happen when a new administration from the opposing party takes office.
Advisory committee members are volunteers qualified by their industry expertise. They are unpaid, although their travel expenses can be reimbursed in some cases.
The American Waterways Operators, many of whose industry members serve on advisory committees, said it “is working to understand DHS’s anticipated next steps” for these committees and “is conveying to the new administration the value of advice offered by these panels in helping the Coast Guard make effective decisions on marine safety and security regulations.”
