Orrin Hatch: What we really need is an anti-appropriations committee

“This is a huge step forward,” said Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform and a key backer of the proposal. “Hatch has a history of being able to get Democrats. Udall – this is the kind of thing that could make his career as a moderate.”

The committee itself would consist of six Republicans and six Democrats. At least once a year, the committee would introduce legislation to reduce or eliminate duplicative or wasteful programs that would receive an up-or-down vote under the “reconciliation” rules that prevent a filibuster.

Crucially, the committee would also have subpoena power to investigate potentially wasteful government programs.