Professor David C. Vladeck ·
83 Geo. Wash. L. Rev. 1689 ·
This Article traces the successful resurrection of the Administrative Conference
of the United States (“ACUS”), a federal agency uniquely dedicated to
improving the efficiency and fairness of administrative agencies to better serve
the American public. The Article begins by recounting ACUS’s history of
accomplishment, from the time it opened its doors in 1968 to 1995, when Congress
took the ill-advised step of shutting ACUS down. The Article then describes
ACUS’s improbable resurrection, suggesting that, as a result of the
diligence of ACUS’s supporters, Congress was persuaded that no other institution,
governmental or private, could fill the void left by ACUS’s abolition.
Finally, the Article salutes ACUS’s reconstitution and points to two of
ACUS’s recent reports and recommendations to show how much a difference
a small agency dedicated to the mission of improving the administrative state
can make.
