The Hill News

In response to President Obama's announcement that he would consolidate a number of six trade and commerce agencies in the federal government, House Speaker John Boehner's (R-Ohio) office is asking whether it's just for show.

"Given the President’s record of growing government, we’re interested to learn whether this proposal represents actual relief for American businesses or just the appearance of it," Boehner press secretary Brendan Buck said in a statement on Friday. "American small businesses are more concerned about this administration’s policies than from which building in Washington they originate. 

"We hope the President isn't simply proposing new packaging for the same burdensome approach," Buck continued. "However, eliminating duplicative programs and making the federal government more simple, streamlined, and business-friendly is always an idea worth exploring.  We look forward to hearing more about his proposal."

Earli! er on Friday Obama announced that he would be making the government "leaner, smarter and more consumer-friendly" by asking Congress for power to combine six trade and commerce agencies. The mergers are intended to save money and streamline some redundancies in the federal government.

At a press conference on Friday where Obama formally announced his plan he said part of it would mean elevating the Small Business Administration to a cabinet level department. Another part of his proposal would combine six major business and trade organs of the federal government: the central business and trade operations in the Commerce DEpartment, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Small Business and the Trade and Development Agency! . In Obama's plan, those agencies would all be combined into o! ne.