The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) Brochure U.S. General
Services Administration Office of Governmentwide Policy
Committee Management Secretariat Washington, DC 20417 Advisory
committees have played an important role in shaping programs and
policies of the federal government from the earliest days of the
Republic. Since President George Washington sought the advice of
such a committee during the Whiskey Rebellion of 1794, the
contributions made by these groups have been impressive and
diverse. Today, an average of 1,000 advisory committees with
more than 60,000 members advise the President and the Executive
Branch on such issues as the disposal of high-level nuclear
waste, the depletion of atmospheric ozone, the national fight
against Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), efforts to
rid the Nation of illegal drugs, to improve schools, highways,
and housing, and on other major programs. Through enactment of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (Public Law
92-463), the U.S. Congress fo