The Private Sector Survey on Cost Control (PSSCC), commonly referred to as the Grace Commission, was an investigation requested by President Ronald Reagan, authorized in Executive Order 12369 on June 30, 1982. The survey’s focus was on eliminating waste and inefficiency in the United States federal government. Reagan asked the members of that commission to “Be bold. We want your team to work like tireless bloodhounds. Don’t leave any stone unturned in your search to root out inefficiency.”

Significance:

• President Reagan used the “Drain the swamp” phrase.
• Businessman J. Peter Grace chaired the commission.
• Recommendations were largely ignored by Congress
• Report claimed $424 billion could be saved in three years if recommendations followed
• 2478 page report comprised of 36 Task Force Reports, and 11 Special Reports
• Summary denoted “Resistance to additional income taxes would be even more widespread if people were aware that” ominous statements followed