Further, FACA was an attempt by Congress to curtail the rampant "locker-room discussion" that had become prevalent in administrative decisions.
An advisory committee meeting can be closed to the public if the president or an agency head determines that any of the 10 exemptions to the Sunshine Act apply (see below).
[citation needed] In March, 2012 the Government Accountability Office issued a report on FACA groups in DOT and DOE.
111-139 requires GAO to conduct routine investigations to identify programs, agencies, offices, and initiatives with duplicative goals and activities.
[6] FACA has drawn criticism as an unconstitutional infringement upon "long-recognized presidential powers" reserved to the President under Article II of the U.S. Constitution.
Critics maintain that FACA "violates separation of powers by limiting the terms on which the President can acquire information from nongovernmental advisory committees".