A new commission would examine how to use data to evaluate the effectiveness of federal programs, under bi-partisan legislation introduced by lawmakers Nov. 20.

The Evidence-Based Policymaking Commission Act of 2014 would establish a 15-member commission to determine whether the federal government should establish a clearinghouse for program and survey data and who should be able to access it.

The legislation, introduced by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., the chairman of the senate Budget Committee, and Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wisc., the chairman of the House Budget Committee, would help coordinate data across federal programs and give researchers and federal agencies a better grasp of their effectiveness.

Murray said in a statement that taxpayers deserve a government that works for them and delivers results.

"I'm proud to have partnered with Chairman Ryan on this legislation, which would take an important step towards strengthening our understanding of how government investments, from programs to spending in our tax code, can better serve all Americans," Murray said.

The bill would authorize the commission to operate for 18 months and requires it to develop recommendations for increasing the availability and use of data and to weigh in on the creation of a data clearing house. Its recommendations are due 15 months after the commission is created.

The commission would be made up of members appointed by congressional leaders and the president, according to the bill, and would represent an array of disciplines such as economics, statistics and data security.

Ryan said the commission will allow agencies and researchers to use data to help make better policy.

"We want to change the focus in Washington," Ryan said. "Instead of putting the focus on effort, we want to put the focus on results.

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