blue-ribbon commission

Definition

A panel of distinguished experts assembled to study a problem everyone already understands, providing political cover for inaction. The commission's report will be thorough, thoughtful, and completely ignored once the news cycle moves on.

Example Usage

Facing pressure to act on police reform, the governor appointed a blue-ribbon commission to study the issue for 18 months, effectively killing momentum for immediate change.

Origin

From the blue ribbon awarded to first-place winners at competitions and fairs since the 1600s, adopted for prestigious panels

Fun Fact

The 9/11 Commission Report was a rare blue-ribbon commission that actually got read, though implementing its recommendations is another story entirely.

Source: Government administration terminology

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