Senator to Agencies: 'Stand Up and Fight'

Jason Miller of Federal News Radio passes on this nugget of wisdom from Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, at one of his last hearings:

"It just drives me crazy that more departments don't really stand up and start raising you know what when we don't give you resources you need to get the job done particularly in management. There seems to be a lack of appreciation in this body for management and the importance of having the right people, with the knowledge and skills at the right time, and having to give them the tools. I think you ought to stand up and fight and not get rolled. Make a big deal out of it. Get the president involved. If I'm going to get the job done I've got to have the tools to get that job done."

Inspiring words, to be sure, but managers may want to test this approach out on the Senate side first to see how it goes over. When the incoming chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee says the purpose of the hundreds of hearings his panel will hold will be to "measure failures," he may not be all that receptive to pleas for more resources.