Political Appointees

State Department’s top ranks need more career staff, senators say

Lawmakers look to promote a more merit-based system for top diplomats.

  • Eric Katz

OPM reminds agencies of burrowing rules ahead of election season

All proposed appointments to career competitive service or Senior Executive Service positions must be reviewed by the federal government’s dedicated HR agency.

  • Erich Wagner

Lawmakers look to ban foreign payments to senior feds

Top federal executives would not be able to "betray the public's trust" under Democratic bill.

  • Eric Katz

Watchdog agency to crack down on Hatch Act violators, including at the White House

An "escape hatch" for those improperly engaging in political activity will now close, Office of Special Counsel says.

  • Eric Katz

Shriver assumes acting OPM director role

The federal government’s dedicated HR agency will be led by its long time deputy director, following Director Kiran Ahuja’s resignation.

  • Erich Wagner

Biden’s FLRA nominees move closer to Senate confirmation

Senators appeared poised Wednesday to advance the nominations of aspiring leaders in labor-relations.

  • Erich Wagner

OPM Director will leave the Biden administration

Kiran Ahuja oversaw efforts to transform the federal government’s HR agency into a government-wide leader on human capital policy, issuing new policies governing interns, telework and civil service protections.

  • Erich Wagner

The Biden administration has far less turnover than Trump. Does that impact agency performance?

The stability of Biden's cabinet and sub-cabinet is a marked departure from his predecessor.

  • Eric Katz

Key federal workforce agencies get confirmed leaders

Biden finally has confirmed heads at the primary civil service enforcement agencies.

  • Eric Katz

OPM offers data guidance to help inform new federal executives website

The recent guidance details how agencies are to collect and report data to the HR agency’s new public-facing website detailing the names, roles and pay levels of thousands of federal executives.

  • Carten Cordell

Biden taps former cabinet secretary for USPS board

The appointment would assure the president's influence on the mailing agency's governing body.

  • Eric Katz

The Senate has too many appointees to confirm, and it's hurting agencies

There are too many layers of political officials requiring congressional approval, report finds.

  • Eric Katz
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EPA has a new plan to protect career scientists, but some are questioning its efficacy

Solutions to concerns over accountability and reporting mechanisms are coming soon, EPA official says.

  • Eric Katz

Senate panel advances watchdog, labor nominees

The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee favorably reported four nominees for adjudicative agencies recently hamstrung by vacancy-related case backlogs to the Senate floor for final consideration.

  • Erich Wagner

Biden nominates OSC deputy to join FLRA

Biden’s previous choice to fill the last spot on the Federal Labor Relations Authority quietly withdrew from consideration last fall.

  • Erich Wagner

You can now easily search through every executive in federal government

A modernized 'Plum Book' will provide more updated, accurate information on top agency officials.

  • Eric Katz

Acting Social Security chief highlights recent successes ahead of exit

Despite a series of challenges throughout her tenure, Acting Social Security Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi sought to tout advances made under her watch ahead of the installation of former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley following his confirmation Monday.

  • Erich Wagner

Martin O’Malley confirmed as Social Security commissioner

The Senate voted 50-11 Monday to confirm the former Maryland governor, officially ending a multi-year period where the agency struggled under acting leadership.

  • Erich Wagner

State Dept. employees praise Biden administration for encouraging dissent

The administration has faced some criticism for censoring employee speech related to the Israel-Gaza conflict, but staff say internal channels are open for disagreement.

  • Eric Katz

O’Malley’s bid to lead Social Security moves forward

The Senate Finance Committee voted Tuesday to advance O’Malley’s nomination to lead the Social Security Administration to the Senate floor for final consideration.

  • Erich Wagner

House punts effort to impeach Biden cabinet secretary

Some Republicans joined Democrats to postpone the exceedingly rare effort.

  • Eric Katz