Workplace, Federal Building, Disaster Relief Legislation from Senate Government Affairs Committee signed into law
Bipartisan lawmakers are celebrating the signing of federal workforce and workplace measures into law last week. On Tuesday, President Joseph Biden signed three bills into law that advanced through the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee earlier this Congress.
Customer Service Legislation Advances Through Senate Committee
The Federal Agency Customer Experience (FACE) Act recently advanced through the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The bill now faces a full Senate vote before moving forward to the House of Representatives for consideration.
Partnership for Public Service Calls for Reduction in Number of Senate-Confirmed Appointees, Highlights Trends in Senate Confirmation Process
An August 9, 2021 report from the Partnership for Public Service argues that Senate confirmations of political appointees to fill vacancies are a slow and time-consuming process and many positions should not require Senate confirmation at all.
Senate Homeland Security Committee Advances Cybersecurity, Supply Chain Bills
The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs held a business meeting last week to advance several legislative items collectively intended to bolster cybersecurity in the U.S. and promote supply chain modernization.
Appropriations Update: Senate Begins Funding Bill Markups, Security Supplemental Signed into Law
The U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations has begun markups on funding bills for the federal government. Additionally, a bipartisan security supplemental bill was signed into law last week.
Senate Majority Leader Plans Preliminary Vote on Infrastructure Package
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) plans to hold a preliminary vote on the $579 billion bipartisan infrastructure framework and move forward on a separate $3.5 trillion tax and spending proposal as soon as Wednesday of this week.
Lawmakers Aim to Improve Technology Security with Supply Chain Training
Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ron Johnson (R-WI) have introduced legislation aimed at protecting against cyber threats and supply chain vulnerabilities through standardized training programs. The Supply Chain Security Training Act would create a standard training program for federal employees responsible for purchasing services and equipment.
Top Republican on Senate Banking Committee Seeks Probe Into Potential Civil Service Violations by Biden Administration
Senator Pat Toomey (R-PA), Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, is seeking a probe into potential civil service violations being committed by the Biden administration, specifically at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Appropriations Update: Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Predicts Continuing Resolutions, Democrats Propose Spending Ceiling
House Democrats proposed a resolution that would allow for $1.5 trillion in discretionary funding for FY 2022. Meanwhile, Republican Senate Appropriations Committee Vice Chair Richard Shelby (R-AL) has predicted stopgap measures will be necessary to avert a shutdown while negotiations continue.
Lawmakers introduce TIPS Act to Promote Communication Between Federal Government and Citizens
Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) recently introduced the Trust in Public Service (TIPS) Act, which would aim to increase citizen trust in the federal government by ensuring all interactions between the public and agencies are effective, easy, and positive.
Postal Service Reform Act Could Raise Health Insurance Premiums for Federal Workforce
The Postal Service Reform Act of 2021, introduced in the House by House Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and Ranking Member James Comer (R-KY), could raise health insurance costs for both employees and retirees in the federal workforce. A Senate companion bill was also introduced by Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Gary Peters (D-MI) and Ranking Member Rob Portman (R-OH).
OPM Director Nominee Faces Senate Hearing
On April 22, 2021, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs held a nominations hearing for Kiran Ahuja, President Biden’s pick to lead the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).
3.2% Federal Pay Raise Bill Introduced in Senate
Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) formally introduced the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act, which would provide federal workers with a 2.2 percent across-the-board pay increase next year, along with an average 1 percent increase in locality pay. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) introduced companion legislation in the House in January.
House Democrats Attempt to Bring Back Congressional Earmarks
House Democrats have moved to restart the use of earmarks in an effort to prevent Congressional gridlock and pass legislation more effectively. This move would alter how Congress allocates $1.4 trillion in discretionary funding. Earmarks allow members of Congress to itemize funds in appropriations packages for specific programs and projects in their district. Earmarks have been banned since 2011.
Democrats Propose 3.2% Pay Raise for Feds
Democrats in both the House and Senate are pushing for a 3.2 percent pay raise for federal employees in 2022. The Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act, introduced by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), would give all federal employees a 2.2 percent pay increase and an average 1 percent increase in locality pay.
Biden Nominees Begin Senate Confirmation Hearings
President-elect Joe Biden is nominating new people to his cabinet as he prepares to serve as the next President of the United States. The Senate has five hearings for key officials on January 19th. The nominations are: Retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin to serve as Secretary of Defense, Janet Yellen to serve as Secretary of the Treasury, Alejandro Mayorkas to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, Antony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State, and Avril Haines to serve as Director of National Intelligence.
An Overview of the 117th Congress
The 117th Congress was sworn in on Sunday, starting a new chapter in Congressional history. The 117th Congress is the most diverse in U.S. history, with a record number of women, racial minorities, and members of the LGBTQ community. This Congress also includes a record number of Republican women.
Bill to Stop Doxing of Government Workers Introduced in Senate
The Public Servant Protection Act is a bill designed to protect government workers, officials, and appointees from being targeted at their homes. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR), along with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and five Republican colleagues, introduced the legislative proposal earlier this month.