Most commented sections:

• Paragraph 1 (4 comments)
• Paragraph 57 (1 comments)

S 679 ISCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

112th CONGRESSCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

1st SessionCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

S. 679CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To reduce the number of executive positions subject to Senate confirmation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATESCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

March 30, 2011CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Mr. SCHUMER (for himself, Mr. ALEXANDER, Mr. REID, Mr. MCCONNELL, Mr. LIEBERMAN, Ms. COLLINS, Mr. BROWN of Massachusetts, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mr. BLUMENTHAL, Mr. DURBIN, Mr. JOHANNS, Mr. LUGAR, Mr. REED, Mr. WHITEHOUSE, Mr. CARPER, and Mr. KYL) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental AffairsCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

A BILLCommentsClose CommentsPermalink

To reduce the number of executive positions subject to Senate confirmation.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ‘Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 2. PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENTS NOT SUBJECT TO SENATE APPROVAL.

(a) Agriculture-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR CONGRESSIONAL RELATIONS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE FOR ADMINISTRATION- Section 218(b) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6918(b)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘subsection (a)’ and inserting ‘subsection (a)(3)’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking subsection (c); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) RURAL UTILITIES SERVICE ADMINISTRATOR- Section 232(b)(1) of the Department of Agriculture Reorganization Act of 1994 (7 U.S.C. 6942(b)(1)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking paragraph (2); andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (2).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) COMMODITY CREDIT CORPORATION- Section 9(a) of the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act (15 U.S.C. 714g(a)) is amended in the third sentence by striking ‘by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Commerce-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS- The provisions of the Act entitled ‘An Act to provide for the appointment of one additional Assistant Secretary of Commerce, and for other purposes’, approved July 15, 1947 (15 U.S.C. 1505), section 304 of title III of the Departments of State, Justice, and Commerce and the United States Information Agency Appropriation Act, 1955 (15 U.S.C. 1506), and the Act entitled ‘An Act to authorize an additional Assistant Secretary of Commerce’, approved February 16, 1962 (15 U.S.C. 1507), that require the advice and consent of the Senate shall not apply with respect to the appointment of the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CHIEF SCIENTIST; NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION- Section 2(d) of Reorganization Plan No. 4 of 1970 (5 U.S.C. App. 1) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION- Section 103(a)(2) of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Organization Act (47 U.S.C. 902(a)(2)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Department of Defense-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARIES OF DEFENSE FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, PUBLIC AFFAIRS, AND NETWORKS AND INFORMATION INTEGRATION- Section 138(a)(2) of title 10, United States Code, as amended by section 901(b)(4)(A) of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, is further amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Assistant Secretaries of Defense shall be appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The Assistant Secretary of Defense referred to in subsection (b)(5), the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, and the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration shall each be appointed from civilian life by the President.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT- Section 3016(a) of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by inserting ‘(1)’ after ‘(a)’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking the second sentence; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Assistant Secretaries of the Army shall be appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The Assistant Secretary of the Army specified in subsection (b)(4) shall be appointed from civilian life by the President.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT- Section 5016(a) of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by inserting ‘(1)’ after ‘(a)’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking the second sentence; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Assistant Secretaries of the Navy shall be appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The Assistant Secretary of the Navy specified in subsection (b)(3) shall be appointed from civilian life by the President.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE FOR FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT- Section 8016(a) of such title is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by inserting ‘(1)’ after ‘(a)’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking the second sentence; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) by adding at the end the following new paragraph:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B), the Assistant Secretaries of the Air Force shall be appointed from civilian life by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The Assistant Secretary of the Air Force specified in subsection (b)(3) shall be appointed from civilian life by the President.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) MEMBERS OF NATIONAL SECURITY EDUCATION BOARD- Section 803(b)(7) of the David L. Boren National Security Education Act of 1991 (50 U.S.C. 1903(b)(7)) is amended by striking ‘by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Department of Education-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR LEGISLATION AND CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS AND ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT- Section 202(e) of the Department of Education Organization Act (20 U.S.C. 3412(e)) is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: ‘Notwithstanding the previous sentence, the appointments of individuals to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs and the Assistant Secretary for Management shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) COMMISSIONER, REHABILITATION SERVICES ADMINISTRATION- Section 3(a) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 702(a)) is amended by striking ‘by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) COMMISSIONER, EDUCATION STATISTICS- Section 117(b) of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9517(b)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Department of Energy- Section 203(a) of the Department of Energy Organization Act (42 U.S.C. 7133(a)) is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘Senate;’ and inserting ‘Senate (except that the Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs of the Department may be appointed by the President without the advice and consent of the Senate);’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Department of Health and Human Services-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the appointment of an individual to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs within the Department of Health and Human Services shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR LEGISLATION- Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the appointment of an individual to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Legislation within the Department of Health and Human Services shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) COMMISSIONER, ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES- Section 915(b)(2) of the Claude Pepper Young Americans Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12311(b)(2)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) COMMISSIONER, ADMINISTRATION FOR NATIVE AMERICANS- Section 803B(c) of the Native American Programs Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 2991b-2(c)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Department of Homeland Security-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE FOR DOMESTIC PREPAREDNESS; ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AGENCY, GRANT PROGRAMS- Section 430(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 238(b)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ADMINISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES FIRE ADMINISTRATION- Section 5(b) of the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 (15 U.S.C. 2204(b)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE OF COUNTERNARCOTICS ENFORCEMENT- Section 878(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 458(a)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER- Section 516(a) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 321e(a)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(h) Housing and Urban Development; Chief Human Capital Officer, Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, and Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs- Section 4(a) of the Department of Housing and Urban Development Act (42 U.S.C. 3533(a)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by inserting ‘(1)’ after ‘(a)’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by striking ‘eight’ and inserting ‘5’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) There shall be in the Department a Chief Human Capital Officer, an Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, and an Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, each of whom shall be appointed by the President and shall perform such functions, powers, and duties as the Secretary shall prescribe from time to time.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) Department of Justice-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL, LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- Chapter 31 of title 28, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) in section 506, by striking ‘11 Assistant Attorneys General’ and inserting ‘10 Assistant Attorneys General’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by inserting after section 507A the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

‘Sec. 507B. Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs

‘The President shall appoint an Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs to assist the Attorney General in the performance of the duties of the Attorney General.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENT- The table of sections for chapter 31 of title 28, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 507A the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘507B. Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF JUSTICE STATISTICS- Section 302(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3732(b)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) DIRECTOR, BUREAU OF JUSTICE ASSISTANCE- Section 401(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3741(b)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) DIRECTOR, NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE- Section 202(b) of title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3722(b)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) ADMINISTRATOR, OFFICE OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND DELINQUENCY PREVENTION- Section 201(b) of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5611(b)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(6) DIRECTOR, OFFICE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME- Section 1411(b) of the Victims of Crime Act of 1984 (42 U.S.C. 10605(b)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(j) Department of Labor-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARIES FOR ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT, CONGRESSIONAL AFFAIRS, AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS- Notwithstanding section 2 of the Act of April 17, 1946 (29 U.S.C. 553), the appointment of individuals to serve as the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management, the Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs, and the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs within the Department of Labor, shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DIRECTOR OF THE WOMEN’S BUREAU- Section 2 of the Act of June 5, 1920 (29 U.S.C. 12) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(k) Department of State; Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, and Assistant Secretary for Administration- Section 1(c)(1) of the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a(c)(1)) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘, each of whom shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) by adding at the end the following: ‘Each Assistant Secretary of State shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, except that the appointments of the Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, and the Assistant Secretary for Administration shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(l) Department of Transportation-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARIES- Section 102(e) of title 49, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘(e) THE DEPARTMENT’ and all that follows through ‘An Assistant Secretary’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(e) Assistant Secretaries; General Counsel-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) APPOINTMENT- The Department has 5 Assistant Secretaries and a General Counsel, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) an Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs and an Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy, who shall each be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) an Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer and an Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs, who shall each be appointed by the President;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) an Assistant Secretary for Administration, who shall be appointed in the competitive service by the Secretary, with the approval of the President; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) a General Counsel, who shall be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) DUTIES AND POWERS- The officers set forth in paragraph (1) shall carry out duties and powers prescribed by the Secretary. An Assistant Secretary’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR, FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION- Section 106 of title 49, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) in subsection (b), by striking ‘. The Administration has a Deputy Administrator. They are appointed’ and inserting ‘, who shall be appointed’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subsection (d)(1), by striking ‘The Deputy Administrator must’ and inserting ‘The Administration has a Deputy Administrator, who shall be appointed by the President. In making an appointment, the President shall consider the fitness of the appointee to efficiently carry out the duties and powers of the office. The Deputy Administrator shall’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(m) Department of Treasury-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS- Section 301(e) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) striking ‘10 Assistant Secretaries’ and inserting ‘9 Assistant Secretaries’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting after the first sentence the following new sentence: ‘The Department shall have 1 Assistant Secretary not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate who shall be the Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND DIRECTOR OF POLICY PLANNING- Section 301(e) of title 31, United States Code, as amended by paragraph (1), is amended by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) striking ‘9 Assistant Secretaries’ in the first sentence and inserting ‘8 Assistant Secretaries’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in the second sentence--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking ‘1 Assistant Secretary’ and inserting ‘2 Assistant Secretaries’, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by inserting ‘and the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs’ before the period at the end.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) ASSISTANT SECRETARY FOR MANAGEMENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER- Section 301(e) of title 31, United States Code, as amended by paragraphs (1) and (2), is amended by--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) striking ‘8 Assistant Secretaries’ in the first sentence and inserting ‘7 Assistant Secretaries’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in the second sentence--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) by striking ‘2 Assistant Secretary’ and inserting ‘3 Assistant Secretaries’, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) by striking ‘and the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs’ and inserting ‘, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, and the Assistant Secretary for Management, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Performance Officer’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(4) TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES- Section 301(d) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘2 Deputy Under Secretaries, and a Treasurer of the United States’ and inserting ‘and 2 Deputy Under Secretaries’, andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting ‘and a Treasurer of the United States appointed by the President’ after ‘Fiscal Assistant Secretary appointed by the Secretary’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(5) DIRECTOR OF THE MINT- Section 304(b)(1) of title 31, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by striking ‘On removal, the President shall send a message to the Senate giving the reasons for removal.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(n) Department of Veterans Affairs- Section 308(a) of title 38, United States Code, is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) by striking ‘There shall’ and inserting ‘(1) There shall’;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in paragraph (1), as designated by paragraph (1) of this subsection, by striking ‘Each Assistant’ and all that follows through the period at the end; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) Except as provided in paragraph (3), each Assistant Secretary appointed under paragraph (1) shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) The following Assistant Secretaries may be appointed without the advice and consent of the Senate:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) The Assistant Secretary for Management.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) The Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) The Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(D) The Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(E) The Assistant Secretary for Information and Technology.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(o) Appalachian Regional Commission; Alternate Federal Co-Chairman- Section 14301(b)(1) of title 40, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(p) Council of Economic Advisers, Members- Section 10 of the Employment Act of 1946 (15 U.S.C. 1023) is amended by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(a) Creation; Composition; Qualifications; Chairman and Vice Chairman-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) CREATION- There is created in the Executive Office of the President a Council of Economic Advisers (hereinafter called the ‘Council’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) COMPOSITION- The Council shall be composed of three members, of whom--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) 1 shall be the chairman who shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) 2 shall be appointed by the President.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(3) QUALIFICATIONS- Each member shall be a person who, as a result of his training, experience, and attainments, is exceptionally qualified to analyze and interpret economic developments, to appraise programs and activities of the Government in the light of the policy declared in section 2, and to formulate and recommend national economic policy to promote full employment, production, and purchasing power under free competitive enterprise.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(4) VICE CHAIRMAN- The President shall designate 1 of the members of the Council as vice chairman, who shall act as chairman in the absence of the chairman.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(q) Corporation for National and Community Service; Managing Director- Section 194(a)(1) of the National and Community Service Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12651d(a)(1)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(r) National Council on Disability Members, Including Chairperson- Section 400(a)(1)(A) of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 780(a)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(s) National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities; National Museum and Library Services Board; Members- Section 207(b)(1)(D) of the Museum and Library Services Act (20 U.S.C. 9105a(b)(1)(D)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(t) National Science Foundation; Board Members- Section 4(a) of the National Science Foundation Act of 1950 (42 U.S.C. 1863(a)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(u) Office of Management and Budget; Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management- Section 504(b) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(v) Office of National Drug Control Policy; Deputy Directors- Section 704(a)(1) of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 1998 (21 U.S.C. 1703(a)(1)) is amended to read as follows:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) IN GENERAL-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) DIRECTOR- The Director shall be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and shall serve at the pleasure of the President.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) DEPUTY DIRECTORS- The Deputy Director of National Drug Control Policy, Deputy Director for Demand Reduction, the Deputy Director for Supply Reduction, and the Deputy Director for State and Local Affairs shall each be appointed by the President and serve at the pleasure of the President.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(C) DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR DEMAND REDUCTION- In appointing the Deputy Director for Demand Reduction under this paragraph, the President shall take into consideration the scientific, educational, or professional background of the individual, and whether the individual has experience in the fields of substance abuse prevention, education, or treatment.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(w) Office of Navajo and Hopi Relocation; Commissioner- Section 12(b)(1) of Public Law 93-531 (25 U.S.C. 640d-11(b)(1)) is amended by striking ‘by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(x) Office of Science and Technology Policy; Associate Directors- Section 203 of the National Science and Technology Policy, Organization, and Priorities Act of 1976 (42 U.S.C. 6612) is amended in the second sentence by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(y) United States Agency for International Development-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR LEGISLATIVE AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS- Notwithstanding section 624(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2384(a)), the appointment by the President of the Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Public Affairs at the United States Agency for International Development shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR FOR MANAGEMENT- Notwithstanding section 624(a) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2384(a)), the appointment by the President of the Assistant Administrator for Management at the United States Agency for International Development shall not be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(z) Community Development Financial Institution Fund; Administrator- Section 104(b)(1) of the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 (12 U.S.C. 4703(b)(1)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(aa) Department of Transportation; St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; Administrator- Subsection (a) of section 2 of the Act of May 13, 1954, referred to as the Saint Lawrence Seaway Act (33 U.S.C. 982(a)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(bb) Mississippi River Commission; Commissioner- Section 2 of the Act of June 28, 1879 (33 U.S.C. 642), is amended in the first sentence by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(cc) Governor and Alternate Governor of the African Development Bank-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Section 1333(a) of the African Development Bank Act (22 U.S.C. 290i-1(a)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with’ and all that follows through ‘Bank’ and inserting ‘shall appoint a Governor and an Alternate Governor’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONFORMING AMENDMENTS- Section 1334 of such Act (22 U.S.C. 290i-2) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘The Director or Alternate Director’ and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(b) The Director or Alternate Director’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) by inserting before subsection (b), as redesignated, the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(a) The President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a Director of the Bank.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(dd) Governor and Alternate Governor of the Asian Development Bank- Section 3(a) of the Asian Development Bank Act (22 U.S.C. 285a(a)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with’ and all that follows through the end period and inserting ‘shall appoint--’CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(1) a Governor of the Bank and an alternate for the Governor; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(2) by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, a Director of the Bank.’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ee) Governors and Alternate Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development- Section 3 of the Bretton Woods Agreements Act (22 U.S.C. 286a) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint a governor of the Fund who shall also serve as governor of the Bank, and an executive director’ and inserting ‘shall appoint a governor of the Fund who shall also serve as governor of the Bank and, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, an executive director’; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) in subsection (b), by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’ the first place it appears.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ff) Governor and Alternate Governor of the African Development Fund- Section 203(a) of the African Development Fund Act (22 U.S.C. 290g-1(a)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(gg) National Board for Education Sciences; Members- Section 116(c)(1) of the Education Sciences Reform Act of 2002 (20 U.S.C. 9516(c)(1)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(hh) National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board; Members- Section 242(e)(1)(A) of the Adult Education and Family Literacy Act (20 U.S.C. 9252(e)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ‘with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development; Member, Board of Trustees- Section 1505 of the American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian Culture and Art Development Act (20 U.S.C. 4412(a)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ‘by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(jj) Federal Coordinator for Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Projects- Section 106(b)(1) of the Alaska Natural Gas Pipeline Act (division C of Public Law 108-324; 15 U.S.C. 720d(b)(1)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate,’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(kk) Public Health Service Commissioned Officer Corps-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) APPOINTMENT- Section 203(a)(3) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 204(a)(3)) is amended by striking ‘with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) PROMOTIONS- Section 210(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 211(a)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ll) National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS TO PERMANENT GRADES- Section 226 of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps Act of 2002 (33 U.S.C. 3026) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) POSITIONS OF IMPORTANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY- Section 228(d)(1) of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3028(d)(1)) is amended by striking ‘, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS AND PROMOTIONS GENERALLY- Section 229 of such Act (33 U.S.C. 3029) is amended--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) by striking ‘alone’ each place it appears; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) in subsection (a), in the second sentence, by striking ‘unless the Senate sooner gives its advice and consent to the appointment’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(mm) Chief Financial Officer Positions- Section 901(a)(1) of title 31, United States Code, is amended by striking subparagraphs (A) and (B) and inserting the following:CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(A) be appointed by the President; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





‘(B) be designated by the President, in consultation with the head of the agency, from among officials of the agency who are required by law to be appointed by the President, whether or not by and with the advice and consent of the Senate;’.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 3. WORKING GROUP ON STREAMLINING PAPERWORK FOR EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS.

(a) Establishment- There is established the Working Group on Streamlining Paperwork for Executive Nominations (in this section referred to as the ‘Working Group’).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(b) Membership-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) COMPOSITION- The Working Group shall be composed of--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the chairperson who shall be--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) except as provided under clause (ii), the Director of the Office of Presidential Personnel; orCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) a Federal officer designated by the President;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) representatives designated by the President from--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) the Office of Personnel Management;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) the Office of Government Ethics; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(iii) the Federal Bureau of Investigation; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) individuals appointed by the chairperson of the Working Group who have experience and expertise relating to the Working Group, including--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) individuals from other relevant Federal agencies; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) individuals with relevant experience from previous presidential administrations.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(c) Streamlining of Paperwork Required for Executive Nominations-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall conduct a study and submit a report on the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the President;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONSULTATION WITH COMMITTEES OF THE SENATE- In conducting the study under this section, the Working Group shall consult with the chairperson and ranking member of the committees referred to under paragraph (1) (B) and (C).CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) CONTENTS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The report submitted under this section shall include--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) recommendations for the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) a detailed plan for the creation and implementation of an electronic system for collecting and distributing background information from potential and actual Presidential nominees for positions which require appointment by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) ELECTRONIC SYSTEM- The electronic system described under subparagraph (A)(ii) shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(i) provide for--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) less burden on potential nominees for positions which require appointment by and with the advice and consent of the Senate;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) faster delivery of background information to Congress, the White House, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Diplomatic Security, and the Office of Government Ethics; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) fewer errors of omission; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(ii) ensure the existence and operation of a single, searchable form which shall be known as a ‘Smart Form’ and shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(I) be free to a nominee and easy to use;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(II) make it possible for the nominee to answer all vetting questions one way, at a single time;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(III) secure the information provided by a nominee;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(IV) allow for multiple submissions over time, but always in the format requested by the vetting agency or entity;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(V) be compatible across different computer platforms;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VI) make it possible to easily add, modify, or subtract vetting questions;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VII) allow error checking; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(VIII) allow the user to track the progress of a nominee in providing the required information.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(d) Review of Background Investigation Requirements-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) IN GENERAL- The Working Group shall conduct a review of the impact of background investigation requirements on the appointments process.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) CONDUCT OF REVIEW- In conducting the review, the Working Group shall--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) assess the feasibility of using personnel other than Federal Bureau of Investigation personnel, in appropriate circumstances, to conduct background investigations of individuals under consideration for positions appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) consider the extent to which the scope of the background investigation conducted for an individual under consideration for a position appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, should be varied depending on the nature of the position for which the individual is being considered.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) REPORT- Not later than 270 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Working Group shall submit a report of the findings of the review under this subsection to--CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) the President;CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate; andCommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(C) the Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(e) Personnel Matters-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(1) COMPENSATION OF MEMBERS-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) FEDERAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES- Each member of the Working Group who is a Federal officer or employee shall serve without compensation in addition to that received for their services as a Federal officer or employee.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) MEMBERS NOT FEDERAL OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES- Each member of the Working Group who is not a Federal officer or employee shall not be compensated for services performed for the Working Group.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(2) TRAVEL EXPENSES- The members of the Working Group shall be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, at rates authorized for employees of agencies under subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code, while away from their homes or regular places of business in the performance of services for the Working Group.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(3) STAFF-CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(A) IN GENERAL- The President may designate Federal officers and employees to provide support services for the Working Group.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(B) DETAIL OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES- Any Federal employee may be detailed to the Working Group without reimbursement, and such detail shall be without interruption or loss of civil service status or privilege.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(f) Non-Applicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act- The Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Working Group established under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink





(g) Termination of the Working Group- The Working Group shall terminate 60 days after the date on which the Working Group submits the latter of the 2 reports under this section.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink

SEC. 4. EFFECTIVE DATE.

The amendments made by this Act shall take effect 60 days after the date of enactment of this Act and apply to appointments made on and after that effective date, including any nomination pending in the Senate on that date.CommentsClose CommentsPermalink