A quorum of two members on the three-member MSPB also was recently restored, with the status of a fired Democratic member still pending a court challenge. Image: Katherine Welles/Shutterstock.com
The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee has scheduled confirmation hearings this week on nominees for the several of the remaining vacancies in key positions overseeing federal workforce matters.
The most prominent—and controversial—of the nominations is that of Paul Ingrassia to head the Office of Special Counsel. In contrast to prior nominees of both parties, Ingrassia has much less experience in government and law; however, opposition to him has focused on his history of associating with far-right personalities and positions. The committee had put off an earlier confirmation hearing that had been scheduled for July.
Also up for consideration is Charles Arrington, chief human capital officer at the VA, for the vacant seat on the three-member FLRA board, which has been split by party since the White House fired a Democratic member, and the nomination to be GSA administrator of Ed Forst, who has held senior positions in real estate and investment businesses.
The Senate meanwhile recently restored a quorum to the EEOC, with three of its five seats now filled, by confirming Brittany Panuccio, whose background includes positions with the Education and Justice departments. The EEOC had been operating with just one Republican and one Democratic member since the White House fired two prior Democratic members.
A quorum of two members on the three-member MSPB also was recently restored, with the status of a fired Democratic member still pending a court challenge.
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