At DoD there are now five distinct political layers above an office or bureau level. Image: Austin Nooe/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffThe number of political appointees subject to Senate confirmation has increased by 60 percent since 1960, slowing down the process of getting them into place and adding layers of political oversight above the operating program level, says the Partnership for Public Service.
At DoD for example there are now five distinct political layers above an office or bureau level, while there are four each at State (not counting ambassadors), Energy, Commerce and Treasury, says an analysis by the Partnership’s Center for Presidential Transition.
“Multiple layers of managerial oversight can introduce redundancy and reduce clarity about roles and responsibilities within agencies. Additionally, each added level increases the number of positions for which presidents must make nominations and the Senate must review,” it says. “The result is often long-term vacancies in these positions, as both the White House and the Senate are strained to process the growing number of political appointees requiring confirmation.”
It says while the top two levels—secretary and deputy secretary—on average need only 18 and 67 days from nomination to confirmation, the average at the next level down, undersecretary, is 350 days. The average at levels below that (deputy undersecretaries and assistant secretaries/directors) is above 400 days.
“This leaves many of the positions closest to agency operations vacant for more than a year into an administration . . . More importantly, the long-term vacancies are a disservice to the public,” it says, noting that three years into the Biden administration, nine of the 68 assistant/secretary positions at those five departments still have not had a confirmed nominee.
It added that since 1992 DoD has added 12 positions at the bottom three levels, State seven and Treasury two.
“The responsibilities held by these agencies have only grown in complexity over time, and there is no doubt that these agencies need experienced, senior officials to fulfill those responsibilities. It is less clear, however, that each layer of these positions need Senate confirmation,” it said.
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