The leadership of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is introducing legislation to streamline the nomination process for Presidential appointees.
The number of key policy positions requiring confirmation has grown to 422, and another 800 positions require Senate confirmation but these posts are often delayed for many reasons, some political, some bureaucratic, and Congress tends introduces similar legislation each year.
The committee is now proposing to standardize and centralize the forms and documentation required by both the Senate and the White House to reduce the paperwork burden on nominees.
A temporary increase to White House Office of Presidential Personnel and FBI staff charged with processing the surge of nominations that come with each new administration is also needed, according to the Committee.
Committee ranking member Susan Collins, R-Maine, emphasized that key leadership posts should not go unfilled for long periods of time because that can harm agency missions and discourage talented individuals from serving.
Most nomination delays occur at sub-cabinet level positions and they average 195 days and the committee is proposing to eliminate Senate confirmation for several categories of appointments.
