Changes in Civil Service Leadership Ahead

Due to the election results, there will be several changes in Capitol Hill leadership on federal employee matters in the new Congress starting in January. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., will take over the House Government Reform Committee and Sen. Joseph Lieberman, I-Conn., will chair the counterpart Senate Homeland Security. Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., is positioned to take over the House federal workforce subcommittee and Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, its Senate counterpart. The reshuffling of assignments that follows a congressional reorganization could put other members in the seats, though. However, any Democratic leader is expected to treat with more skepticism Bush administration personnel initiatives such as contracting out and pay reforms. Also, Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., who is active on civil service issues, is in line for the second-highest House leadership post, majority leader.