Ernst: “Our democratic system wasn’t designed to be run by a large, unchecked federal bureaucracy.”

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is putting forward legislation to reduce the size of the federal bureaucracy, including limiting the total number of political appointees and ensuring these appointees at federal agencies cannot “burrow” into the bureaucracy by transitioning their temporary positions into life-long career roles.

 

“Too often, unelected bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. think they know what’s best and make decisions that negatively affect the lives of folks in places like rural Iowa, and across what they like to call ‘fly over country.’ Our democratic system wasn’t designed to be run by a large, unchecked federal bureaucracy, and this bill takes commonsense measures to limit the size and scope of the executive branch in Washington. Iowans know what’s best for Iowa, and this legislation will help keep the power with the people,” said Senator Ernst.

 

Background :

The Reduce Bureaucracy Act helps limit the size and scope of the executive branch by ensuring that the total number of political appointees would not exceed 2,000. The bill would also narrow the definition of “political appointee.”

 

In addition, the bill prohibits political appointees from employment in a career civil service role for two years following departure from the administration. It requires the head of an agency to submit a written request to OPM’s Associate Director for Merit Systems Accountability and Compliance should the agency wish to hire a former political appointee to a career position following the two year period. For the request to be approved, the agency head would have to prove to the Associate Director that the hire was necessary for the agency to meet its mission.