Show-Me State Times

WASHINGTON – On May 9, 2023, Senator Eric Schmitt joined Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) in cosponsoring the Public Service Reform Act. This bill would more easily allow the termination of ineffective or ill-intentioned federal employees:

“Washington is in desperate need of meaningful structural reform, and this bill is a step in the right direction. The Public Service Reform Act targets a source of frustration for many Americans – unelected bureaucrats in Washington with far too much power over the American people who are not accountable to anyone. I promised to fight back against the administrative state, and I’m proud to join Senator Scott on this important bill,” said Senator Eric Schmitt.

“I’ve spent my life leading organizations of every shape and size. Whether running a small donut shop, America’s largest health care company, or the great state of Florida, I know from firsthand experience the importance of having an effective and dedicated team that shares a common mission. It’s clear that the bureaucracy of the federal government is both a waste of taxpayer dollars and inefficient. Red tape and bloated federal agencies constantly slow down progress and hamper American innovation. It’s time to change Washington so it actually works for the American people. The Public Service Reform Act will boost accountability and responsiveness across the federal government by making all executive branch employees at-will. This is common sense and I urge my colleagues to join us in supporting this good bill,” said Senator Rick Scott.

Background:

• This bill follows President Trump’s Schedule F Executive Order, but expands the scope and would make all executive branch employees at-will.
  • Under this bill, employees can face any adverse action, including removal, provided it is not a prohibited personnel practice, such as discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin (as currently provided for in law, 5 USC § 2302).
• Currently, terminating ineffective or ill-intentioned federal employees is needlessly burdensome and nearly impossible.
  • To fire employees, federal supervisors must navigate an unjustifiably complex and time-consuming process, conducting a formal investigation and giving employees 30 days advance notice.
  • Employees can and do appeal their removal multiple times through various internal and external boards and offices, further dragging out the process.
  • The current framework disincentivizes efficiency, and most importantly, true public service in the federal workforce.
• The current system rewards mediocrity and penalizing valuable career and political employees dedicated to their jobs.
• Senator Schmitt also recently introduced the Expediting Reform and Stopping Excess Regulations (ERASER) Act, which is aimed at reducing the number of costly regulations.

Original source can be found here.