GOP Senator Blocks 'Desperate Attempt' by Dems to 'Trump-Proof' Washington
Leah Barkoukis
Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) said he was "proud" to block a proposal from Democrats to protect federal workers from potentially getting reclassified as political appointees under the incoming administration.
The measure was introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) as a way to prevent such reclassification without congressional approval. He asked for unanimous consent to pass the Saving the Civil Service Act, warning about “attempts in recent years to erode the independence of the federal civil service,” a reference to efforts President-elect Trump made in his first term.
Kaine and other Democrats fear that Trump, now reelected, may attempt to reclassify tens of thousands of federal workers as political appointees who could be hired and fired at will.
Kaine argued that federal workers need to keep their civil service protections to insulate them from political retaliation. He argued that such protections would better equip them to implement federal laws and policies dispassionately.
His bill would prohibit any position in the federal civil service from being reclassified as a job outside of the merit-based system without the consent of Congress. (The Hill)
Schmitt blocked the request, however.
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https://townhall.com/tipsheet/leahbarkoukis/2024/12/18/schmitt-blocks-proposal-to-protect-federal-workers-n2649212
