FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 13, 2010
Contact: Sarah Howe
202-775-9111
PARTNERSHIP FOR PUBLIC SERVICE APPLAUDS SENS. KAUFMAN, VOINOVICH, AKAKA AND LIEBERMAN FOR INTRODUCING LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE THE PRESIDENTIAL TRANSITION
Washington, D.C. –Partnership for Public Service President and CEO Max Stier released the following statement applauding Sens. Ted Kaufman (D-DE), George Voinovich (R-OH), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), and Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) for introducing the Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010.
“The current presidential transition process leaves too much to hope and luck. We’ve been fortunate in recent years to have presidents who have prioritized governance – and have prepared well to lead and have paved the way for others to lead. But the process needs to be improved and institutionalized so that our country is not vulnerable.
We live in volatile times with countless national security threats, economic woes and an increased demand on our government. A new president must be ready to govern with his senior leadership team in place on day one, which requires resources and planning well before the general election.
The Partnership for Public Service applauds Senators Kaufman, Voinovich, Akaka and Lieberman for their leadership in introducing legislation to improve the presidential transition process and ensure a proper and safe transfer of power. We are encouraged that this legislation emphasizes pre-election resources for smart transition planning and encourages cooperation from the White House and federal agencies.”
The Partnership called on Congress and the White House to make major fixes to the presidential transition process in its Ready to Govern: Improving the Presidential Transition report released in January 2010, and available at www.ourpublicservice.org. Report recommendations include starting the transition process earlier, making it more transparent so there is no longer a stigma on preparing, and reducing the number of Senate-confirmed politically appointed positions. The report also recommends that Congress and the White House agree on a calendar of appointments so 500 key officials are confirmed at the six month mark, rather than the current norm of over a year.
The Partnership for Public Service works to revitalize the federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works.
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The Partnership for Public Service is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that works to revitalize our federal government by inspiring a new generation to serve and by transforming the way government works.
