Still Life with Robin: Federal employees, here's your chance to defend your work, your rights....and sound government for us ALL

 by Peggy Robin

Today's column is addressed to current and former federal employees. If you're reading this and you are not one of them, by all means pass along this information to friends and family who fit the category. Also, this column is not by me -- it's not even from a Cleveland Park Listserv member; it's by Linda McIntyre, a member of the Chevy Chase Community Listserv, and it is reproduced here with the author's permission (well, more like her enthusiastic encouragement. She writes: "Yes, please do [send out this message]! I'm trying to share this as widely as possible...."

Do you work in the Federal government, or know people who do (or did)? Are you worried about what's happening to the historically stable, nonpartisan career civil service?  Here's an opportunity to take constructive action by taking a few minutes to comment on a proposed rule that would significantly change the nature of that institution.

 

From a good governance newsletter I subscribe to:

 

Why should you do this?

• The proposed rule seeks to reinstate Schedule F, the administration’s never implemented plan to institutionalize political control and loyalty tests for the career bureaucracy by turning 50,000 or more career civil servants into political appointees.

• Federal comments really do matter. By law, they must be read by the administration, and substantive comments require a response. Failure to do so can see the rule tossed out by courts.

• It’s easy: Enter a comment here. No log in. Just click on the “submit a public comment” button. You can enter text, or upload a document.

• The volume of opposing comments matters, so writing something short and sweet is great. You don’t need to read the rule in depth or be an expert. The proposed rule is bad and protecting nonpartisan civil servants is good. See more details below or take a look at the comments people have already posted.

• More detailed and informed comments are even better. One thing that is different from the first time Schedule F was introduced is that we now have a track record showing how the much more politicized mismanagement of the federal government is having negative effects, and handing over more power would be a disaster. I am especially appealing to people with deep knowledge of policies and management to explain how Schedule F would hurt their domain of expertise. Please, please, please weigh in to provide actual information about how providing protections for career officials will protect against political abuses. If a bunch of people with real and credible experience comment, it becomes harder for the administration and judges to ignore us.
  

 

The deadline is May 23rd.

Source: Dan Moynihan's Substack article June 20, 2024: 
The Public Opposes Trump's Plans to Politicize Public Services 
And John Oliver provides a Project 2025 explainer for you to share
 

Linda McIntyre

Linda.McIntyre@gmail.com [Linda.McIntyre @ gmail dot com]

Devonshire Place NW

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Still Life with Robin is posted on the Cleveland Park Listserv and on All Life Is Local on Saturdays.