The Center is designed to help presidential candidates and federal agencies successfully navigate the presidential transition process, and to highlight the importance of ensuring that the winner of the 2020 election is fully prepared to govern.
While we work confidently with the presidential transition teams, our experts are available to the news media as a nonpartisan source of information on transition-related issues. These experts have been featured in outlets such as The Washington Post, Special Report with Bret Baier, The Atlantic and US News and World Report, among others. Since 2016, we have collaborated with The Washington Post on a tracker following over 700 key executive branch positions requiring Senate-confirmation, including Cabinet secretaries, deputy and assistant secretaries and ambassadors.
MEDIA CONTACTS
For more information on our media efforts, please see our resources, or reach out to a member of our communications team:
Austin Laufersweiler
Press Secretary
(202) 775-9111
[email protected]
RESOURCES
2020 Presidential Transition Guide
The Partnership’s comprehensive guide on the activities required during the transition. This updated guide, produced in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group, features detailed outlines of transition best practices, historical materials from past transitions, and recommendations for a successful presidential transition to a new or second-term administration.
Presidential Transition Act Summary
In passing the Presidential Transition Act of 1963, Congress explained: “Any disruption occasioned by the transfer of the executive power could produce results detrimental to the safety and well-being of the United States and its people.” To promote the orderly transfer of power, Congress established a framework for the federal government to prepare for a transition from one president to another.
Learn more
Political Appointee To Civil Servant: What the Public Should Know About “Burrowing In”
During election seasons, the status of political appointees in the federal workforce come under increased scrutiny. Under all recent presidents, some political appointees have attempted to become civil servants — a process commonly called “burrowing in.” Unlike political appointments, civil service positions do not terminate at the end of an administration. Conversion therefore allows political appointees to stay in government after the president who appointed them has left office.
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The Vacancies Act: Frequently Asked Questions
This resource provides answers to many of the most frequently asked questions about the Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998.
The Washington Post and Partnership for Public Service announce the launch of Political Appointee Tracker for Biden-Harris administration
December 17, 2020
Publication Type: In the News
The Washington Post and Partnership for Public Service today announced the launch of the Political Appointments Tracker to follow and analyze the progress of President-elect Biden’s Senate-confirmed political appointments. The tracker, first launched in 2016, will allow readers to track more positions than ever before, and provide historical comparisons to past administrations, starting with the Trump administration, and data visualizations…
Senate Republicans Start Vetting Biden’s Cabinet Picks
December 17, 2020
Publication Type: In the News
President-elect Joe Biden’s Cabinet picks are beginning to work through the confirmation process in the Republican-controlled Senate as transition officials and Democrats press to avoid delays in putting key people in place amid the pandemic.
Ask PolitiFact: How hard will it be for Joe Biden to get his Cabinet confirmed?
December 14, 2020
Publication Type: In the News
President-elect Joe Biden has steadily added to his list of prospective Cabinet nominees. What reception can they look forward to in the Senate? In all likelihood, a rough one.
Lack of transition support from OPM raises concerns the agency has become politicized
December 14, 2020
Publication Type: In the News
A series of recent moves involving the Office of Personnel Management is reinvigorating concerns the agency has become increasingly politicized at a time when it’s supposed to help agencies oversee the ongoing presidential transition.
Morale Down, Federal Workforce Gets Ready For A New Boss
December 11, 2020
Publication Type: In the News
When President-elect Joe Biden takes office next month, one of his first challenges will be the nearly 2 million-member federal workforce. Morale is down in many agencies after four years of attacks on the civil service from President Trump.
TRANSITION EXPERTS
