This resource outlines the steps required to create, organize and run a transition team from an operational standpoint. Topics include setting up the 501(c)(4) nonprofit structure, budgeting and funding and establishing human resources functions. Sample position description for the operations director is also included.
The Center for Presidential Transition examined the transcripts from the Senate confirmation hearings of 23 Cabinet-level and agency head positions. We isolated and categorized questions from the confirmation hearings of the two most recent officials confirmed for each selected position.
Further delays by the General Services Administration in recognizing the outcome of the Nov. 3 election could impede the ability of President-elect Joe Biden to make timely and critical appointments for key COVID-19 and national security-related positions, thereby weakening the government’s ability to protect our nation and distribute life-saving vaccines.
A paper by UVA’s Miller Center Director and CEO William Antholis and Center for Presidential Transition Director David Marchick featuring lessons learned from previous transitions that occurred during political and economic crises.
Data on President Barack Obama’s Cabinet nominations from the Senate. This includes nominees’ names and dates of their nomination announcement, hearing, received in the Senate and confirmation.
Preparing for the enormous responsibility of running the federal government is the most important job for any presidential candidate.
In November 2024, the Partnership for Public Service published an updated version of this report with new data and improved methods for calculations that is available here.
Data from the Partnership for Public Service found that Senate confirmation of presidential appointees are taking longer than ever.
Why it Matters
A major presidential responsibility is to fill more than 1,200 political appointments requiring Senate confirmation. Few decisions have a greater impact on the success of an administration than the selection of its people. A president must not only select well-qualified appointees, but work with relevant federal agencies and the Senate to get appointees in place quickly. This is especially crucial for a president beginning their first term, or transitioning to a second term, as year five usually coincides with a turnover of more than 40% in senior leadership positions.
Statement of Max Stier President and CEO Partnership for Public Service Written statement prepared for the House Committee on Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security Hearing entitled, “Lacking a Leader: Challenges Facing the SSA after over 5 Years of Acting Commissioners.
The Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 aims to encourage the president to fill the critical leadership positions requiring Senate confirmation ( so-called PAS positions) by limiting the amount of days someone can serve in those roles in an acting capacity. So who can fill a vacant PAS position? How long can an acting official serve? Get the answers to these questions and more in our Vacancy Act FAQs resource.
The Office of Management and Budget is the one federal agency that can play a pivotal role in ensuring the effective implementation of programs and policies across the entire government. Besides its budget responsibilities, OMB can and should be doing more as a government-wide catalyst for evidence-based decision-making, innovation, management reform and interagency and intergovernmental coordination.
In this report, “From Decisions to Results: Building a More Effective Government Through a Transformed Office of Management and Budget” the Partnership for Public Service suggests six target areas for the next president to focus on in order to transform the Office of Management and Budget into a primary coordination hub for translating decisions made at the White House and Congress into results for citizens.