Bronaugh cleared for Senate vote to be deputy agriculture secretary May 11, 2021 Publication Type: In the News After nearly three months alone at the USDA, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack is on the verge of being joined by a Biden appointee with sub-cabinet rank. On a voice vote with no objections, the Senate Agriculture Committee cleared Jewel Bronaugh on Monday for a floor vote to become deputy agriculture secretary.
I led the Biden presidential transition. Its leadership lessons can apply to any organization. May 4, 2021 Publication Type: In the News Amid a global pandemic, a presidential election, and an economic crisis, Joe Biden asked me to begin planning a presidential transition that could meet the historic challenges and opportunities of the moment. Authoring the Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010, I knew the challenge this would be.
Opinion: For Biden, 44 confirmations down, only 1,156 to go May 2, 2021 Publication Type: In the News The Biden administration is winning praise because it managed to get 44 appointees through Senate confirmation and into their offices by its 100th day.
Senate Confirmation for 1,200 jobs is Holding Biden Back May 4, 2021 Publication Type: In the News Within hours of his inauguration, President Joe Biden had staffed around 1,100 key federal appointments, an unprecedented number that speaks to the excellent work of his personnel team during a difficult transition. Yet this accomplishment was only possible because the roles did not require Senate confirmation.
Congressional Witness Says Plum Book in Need of Modernization May 4, 2021 Publication Type: In the News “The American people deserve better transparency into who is serving them in the Federal government, both in political positions and top career positions. This information is currently produced once every four year… the same way it has been produced since the 1950s. And every four years, it’s outdated by the time it’s published,” James-Christian Blockwood,...
Biden promised the most diverse administration ever. Here’s how he’s doing. April 30, 2021 Publication Type: In the News President Joe Biden promised to have a Cabinet that reflected the diversity of the country. Kristine Simmons, the vice president of government affairs at the Partnership for Public Service, said Biden is the first president in modern history to appoint more women than men in his first 100 days.
Slate of bills to protect feds and transparency considered in committee May 3, 2021 Publication Type: In the News James-Christian Blockwood, executive vice president at the Partnership for Public Service, also called on Congress to consider reducing the number of positions requiring appointment and Senate confirmation overall, as the sheer number often keeps agencies from getting or maintaining consistent leadership after each change in administration.
Prolific yet quiet: Joe Biden’s first 100 days in numbers April 29, 2021 Publication Type: In the News How does Biden’s flurry of activity in the first 100 days compare to previous administrations’? What can the numbers surrounding Biden’s media profile and popularity ratings tell us about how far he is delivering the “unity” he promised?
Biden’s 100 days has gone smoothly. Does the summer curse await? April 27, 2021 Publication Type: In the News Joe Biden has ambitious plans for his next 100 days in office — but only if the summer curse doesn’t derail him. “Every president who’s smart focuses on a small number of priorities, their affirmative agenda and then they typically get knocked back on their heels by the world around them,” said Max Stier, president...
Opinion: 17 Metrics to Watch in the Biden Era April 27, 2021 Publication Type: In the News #15: Senate Confirmations. Personnel is policy, which means that putting the right people in place is essential. The Biden administration is beating its predecessor by that yardstick, but that’s not saying a lot. Moving forward, Biden’s ability to fill these positions will not only set the pace for policy implementation; it will also serve as...