Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Daniel K. Akaka (D-Hawaii) and George V. Voinovich (R-Ohio) commented today on a memorandum sent from President Barack Obama to the heads of executive departments and agencies on Improving the Federal Recruitment and Hiring Process.
Senators Akaka and Voinovich, the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Governmental Affairs subcommittee responsible for oversight of the Federal Workforce, introduced the Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act last year and have held several hearings on the subject.
Senator Akaka said: “I am pleased that President Obama has directed his department heads to reform the Federal hiring process. The current hiring process is too slow and too complicated, which may discourage highly qualified candidates from pursuing Federal service. Many of the requirements in the President’s memorandum mirror my Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act, and I will continue to work for the bill’s enactment to make sure that hiring reform is fully implemented across the federal government, and that reforms stand the test of time.”
Senator Voinovich said: “To be an employer of choice, the government must understand what the competition is doing and adapt to the changing environment. I am pleased that President Obama’s department leaders will take steps to re-tool the federal hiring process, but we must ensure lasting change by passing the Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act. We must make sure our processes result in hiring the right person, at the right place, at the right time to get the job done for current and future generations of public servants.”
More information:
- -The Presidential Memorandum [May 11, 2010]: LINK
- -Press release: Akaka, Voinovich Introduce Bill to Streamline Federal Recruitment and Hiring [March 30, 2009]: LINK
- -Hearings: