House Passes Presidential Tranasitions Legislation

As federal workers prepare for the upcoming Presidential transition, the House has passed a bipartisan bill intended remove the politics from this process.

By a voice vote, the House passed S. 1172, the Edward “Ted” Kaufman and Michael Leavitt Presidential Transitions Improvements Act. The bill, which made it through the Senate last July, seeks to help presidential candidates navigate the transition process, in addition to clarifying the nonpartisan role of the General Services Administration (GSA) in supporting the transition. It would require that a White House-led senior-level interagency transition council be in place at least six months before Election Day, and that a standing, working-level interagency group develop an integrated strategy for transitions.

Under this bill, agencies would designate a senior career official to oversee the transition at least six months before Election Day. GSA would also designate a career employee to serve as federal transition coordinator to support the incoming president.

"A successful transition between administrations requires advance planning and collaboration across government, particularly in these unsettled times,” said Max Stier, President and CEO of the Partnership for Public Service

The bill builds upon a 2010 law that required the government through GSA to offer transition services to the major-party nominees.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee attached an amendment and the bill will now head back to the Senate.