"Revitalizing the Federal Workforce"

Subcommittee Chairman Connolly's Opening Statement [PDF]

Washington D.C. (Feb. 18, 2021)—On Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, will hold a hearing to examine the current state of the federal workforce and the actions that are necessary to repair, rebuild, and fortify it for the future. 

After four years of the Trump administration, the federal workforce has sustained significant damage.  Former President Trump reduced the ranks of the federal workforce; replaced expert, career professionals with partisan operators; and attacked collective bargaining rights and the independence of the competitive civil service to further his own personal and political agenda. 

This hearing will examine ways to undo the corrosive actions of the previous administration and prevent future abuses, including passing the bipartisan Preventing a Patronage System Act, drafted by Subcommittee Chairman Connolly and Oversight and Reform Committee Chairwoman Carolyn B. Maloney and legislation to reauthorize the Merit Systems Protection Board.

In addition, this hearing will discuss the need to attract and retain young talent to prepare for the future retirement of much of the current federal workforce.