A Brief Overview of the 108th Congress: During the 108th Congress, the Subcommittee pursued an aggressive agenda, holding twenty hearings and guiding the passage of an historical amount of civil service legislation into law. In fact, the OPM Office of Congressional Relations Director confirmed that there has not been a more successful Congressional term, regarding civil service legislation, since 1978 - the year the Civil Service Reform Act became law. One theme captures the essence of the Subcommittee’s civil service work throughout the 108th: recruiting and retaining the best and brightest employees for the Federal Government. In addition to the eight civil service-related bills that became law during the 108th Congress, the Subcommittee began several important oversight and legislative initiatives that can be pursued in the 109th Congress.
Agencies within the Subcommittee’s Jurisdiction
Office of Personnel Management (OPM): One of several agencies created when the Civil Service Commission was broken-up by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, OPM implements human capital policies based on merit system principles that assist Federal agencies in meeting their strategic goals. OPM’s strategy is to provide human capital leadership and services for all agencies, in a manner that blends and balances flexibility and consistency across Government. Specifically, OPM’s stated strategy is to serve the interests of the Government as a single employer by sustaining essential Governmentwide values, such as merit system principles and accountability, veterans’ preference, workforce diversity and family-friendly policies. In the recruitment area, OPM recruits citizens to Federal service, serves as the main portal for employment information, and connects job applicants with Federal agencies and departments. OPM also administers Governmentwide compensation, earned employee benefits and automated information systems. The programs OPM administers include retirement, health benefits, long-term care, life insurance, and personnel security programs.
Office of Government Ethics: The Office of Government Ethics (OGE), a small agency within the executive branch, was established by the Ethics in Government Act of 1978. Originally part of the Office of Personnel Management, OGE became a separate agency on October 1, 1989 as part of the Office of Government Ethics Reauthorization Act of 1988. The Office of Government Ethics exercises leadership in the executive branch to prevent conflicts of interest on the part of Government employees, and to resolve those conflicts of interest that do occur. In partnership with executive branch agencies and departments, OGE fosters high ethical standards for employees and strengthens the public's confidence that the Government's business is conducted with impartiality and integrity.
Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA): Another agency created from a component function of the old Civil Service Commission, the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) is quasi-judicial body established by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA) as an independent agency. The FLRA is comprised of three full-time members who are appointed for 5-year terms. One Member is appointed by the President to serve as Chairman of the Authority and as the Chief Executive and Administrative Officer of the FLRA. The Chairman also chairs the Foreign Service Labor Relations Board.
Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board: The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board is an independent Government agency charged with the responsibility of managing the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) for federal employees and uniformed service members. The TSP is a tax-deferred defined contribution plan similar to a private sector 401(k) plan. The Board is required by law to manage the TSP prudently and solely in the interest of the participants and their beneficiaries.
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission makes equal employment opportunity policy and approves most litigation. The General Counsel of the EEOC is responsible for conducting EEOC enforcement litigation.
