S. 2816 is being considered on the floor under suspension of the rules and will require a two-thirds majority vote for passage. This legislation was introduced by Senator George Voinovich (R-OH) on April 3, 2008. The Senate passed this bill by unanimous consent on September 23, 2008. S. 2816 was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, but was never considered.

S. 2816 is expected to be considered on the floor of the House on September 27, 2008.

This bill would provide for the appointment of the Chief Human Capital Officer (CFCO) of the Department on Homeland Security by the Secretary. 

Note: Under current law, the President is required to appoint the DHS Chief Human Capital Officer. The head of each other Federal agency currently appoints its own CFCO.

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 required the President to appoint the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, as well as that agency’s Chief Human Capital Officer. This is a unique requirement among all Federal agencies. The head of other Federal agencies have the authority to appoint their CFCOs.

Chief Human Capital Officers of Federal agencies serve as an agency’s chief policy advisor on all human resources management issues and are charged with selecting, developing, training, and managing a high-quality, productive workforce. The Chief Human Capital Officers Council, comprised of Federal CFCOs, advises and coordinates the activities of agencies on such matters as the modernization of human resources systems, improved quality of human resources information, and legislation affecting human resources operations and organizations.

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that implementing S. 2816 “would have no significant costs to the federal government.” Full CBO Cost Estimate