On Tuesday, a Republican senator blocked a Democrat proposal to safeguard federal workers from potential reclassification into politically appointed roles under a Trump administration, reigniting debate over civil service protections, The Hill reported.
Rep. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., blocked Democrat efforts to pass legislation protecting federal workers from being reclassified as political appointees. Democrats fear this move could erode the independence of the civil service.
The Saving the Civil Service Act, introduced by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., aims to prevent the reclassification of federal positions outside the merit-based civil service system without congressional approval.
Kaine warned that such reforms, backed by President-elect Donald Trump during his first term, could make federal employees vulnerable to political retaliation and undermine their ability to implement laws impartially.
Speaking on the Senate floor, Kaine emphasized the importance of protecting civil service employees from political interference, citing "attempts in recent years to erode the independence of the federal civil service." He expressed concern that Trump, now reelected, could revive efforts to reclassify tens of thousands of federal workers, stripping them of due process rights and job protections.
Trump's earlier push to establish "Schedule F," an executive order signed in October 2020, sought to convert policy-making roles within the federal workforce into politically appointed positions. This order, which would have removed merit-based protections for affected roles, was repealed by President Joe Biden in January 2021. However, Trump allies, including Russell Vought, his nominee for the Office of Management and Budget, continue to support the measure.
Schmitt swiftly rejected Kaine's request for unanimous consent, arguing that federal bureaucracy had grown too powerful and unaccountable over the past century. "There is no secret that President Trump ran on greater government efficiency and reducing the size of government. This is another effort to Trump-proof before Jan. 20," Schmitt said, referring to the upcoming presidential inauguration.
Democrat Sens. Mark Warner of Virginia and Chris Van Hollen of Maryland joined Kaine in supporting the bill, drawing historical parallels to emphasize the importance of an independent civil service. Warner highlighted the Pendleton Act of 1883, which established merit-based hiring to replace the patronage system that had dominated federal employment.
"Back in the 19th century we saw what happens when you have a federal workforce that was made up of political spoils and political patriots. So, Congress back in 1883 said that we should put in place an independent civil service. That has been the law of the land for 150 years," Warner said.
Van Hollen echoed concerns about the risks of politicizing federal positions, arguing that Trump's Schedule F initiative would allow political allies to fill merit-based roles, paving the way for corruption.
"In other words, substituting political cronies for qualified merit-based federal employees. That's a recipe for corruption," he said.
Van Hollen stated that this isn't about removing the president's ability to appoint people to the 4,000 political jobs already lawfully allowed.
"We're not talking about taking that away. We're saying you can't convert thousands of other positions that today are based on merit into those political type jobs," Van Hollen added.
According to Kaine's office, a revived Schedule F initiative could threaten up to 50,000 federal employees.