[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 52 (Thursday, April 3, 2008)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2443-S2444]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      BY Mr. VOINOVICH (for himself and Mr. Akaka):
  S. 2816. A bill to provide for the appointment of the Chief Human 
Capital Officer of the Department of Homeland Security by the Secretary 
of Homeland Security; to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs.
  Mr. VOINOVICH. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce legislation 
to

[[Page S2444]]

correct what I perceive to be an anomaly in the law. I am grateful to 
be joined in my efforts by my good friend and partner in human capital 
reform, Senator Akaka.
  The enabling statute of the Department of Homeland Security requires 
the Chief Human Capital Officer, or CHCO, to be appointed by the 
President. This differs from all other departments and agencies where 
the head of the agency designates the CHCO. Using that authority, 
agency heads have varied in appointing Chief Human Capital Officers who 
are political appointees as well as career employees.
  This bill would strike the provision of statute that requires the 
Chief Human Capital Officer to be appointed by the President. 
Therefore, the Department would be covered by section 1401 of title 5, 
which directs the head of each agency to appoint the CHCO. Of the 23 
agencies that make up the Chief Human Capital Officers Council, 11 are 
career employees.
  As the Department prepares for its first transition between 
administrations, it is imperative that there are able and capable 
individuals in place to continue its important mission and all related 
functions. Key to a successful Department of Homeland Security is a 
well trained workforce. I believe central to this smooth transition 
would be a career Chief Human Capital Officer. While I have no 
intention of mandating that position be a career position, I believe 
the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security should have the 
flexibility and authority to hire a career employee to that position, 
just as all other agency heads do, and I urge my colleagues to support 
this bill.
                                 ______