[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 144 (Tuesday, September 10, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Page S5375]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Dale Cabaniss

  Mr. PETERS. Mr. President, I rise today to oppose the nomination of 
Dale Cabaniss to serve as Director of the Office of Personnel 
Management.
  With roughly 5,500 dedicated employees, OPM is responsible for 
managing the Federal Government's civilian workforce--overseeing 
government-wide policies for recruiting, for hiring, and training--and 
administering the healthcare, life insurance, and retirement benefits 
that impact millions of Americans every year.
  The Director of OPM plays a crucial role in the Federal Government, 
not only by managing the agency's employees but by serving as a leader 
and an advocate for more than 2 million hard-working men and women in 
the Federal workforce. The next Director of OPM must have a proven 
track record of effective leadership.
  While I acknowledge and I admire Ms. Cabaniss's long record of public 
service, which includes more than 20 years here in the Senate, I do not 
believe that her experience and qualifications satisfy the requirements 
of this very important and very challenging position.
  Last summer, the Trump administration released its government-wide 
reorganization proposal, which includes plans to dismantle the Office 
of Personnel Management as we know it. Since then, Congress has 
repeatedly attempted to engage in an honest and productive dialogue 
with the administration about their reorganization proposal. However, 
they have not been transparent about the repercussions of this plan and 
what impact those repercussions could have on the Federal workforce. 
They have not demonstrated how taxpayers will be better served by their 
proposal, and it remains unclear if they have even studied the full 
impact of their proposal. In short, they have left too many fundamental 
questions simply unanswered.
  The Office of Personnel Management is charged with safeguarding the 
nonpartisan civil service from the political motives of this or any 
White House. During such a time of uncertainty and upheaval, OPM needs 
strong and steady leadership that is focused on good governance and 
that will not be swayed by political whims of elected officials. This 
Agency and the millions of Americans it serves each and every day 
deserve a proven, independent leader.
  Simply put, Dale Cabaniss is not that leader. While Ms. Cabaniss has 
some experience leading a small agency, I am not confident that her 
background has prepared her to provide the stability and the autonomy 
that OPM deserves.
  Unfortunately, after a careful review of Ms. Cabaniss's record, I do 
not believe that she is the right choice to lead OPM at this critical 
time. I will be voting no, and I urge my colleagues to do the same.
  I yield the floor.
  I suggest the absence of a quorum.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for 
the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.