Presidential Appointments to Full-Time Positions in Executive Departments During the 114th Congress

October 31, 2017 (R45004)
Jump to Main Text of Report

Contents

Tables

Appendixes

Summary

The President makes appointments to positions within the federal government, either using the authorities granted by law to the President alone, or with the advice and consent of the Senate. There are some 350 full-time leadership positions in the 15 executive departments for which the Senate provides advice and consent. This report identifies all nominations submitted to the Senate during the 114th Congress for full-time positions in these 15 executive departments.

Information for each department is presented in tables. The tables include full-time positions confirmed by the Senate, pay levels for these positions, and appointment action within each executive department. Additional summary information across all 15 executive departments appears in the Appendix.

During the 114th Congress, the President submitted 102 nominations to the Senate for full-time positions in executive departments. Of these 102 nominations, 64 were confirmed, 8 were withdrawn, and 30 were returned to him in accordance with Senate rules. For those nominations that were confirmed, a mean (average) of 156.1 days elapsed between nomination and confirmation. The median number of days elapsed was 125.5.

Information for this report was compiled using the Senate nominations database of the Legislative Information System (LIS) at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/, the Congressional Record (daily edition), the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, telephone discussions with agency officials, agency websites, the United States Code, and the 2016 Plum Book (United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions).

This report will not be updated.


Presidential Appointments to Full-Time Positions in Executive Departments During the 114th Congress

Introduction

The President is responsible for appointing individuals to positions throughout the federal government. In some instances, the President makes these appointments using authorities granted by law to the President alone. Other appointments are made with the advice and consent of the Senate via the nomination and confirmation of appointees. Presidential appointments with Senate confirmation are often referred to with the abbreviation PAS. This report identifies, for the 114th Congress, all nominations submitted to the Senate for executive-level full-time positions in the 15 executive departments for which the Senate provides advice and consent.1 It excludes appointments to regulatory boards and commissions as well as to independent and other agencies, which are covered in other Congressional Research Service (CRS) reports.

Information for this report was compiled using the Senate nominations database of the Legislative Information System (LIS) at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/, the Congressional Record (daily edition), the Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents, telephone discussions with agency officials, agency websites, the United States Code, and the 2016 Plum Book (United States Government Policy and Supporting Positions).

Related CRS reports regarding the presidential appointments process, nomination activity for other executive branch positions, recess appointments, and other appointment-related matters may be found at http://www.crs.gov.2

Appointments During the 114th Congress

Table 1 summarizes appointment activity, during the 114th Congress, related to full-time PAS positions in the 15 executive departments. President Barack H. Obama submitted 102 nominations to the Senate for full-time positions in executive departments. Of these 102 nominations, 64 were confirmed; 8 were withdrawn; and 30 were returned to the President under the provisions of Senate rules.3

Table 1. Appointment Action for 15 Departments During the 114th Congress

Positions in the 15 Departments (total)

 

350

Positions to which nominations were made

 

101

Individual nominees

 

101

Nominations Submitted to the Senate (total)

 

102

Disposition of nominations

 

 

 

Confirmed by the Senate

 

64

 

Withdrawn

 

8

 

Returned

 

30

Recess Appointments

 

0

Source: Table developed by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) using data presented in the appendices of this report.

Length of Time to Confirm a Nomination

The length of time a given nomination may be pending in the Senate has varied widely. Some nominations were confirmed within a few days, others were confirmed within several months, and some were never confirmed. This report provides, for each executive department nomination confirmed in the 114th Congress, the number of days between nomination and confirmation ("days to confirm").

Under Senate Rules, nominations not acted on by the Senate at the end of a session of Congress (or before a recess of 30 days) are returned to the President.4 The Senate, by unanimous consent, often waives this rule—although not always.5 In cases where the President resubmits a returned nomination, this report measures the days to confirm from the date of receipt of the resubmitted nomination, not the original.

For executive department nominations confirmed in the 114th Congress, a mean of 156.1 days elapsed between nomination and confirmation. The median number of days elapsed was 125.5.

Organization of this Report

Executive Department Profiles

Each of the 15 executive department profiles provided in this report is divided into two parts. The first table lists the titles and pay levels of all the department's full-time PAS positions as of the end of the 114th Congress.6 For most presidentially appointed positions requiring Senate confirmation, pay levels fall under the Executive Schedule. As of the end of the 114th Congress, these pay levels range from level I ($205,700) for Cabinet-level offices to level V ($150,200) for lower-ranked positions.7

The second table lists appointment action for vacant positions during the 114th Congress in chronological order. This table provides the name of the nominee, position title, date of nomination or appointment, date of confirmation, and number of days between receipt of a nomination and confirmation, and notes relevant actions other than confirmation (e.g., nominations returned to or withdrawn by the President).

When more than one nominee has had appointment action, the second table also provides statistics on the length of time between nomination and confirmation. The average days to confirm are provided in two ways: mean and median. The mean is a more familiar measure, though it may be influenced by outliers in the data. The median, by contrast, does not tend to be influenced by outliers. In other words, a nomination that took an extraordinarily long time to be confirmed might cause a significant change in the mean, but the median would be unaffected. Examining both numbers offers more information with which to assess the central tendency of the data.

For a small number of positions within a department, the two tables may contain slightly different titles for the same position. This is because the title used in the nomination the White House submits to the Senate, the title of the position as established by statute, and the title of the position used by the department itself are not always identical. The first table listing incumbents at the end of the 114th Congress uses data provided by the department itself. The second table listing nomination action within each department relies primarily upon the LIS database of Senate nominations.8 This information is based upon nominations sent to the Senate by the White House. Any inconsistency in position titles between the two tables is noted following each appointment table.

Additional Appointment Information

Appendix A provides two tables. Table A-1 relists all appointment action identified in this report and is organized alphabetically by the appointee's last name. Table entries identify the agency to which each individual was appointed, position title, nomination date, date confirmed or other final action, and duration count for confirmed nominations. The table also includes the mean and median values for the "days to confirm" column.

Table A-2 provides summary data for each of the 15 executive departments identified in this report. The table summarizes the number of positions, nominations submitted, individual nominees, confirmations, nominations returned, and nominations withdrawn for each department. It also provides the mean and median values for the numbers of days taken to confirm nominations within each department.

A list of department abbreviations can be found in Appendix B.

Department of Agriculture

Table 2. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Agriculture

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Inspector Generala

III + 3%b

Under Secretary—Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services

III

Under Secretary—Food, Nutrition, and Consumer Services

III

Under Secretary—Food Safety

III

Under Secretary—Marketing and Regulatory Programs

III

Under Secretary—Natural Resources and Environment

III

Under Secretary—Research, Education, and Economics

III

Under Secretary—Rural Development

III

Assistant Secretary—Civil Rights

IV

Assistant Secretary—Congressional Relations

IV

Chief Financial Officerc

IV

General Counsel

IV

Source: Table created using data from agency websites and the Legislative Information System (LIS) Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

Notes: PAS refers to presidential appointments with the advice and consent of the Senate.

a. The President may remove an inspector general (IG) from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

b. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

c. The chief financial officer (CFO) may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or may be designated by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)). In previous Congresses, the CFO for the Department of Agriculture has been appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Table 3. Department of Agriculture Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Jeffrey M. Prieto

General Counsel

03/25/15

07/29/15

126

Source: Table created by CRS using data found in the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

Department of Commerce

Table 4. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Commerce

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Inspector Generala

III + 3%b

Under Secretary—Economic Affairs

III

Under Secretary—Export Administrationc

III

Under Secretary—Intellectual Property/Director, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)

III

Under Secretary—International Trade

III

Under Secretary—Oceans and Atmosphere/Administrator—National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

III

Under Secretary—Standards and Technology/Director—National Institute of Standards and Technologyd

III

Assistant Secretary—Administration/Chief Financial Officere

IV

Assistant Secretary—Communications and Information

IV

Assistant Secretary—Economic Development

IV

Assistant Secretary—Export Administration

IV

Assistant Secretary—Export Enforcement

IV

Assistant Secretary—Import Administrationf

IV

Assistant Secretary—Industry and Analysis

IV

Assistant Secretary—Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Environmental Observation and Prediction/Deputy Administrator, NOAA

IV

Assistant Secretary—Conservation and Management/Deputy Administrator, NOAA

IV

Assistant Secretary—Global Markets/Director General, U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service

IV

Director—Bureau of the Censusg

IV

Director—National Institute of Standards and Technology

IV

General Counsel

IV

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

b. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

c. Within the Department of Commerce (DOC), this position is also sometimes known as Under Secretary of Industry and Security.

d. New position as of January 4, 2011, P.L. 111-358. According to §403(a), "the individual serving as the Director of the Institute on the date of enactment of the National Institute of Standards and Technology Authorization Act of 2010 shall also serve as the Under Secretary until such time as a successor is appointed under subsection (b).''

e. The CFO may be appointed by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)).

f. Within the DOC, this position is also sometimes known as Assistant Secretary for Enforcement and Compliance.

g. P.L. 112-166 established a five-year term for the Director of the Bureau of the Census and required the nominee to have certain specified qualifications (13 U.S.C. §21).

Table 5. Department of Commerce Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Michelle K. Lee

Under Sec.—Intellectual Property / Dir. - USPTO

01/08/15

03/09/15

60

Manson K. Brown

Asst. Sec.—Environmental Observation and Prediction

01/29/15

03/16/15

46

Willie E. May

Under Sec.—Standards and Technology

02/25/15

05/04/15

68

Steven M. Haro

Asst. Sec.—Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

10/05/15

12/16/15

72

Peggy E. Gustafson

Inspector General

04/25/16

12/10/16

229

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

95.0

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

68.0

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

Department of Defense

Table 6. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Defense

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Inspector Generala

III + 3%b

Inspector General—National Security Agencya

III + 3%b

Inspector General—National Reconnaissance Officea

III + 3%b

Under Secretary—Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics

II

Under Secretary—Comptroller/Chief Financial Officerc

III

Under Secretary—Intelligence

III

Under Secretary—Personnel and Readiness

III

Under Secretary—Policy

III

Deputy Chief Management Officer

III

Principal Deputy Under Secretary—Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics

III

Principal Deputy Under Secretary—Comptroller

IV

Principal Deputy Under Secretary—Intelligenced

IV

Principal Deputy Under Secretary—Personnel and Readiness

IV

Principal Deputy Under Secretary—Policy

IV

Assistant Secretary—Acquisition

IV

Assistant Secretary—Asian and Pacific Security Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Global Strategic Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Health Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Homeland Defense and Global Security

IV

Assistant Secretary—International Security Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Legislative Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Logistics and Materiel Readiness

IV

Assistant Secretary—Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Operational Energy Plans and Programs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Readiness and Force Managemente

IV

Assistant Secretary—Research and Engineering

IV

Assistant Secretary—Reserve Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict

IV

Director—Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation

IV

Director—Operational Test and Evaluationf

IV

General Counsel

IV

Department of the Air Force

 

Secretary

II

Under Secretary

III

Assistant Secretary—Acquisition

IV

Assistant Secretary—Financial Management/Comptroller

IV

Assistant Secretary—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Installations, Environment and Logistics

IV

General Counsel

IV

Department of the Army

 

Secretary

II

Under Secretary

III

Assistant Secretary—Civil Works

IV

Assistant Secretary—Financial Management/Comptroller

IV

Assistant Secretary—Acquisition, Logistics and Technology

IV

Assistant Secretary—Installations, Energy and Environment

IV

Assistant Secretary—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

IV

General Counsel

IV

Department of the Navy

 

Secretary

II

Under Secretary

III

Assistant Secretary—Financial Management/Comptroller

IV

Assistant Secretary—Energy, Installations and Environment

IV

Assistant Secretary—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Research, Development, and Acquisition

IV

General Counsel

IV

Joint Chiefs of Staffg

(Members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff are compensated under the military pay system rather than the Executive Schedule.)

Chairman

 

Vice Chairman

 

Chief of Staff (Air Force)

 

Chief of Staff (Army)

 

Chief of Naval Operations

 

Commandant of the Marine Corps

 

Chief of the National Guard Bureau

 

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

b. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

c. The CFO may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or may be designated by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)).

d. The position of Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Intelligence was made a presidential appointment requiring the advice and consent of the Senate under the provisions of P.L. 111-84, Division A, Title IX, Subtitle A, §906(a) (123 Stat. 2428) and was filled by a confirmed nomination for the first time during the 113th Congress.

e. The position of Assistant Secretary for Readiness and Force Management was established by P.L. 111-383, Title IX, §901(b)(4)(A)(i) and was filled for the first time during the 113th Congress.

f. The President may remove the Director of Operational Test and Evaluation from office. The law provides that "The President shall communicate the reasons for any such removal to both Houses of Congress" (10 U.S.C. §139(a)(1)).

g. The chairman and vice chairman serve two-year terms; other members serve four-year terms. See 10 U.S.C. §152(a) and 10 U.S.C. §154(a)(3).

Table 7. Department of Defense Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Ashton B. Carter

Secretary of Defense

01/07/15

02/12/15

36

Alissa M. Starzak

General Counsel—Army

01/13/15

12/14/15

335

John Conger

Prin. Dep. Under Sec.—Comptroller

03/04/15

12/14/15

285

Peter Levine

Dep. Chief Mgmt. Officer

03/04/15

05/23/15

80

Juan M. Garcia III

Asst. Sec.—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

03/19/15

Withdrawn 05/07/15

Stephen P. Welby

Asst. Sec.—Research and Engineering

03/19/15

12/14/15

270

Franklin R. Parker

Asst. Sec.—Navy—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

03/26/15

12/14/15

263

Gabriel Camarillo

Asst. Sec.—Air Force—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

04/13/15

12/16/15

247

Stephen C. Hedger

Asst. Sec.—Legislative Affairs

05/21/15

10/08/15

140

Joseph F. Dunford Jr.

Chairman—Joint Chiefs of Staff

05/21/15

07/29/15

69

Paul J. Selva

Vice Chairman—Joint Chiefs of Staff

05/21/15

07/27/15

67

John M. Richardson

Chief of Naval Operations

06/04/15

08/05/15

62

Mark A. Milley

Chief of Staff (Army)

06/04/15

08/05/15

62

Brad R. Carson

Under Sec.—Personnel and Readiness

07/08/15

Withdrawn 03/17/16

Robert B. Neller

Commandant of the Marine Corps

07/15/15

08/05/15

21

Elissa Slotkin

Asst. Sec.—International Security Affairs

07/30/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Marcel J. Lettre II

Under Sec.—Intelligence

08/05/15

12/16/15

133

Patrick J. Murphy

Under Sec.—Army

08/05/15

12/18/15

135

Ricardo A. Aguilera

Asst. Sec.—Air Force—Financial Management

09/21/15

02/01/16

133

Janine A. Davidson

Under Sec.—Navy

09/21/15

03/17/16

178

Lisa S. Disbrow

Under Sec.—Air Force

09/21/15

01/20/16

121

Eric K. Fanning

Secretary of the Army

09/21/15

05/17/16

239

Jennifer M. O'Connor

General Counsel

09/21/15

06/13/16

266

Phillip H. Cullom

Asst. Sec.—Energy, Installations, and Environment

11/19/15

Withdrawn 01/11/16

Todd A. Weiler

Asst. Sec.—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

01/11/16

03/17/16

66

Joseph L. Lengyel

Chief of the National Guard Bureau

04/04/16

06/29/16

86

Susan S. Gibson

Inspector General—National Reconnaissance Office

04/18/16

09/15/16

150

David L. Goldfein

Chief of Staff (Air Force)

04/25/16

06/29/16

65

Thomas Atkin

Asst. Sec.—Homeland Defense and Global Security

05/26/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Daniel P. Feehan

Asst. Sec.—Readiness and Force Management

05/26/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Glenn Fine

Inspector General

09/28/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Robert P. Storch

Inspector General—National Security Agency

11/29/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

147.8

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

133.0

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Department of Education

Table 8. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Education

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Director—Institute of Education Sciencesa

II

Inspector Generalb

III + 3%c

Under Secretary

III

Chief Financial Officerd

IV

Assistant Secretary—Civil Rights

IV

Assistant Secretary—Communications and Outreach

IV

Assistant Secretary—Elementary and Secondary Education

IV

Assistant Secretary—Legislation and Congressional Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development

IV

Assistant Secretary—Postsecondary Education

IV

Assistant Secretary—Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

IV

Assistant Secretary—Vocational and Adult Education

IV

General Counsel

IV

Commissioner—Rehabilitation Services Administration

V

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. This position has a six-year term and specified qualifications. See 20 U.S.C. §9514.

b. The President may remove IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

c. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

d. The CFO may be appointed by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)). In previous Congresses, the CFO for the Department of Education has been appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Table 9. Department of Education Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Ericka M. Miller

Asst. Sec.—Postsecondary Education

03/04/15

Withdrawn 06/08/15

Michael K. Yudin

Asst. Sec.—Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

03/04/15

06/02/15

90

Julius L. Horwich

Asst. Sec.—Legislation and Congressional Affairs

05/11/15

07/14/16

430

John B. King

Secretary of Education

02/11/16

03/14/16

32

Matthew Lehrich

Asst. Sec.—Communications and Outreach

04/07/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Amy McIntosh

Asst. Sec.—Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development

04/07/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Antonia Whalen

Asst. Sec.—Elementary and Secondary Education

04/07/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

184.0

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

90.0

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Department of Energy

Table 10. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Energy

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Inspector Generala

III + 3%b

Under Secretary—Management & Performance

III

Under Secretary—Nuclear Security/Administrator—National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)

III

Under Secretary—Science

III

Director—Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy

III

Principal Deputy Administrator—NNSA

IV

Deputy Administrator—Defense Programs, NNSA

IV

Deputy Administrator—Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation, NNSA

IV

Administrator—Energy Information Administration

IV

Assistant Secretary—Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability

IV

Assistant Secretary—Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

IV

Assistant Secretary—Environmental Management

IV

Assistant Secretary—Fossil Energy

IV

Assistant Secretary—Nuclear Energy

IV

Assistant Secretary—Policy and International Affairs

IV

Chief Financial Officer

IV

Director—Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Managementc

IV

Director—Office of Economic Impact and Diversityd

IV

Director—Office of Science

IV

General Counsel

IV

Source: CRS using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

b. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

c. According to a department spokesperson, the Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management was abolished as of September 2010. However, the position is still listed in the U.S. Code (42 U.S.C. §10224).

d. This position is referred to as Director—Office of Minority Economic Impact in the Senate nominations database of the Legislative Information System. Within the Department of Energy, it is referred to as the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity.

Table 11. Department of Energy Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Monica C. Regalbuto

Asst. Sec.—Environmental Management

02/25/15

08/05/15

161

Jonathan Elkind

Asst. Sec.—International Affairs

04/13/15

08/05/15

114

Victoria M.B. Wassmer

Under Sec.

07/27/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Cherry A. Murray

Dir.—Office of Science

08/05/15

12/10/15

127

John F. Kotek

Asst. Sec.—Nuclear Energy

10/05/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Dimitri F. Kusnezov

Dep. Admin. Defense Programs—National Nuclear Security Administration

04/07/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Susan F. Beard

Inspector General

04/18/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

134.0

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

127.0

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules.

Department of Health and Human Services

Table 12. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Health and Human Services

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Inspector Generala

III + 3%b

Administrator—Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

III

Administrator—Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

IV

Assistant Secretary—Aging

IV

Assistant Secretary—Children and Familiesc

IV

Assistant Secretary—Health

IV

Assistant Secretary—Legislation

IV

Assistant Secretary—Planning and Evaluation

IV

Assistant Secretary—Preparedness and Response

IV

Assistant Secretary—Financial Resources/Chief Financial Officerd

IV

Commissioner—Food and Drugs

IV

Director—National Institutes of Health

IV

General Counsel

IV

Commissioner—Children, Youth, and Families

V

Commissioner—Administration for Native Americans

V

Director—Indian Health Servicee

V

Surgeon Generalf

g

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

b. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

c. This position is called Assistant Secretary for Family Support in the Senate nominations database of the Legislative Information System. Within the Department of Health and Human Services, it is referred to as the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.

d. The CFO may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or may be designated by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(l)). The Assistant Secretary for Financial Resources is HHS's designated CFO.

e. This position has a four-year term; a director may serve more than one term. See 25 U.S.C. §1661(a)(2).

f. This position has a four-year term and specified qualifications. See 42 U.S.C. §205.

g. The Surgeon General is compensated as a commissioned officer at level O-9. See 37 U.S.C. §201.

Table 13. Department of Health and Human Services Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Rafael J. Lopez

Commissioner—Children, Youth, and Families

01/08/15

08/05/15

209

Maria Cancian

Asst. Sec.—Family Support

02/05/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Karen B. DeSalvo

Asst. Sec.—Health

05/07/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Andrew M. Slavitt

Admin.—Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

07/13/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Mary K. Wakefield

Dep. Sec.

07/13/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Robert M. Califf

Commissioner—Food and Drugs

09/16/15

02/24/16

161

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

185.0

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

185.0

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate.

b. This position is called Assistant Secretary for Family Support in the Senate nominations database of the Legislative Information System. Within the Department of Health and Human Services, it is referred to as the Assistant Secretary for Children and Families.

Department of Homeland Security

Table 14. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Homeland Security

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Inspector Generala

III + 3%b

Under Secretary—Intelligence and Analysis

III

Under Secretary—Management

III

Under Secretary—National Protection and Programs Directorate

III

Under Secretary—Science and Technology

III

Director—U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

III

Commissioner—U.S. Customs and Border Protection

III

Assistant Secretary—Policy

IV

Assistant Secretary—Transportation Security Administrationc

IV

Assistant Secretary—U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcementd

IV

Chief Financial Officere

IV

General Counsel

IV

Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard

Admiralf

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Administrator

II

Deputy Administrator—Protection and National Preparedness

III

Deputy Administrator

III

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

b. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

c. Within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), this position is also sometimes known as the Administrator—Transportation Security Administration.

d. Within the DHS, this position is also sometimes known as the Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

e. The CFO may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or may be designated by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)).

f. The Commandant of the Coast Guard is compensated under the military pay system, rather than the Executive Schedule, with the grade of admiral.

Table 15. Department of Homeland Security Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Russell C. Deyo

Under Sec.—Management

01/08/15

04/16/15

98

Peter V. Neffenger

Asst. Sec.—Transportation Security Administration

04/28/15

06/22/15

55

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

76.5

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

76.5

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

Department of Housing and Urban Development

Table 16. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Housing and Urban Development

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Inspector Generala

III + 3%b

Assistant Secretary—Administration

IV

Assistant Secretary—Community Planning and Development

IV

Assistant Secretary—Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations

IV

Assistant Secretary—Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity

IV

Assistant Secretary—Housing/Federal Housing Administration Commissioner

IV

Assistant Secretary—Policy Development and Research

IV

Assistant Secretary—Public and Indian Housing

IV

Chief Financial Officerc

IV

General Counsel

IV

President—Government National Mortgage Association

IV

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

b. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

c. The CFO may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or may be designated by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)).

Table 17. Department of Housing and Urban Development Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

No appointment action during the 114th Congress

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

Department of the Interior

Table 18. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of the Interior

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Special Trustee for American Indians

a

Inspector Generalb

III + 3%c

Assistant Secretary—Fish and Wildlife and Parks

IV

Assistant Secretary—Indian Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Insular Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Land and Minerals Management

IV

Assistant Secretary—Policy, Management, and Budget/Chief Financial Officer

IV

Assistant Secretary—Water and Science

IV

Chair—National Indian Gaming Commission

IV

Solicitor

IV

Director—National Park Service

V

Director—Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement

V

Commissioner—Bureau of Reclamation

V

Director—Bureau of Land Management

V

Director—U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

V

Director—U.S. Geological Survey

V

Commissioner—Indian Affairsd

V

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The Special Trustee is to be paid "at a rate determined by the Secretary to be appropriate for the position, but not less than the rate of basic pay payable at Level II of the Executive Schedule" (25 U.S.C. §4042(b)(2)).

b. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

c. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

d. This position (provided for at 25 U.S.C. §1) has been vacant since 1981.

Table 19. Department of the Interior Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Kristen J. Sarri

Asst. Sec.—Policy, Management, and Budget

01/08/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Suzette M. Kimball

Dir.—U.S. Geological Survey

02/26/15

12/18/15

295

Mary L. Kendall

Inspector General

06/08/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Department of Justice

Table 20. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Justice

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Positiona

Pay Level

Attorney General

I

Deputy Attorney General

II

Inspector Generalb

III + 3%c

Director—Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosivesd

III

Director—Federal Bureau of Investigatione

II

Administrator—Drug Enforcement

III

Associate Attorney General

III

Solicitor General

III

Assistant Attorney General—Antitrust Division

IV

Assistant Attorney General—Civil Division

IV

Assistant Attorney General—Civil Rights Division

IV

Assistant Attorney General—Criminal Division

IV

Assistant Attorney General—Environment and Natural Resources Division

IV

Assistant Attorney General—Legislative Affairs

IV

Assistant Attorney General—National Security Division

IV

Assistant Attorney General—Office of Justice Programs

IV

Assistant Attorney General—Office of Legal Counsel

IV

Assistant Attorney General—Office of Legal Policy

IV

Assistant Attorney General—Tax Division

IV

Deputy Administrator—Drug Enforcement Administration

IV

Director—Community Relations Servicef

IV

Director—U.S. Marshals Service

IV

Special Counsel—Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practicesg

h

Director—Violence Against Women Office

V

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Positions in this column do not include the U.S. attorney and U.S. marshal positions. The chief financial officer (CFO) position is also not listed here. Although the Department of Justice is included in the statute that provides presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed CFOs for all of the major executive branch agencies (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)), this provision is superseded by 28 U.S.C. §507, which provides that the Assistant Attorney General for Administration, appointed by the Attorney General with the approval of the President, shall be the CFO for the Department of Justice.

b. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

c. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

d. The position of Director—Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives was made a presidential appointment requiring the advice and consent of the Senate under the provisions of P.L. 109-177, Title V §504 (120 Stat. 247), enacted March 9, 2006. It was filled for the first time in the 113th Congress.

e. This position has a 10-year term. See 28 U.S.C. §532 note.

f. This position has a four-year term. See 42 U.S.C. §2000g.

g. This position has a four-year term. See 8 U.S.C. §1324b(c)(1).

h. "The Special Counsel for Immigration-Related Unfair Employment Practices is entitled to receive compensation at a rate not to exceed the rate now or hereinafter provided for grade GS-17 of the General Schedule," under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(c)(3).

Table 21. Department of Justice Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Loretta E. Lynch

Attorney General

01/07/15

04/23/15

106

Sally Q. Yates

Dep. Atty. General

01/08/15

05/13/15

125

Stuart F. Delery

Assoc. Atty. General

01/27/15

Returned 12/18/15a

Cono R. Namorato

Asst. Atty. General—Tax Division

02/25/15

Returned 12/18/15a

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

115.5

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

115.5

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Department of Labor

Table 22. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Labor

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Inspector Generala

III + 3%b

Assistant Secretary—Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Disability Employment Policy

IV

Assistant Secretary—Employee Benefits Security Administration

IV

Assistant Secretary—Employment and Training Administration

IV

Assistant Secretary—Mine Safety and Health Administration

IV

Assistant Secretary—Occupational Safety and Health Administration

IV

Assistant Secretary—Policy

IV

Assistant Secretary—Veterans' Employment and Training Service

IV

Chief Financial Officerc

IV

Commissioner—Bureau of Labor Statisticsd

IV

Solicitor

IV

Administrator—Wage and Hour Division

V

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

b. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

c. The CFO may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or may be designated by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)).

d. This position has a four-year term. See 29 U.S.C. §3.

Table 23. Department of Labor Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Adri D. Jayaratne

Asst. Sec.—Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs

01/08/15

12/10/16

702

Michael H. Michaud

Asst. Sec.—Veterans' Employment and Training

07/30/15

11/19/15

112

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

407.0

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

407.0

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

Department of State

Table 24. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of State

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Positiona

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Deputy Secretary—Management and Resources

II

Inspector Generalb

III + 3%c

Under Secretary—Arms Control and International Security

III

Under Secretary—Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment

III

Under Secretary—Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rightsd

III

Under Secretary—Management

III

Under Secretary—Political Affairs

III

Under Secretary—Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs

III

Ambassador-at-Large—Global Women's Issues

IV

Ambassador-at-Large—International Religious Freedom

IV

Ambassador-at-Large/Director—Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

IV

Ambassador-at-Large—War Crimes Issues

IV

Ambassador-at-Large/Coordinator—Counterterrorism

IV

Ambassador-at-Large/Coordinator—U.S. Global AIDS

IV

Chief of Protocol

IV

Assistant Secretary—African Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Arms Control, Verification and Compliance

IV

Assistant Secretary—Conflict and Stabilization Operations/ Coordinator—Reconstruction and Stabilization

IV

Assistant Secretary—Consular Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor

IV

Assistant Secretary—Diplomatic Securitye

IV

Assistant Secretary—East Asian and Pacific Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Economic and Business Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Educational and Cultural Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Energy Resources

IV

Assistant Secretary—European and Eurasian Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Intelligence and Research

IV

Assistant Secretary—International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—International Organizational Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—International Security and Nonproliferation

IV

Assistant Secretary—Legislative Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Near Eastern Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Political-Military Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Population, Refugees, and Migration

IV

Assistant Secretary—South and Central Asian Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Western Hemisphere Affairs

IV

Chief Financial Officerf

IV

Director General—Foreign Serviceg

IV

Director—Office of Foreign Missionse

IV

Legal Adviser

IV

International Organizations

 

U.S. Representative—United Nations (UN)

II

U.S. Representative—Organization of American States

h

U.S. Deputy Representative—UN

i

U.S. Representative—Economic and Social Council, UN

i

U.S. Representative—Management and Reform, UN

i

U.S. Alternate Representative—Special Political Affairs, UN

i

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The positions in this column do not include chiefs of mission in overseas posts or Foreign Service officers. In addition, certain officers of the State Department may be required to have certain qualifications. See 22 U.S.C. §2651a(g).

b. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

c. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

d. This position was formerly known as the Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs.

e. From 1998 to 2008, each time an individual has been nominated to and confirmed for the position of Assistant Secretary for Diplomatic Security, he has simultaneously been nominated to and confirmed for the position of Director of Foreign Missions. Since 2013, distinct nominations have been made to each position.

f. The CFO may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or may be designated by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)).

g. By law, incumbent must be a current or former career member of the Foreign Service (22 U.S.C. §3928).

h. The salary for the U.S. Representative to the Organization of the American States is linked to the pay for chiefs of mission.

i. The salaries for these positions within the UN are administratively determined.

Table 25. Department of State Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Michele T. Bond

Asst. Sec.—Consular Affairs

01/08/15

08/05/15

209

Jennifer A. Haverkamp

Asst. Sec.—Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

01/08/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Brian J. Egan

Legal Adviser

01/16/15

02/12/16

392

Gentry O. Smith

Dir.—Office of Foreign Missions

01/29/15

06/15/15

137

Sarah E. Mendelson

U.S. Rep.—Economic and Social Council, UN

02/12/15

10/08/15

238

David M. Robinson

Coordinator—Reconstruction and Stabilization

04/13/15

12/18/15

249

David M. Robinson

Asst. Sec.—Conflict and Stabilization

04/13/15

12/18/15

249

Mari C. Aponte

U.S. Rep.—Organization of American States

07/08/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Susan C. Amato

Amb.-at-Large/Dir.—Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

07/16/15

10/08/15

84

Thomas A. Shannon Jr.

Under Sec.—Political Affairs

09/21/15

02/12/16

144

Amos J. Hochstein

Asst. Sec.—Energy Resources

10/08/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Tina S. Kaidanow

Asst. Sec.—Political-Military Affairs

09/19/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Justin H. Siberell

Amb.-at-Large/Coordinator—Counterterrorism

09/19/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

212.8

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

223.5

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Department of Transportation

Table 26. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Transportation

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Under Secretary—Policy

II

Administrator—Federal Aviation Administrationa

II

Administrator—Federal Highway Administration

II

Inspector Generalb

III + 3%c

Administrator—Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

III

Administrator—Federal Railroad Administration

III

Administrator—Federal Transit Administration

III

Administrator—Maritime Administration

III

Administrator—National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

III

Administrator—Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

III

Assistant Secretary—Research and Technologyd

III

Assistant Secretary—Aviation and International Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Governmental Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Transportation Policy

IV

Chief Financial Officere

IV

General Counsel

IV

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. This position has a five-year term and specified qualifications. See 49 U.S.C. §106.

b. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3 (b)).

c. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

d. Under P.L. 113-76, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2014 (128 Stat. 574), the functions of the Research and Innovative Technology Administration were transferred to a newly created Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology, and the position of Administrator was redesignated as Assistant Secretary.

e. The CFO may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or may be designated by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)).

Table 27. Department of Transportation Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Therese W. McMillan

Admin.—Federal Transit Administration

01/08/15

Withdrawn 03/03/16

Carlos A. Monje Jr.

Asst. Sec.—Policy

01/13/15

03/16/15

62

Gregory G. Nadeau

Admin.—Federal Highway Administration

05/11/15

08/05/15

86

Marie T. Dominguez

Admin.—Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

06/02/15

08/05/15

64

Sarah E. Feinberg

Admin.—Federal Railroad Administration

06/02/15

10/28/15

148

Thomas F.S. Darling, III

Admin.—Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

08/05/15

07/14/16

344

Shoshana M. Lew

Chief Financial Officer

09/21/15

12/18/15

88

Blair Anderson

Under Sec.—Policy

05/11/16

07/14/16

64

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

122.3

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

86.0

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

Department of the Treasury

Table 28. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of the Treasury

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Inspector Generala

III + 3%b

Inspector General—Tax Administrationa

III + 3%b

Special Inspector General—Troubled Asset Relief Programa,c

III + 3%b

Commissioner of Internal Revenued

III

Comptroller of the Currencye

III

Director—Office of Financial Researchf

III

Under Secretary—Domestic Finance

III

Under Secretary—Terrorism and Financial Intelligence

III

Under Secretary—International Affairs

III

Assistant Secretary—Economic Policy

IV

Assistant Secretary—Financial Institutions

IV

Assistant Secretary—Financial Markets

IV

Assistant Secretary—Financial Stability

IV

Assistant Secretary—Intelligence and Analysis

IV

Assistant Secretary—International Financeg

IV

Assistant Secretary—International Markets and Development

IV

Assistant Secretary—Legislative Affairsg

IV

Assistant Secretary—Tax Policy

IV

Assistant Secretary—Terrorist Financing

IV

Chief Financial Officerh

IV

General Counsel

IV

Chief Counsel—Internal Revenue Service/Assistant General Counsel for Tax

V

Director of the Minti

SLj

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3 (b)).

b. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3 (e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

c. The position of Special Inspector General has the same removal provisions as other inspectors general (see table note a, above).

d. This position has a five-year term and specified qualifications. See 26 U.S.C. §7803(a)(1).

e. This position has a five-year term and a limitation on the President's removal power. See 12 U.S.C. §2.

f. This position has a six-year term and specified qualifications. See 12 U.S.C. §5342(b).

g. The U.S. Code provides that the department has two Deputy Under Secretaries appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. "When appointing each Deputy Under Secretary, the President may designate the Deputy Under Secretary as an Assistant Secretary" (31 U.S.C. §301(d)).

h. The CFO may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or may be designated by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)).

i. The position has a five-year term and a limitation on the President's removal power. See 31 U.S.C. §304(b).

j. According to the 2016 edition of the Plum Book, the Director of the United States Mint is a senior-level position (p. 132). With regard to pay for such positions, the Plum Book states, "Pay for SL [Senior Level] positions ranges from 120 percent of the rate of basic pay for GS-15, step 1 to the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule. For agencies without a certified SL performance appraisal system, SL members' pay may not exceed the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule. For agencies with a certified SL performance appraisal system, SL members' pay may not exceed the rate payable for level II of the Executive Schedule. SL members are not entitled to locality-based comparability payments." (p. 220).The Department of the Treasury received certification from the Office of Personnel Management for its performance appraisal system during the period covered by this report. See also 5 U.S.C. §5376 and 5 U.S.C. §5304(g)(2).

Table 29. Department of the Treasury Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date Nominated

Date Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Adewale Adeyemo

Asst. Sec.—International Markets and Development

01/16/15

Withdrawn 12/18/15

Brodi L. Fontenot

Chief Financial Officer

02/12/15

Withdrawn 09/12/16

Seth B. Carpenter

Asst. Sec.—Financial Markets

02/12/15

Withdrawn 05/11/16

Amias M. Gerety

Asst. Sec.—Financial Institutions

02/25/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Anne E. Wall

Asst. Sec.—Legislative Affairsb

02/25/15

06/24/15

119

Adam J. Szubin

Under Sec.—Terrorism and Financial Crimes

04/20/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Matthew R. Jeppson

Dir.—Mint

07/13/15

Returned 01/03/17a

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate.

b. The U.S. Code provides that the department has two Deputy Under Secretaries appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. "When appointing each Deputy Under Secretary, the President may designate the Deputy Under Secretary as an Assistant Secretary" (31 U.S.C. §301(d)). In the case of Anne E. Wall, the President did so.

Department of Veterans Affairs

Table 30. Full-Time PAS Positions in the Department of Veterans Affairs

(as of the end of the 114th Congress)

Position

Pay Level

Secretary

I

Deputy Secretary

II

Inspector Generala

III + 3%b

Under Secretary—Benefits

III

Under Secretary—Health

III

Under Secretary—Memorial Affairs

III

Assistant Secretary—Congressional and Legislative Affairs

IV

Assistant Secretary—Information and Technology

IV

Assistant Secretary—Policy and Planning

IV

Chief Financial Officerc

IV

Chairman—Board of Veterans' Appealsd

IV

General Counsel

IV

Source: Table created using data on agency websites and the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. The President may remove an IG from office, as he may remove most other appointed officials in the departments. In the case of an IG, however, the law provides that "[i]f an Inspector General is removed from office or is transferred to another position or location within an establishment, the President shall communicate in writing the reasons for any such removal or transfer to both Houses of Congress, not later than 30 days before the removal or transfer" (5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(b)).

b. Under the provisions of 5 U.S.C. Appx. §3(e), "The annual rate of basic pay for an inspector general (as defined under section 12(3)) shall be the rate payable for level III of the Executive Schedule under section 5314 of title 5, United States Code, plus 3 percent."

c. The CFO may be appointed by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, or may be designated by the President from among agency officials who have been confirmed by the Senate for other positions (31 U.S.C. §901(a)(1)).

d. This position has a six-year term and limitations on the President's removal power. See 38 U.S.C. §7101(b).

Table 31. Department of Veterans Affairs Appointment Action During the 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Date
Nominated

Date
Confirmed

Days to
Confirm

LaVerne H. Council

Asst. Sec.—Information and Technology

03/19/15

06/23/15

96

David J. Shulkin

Under Sec.—Health

03/19/15

06/23/15

96

Michael J. Missal

Inspector General

10/05/15

04/19/16

197

Christopher E. O'Connor

Asst. Sec.—Congressional and Legislative Affairs

06/06/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Thomas J. Murphy

Under Sec.—Benefits

12/06/16

Returned 01/03/17a

Mean number of days to confirm a nomination

129.7

Median number of days to confirm a nomination

96.0

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Returned to the President under the provisions of Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate.

Appendix A. Presidential Nominations, 114th Congress

Table A-1. Nominations and Appointments to Full-Time Positions in Executive Departments, 114th Congress

Nominee

Position

Department

Date
Nominated

Date
Confirmed

Days to Confirm

Adewale Adeyemo

Asst. Sec.—International Markets and Development

TREAS

01/16/15

Withdrawn 12/18/15

Ricardo A. Aguilera

Asst. Sec.—Air Force—Financial Management

DOD

09/21/15

02/01/16

133

Susan C. Amato

Amb.-at-Large/Dir.—Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons

DOS

07/16/15

10/08/15

84

Blair Anderson

Under Sec.—Policy

DOT

05/11/16

07/14/16

64

Mari C. Aponte

U.S. Rep.—Organization of American States

DOS

07/08/15

Returned 01/03/17

Thomas Atkin

Asst. Sec.—Homeland Defense and Global Security

DOD

05/26/16

Returned 01/03/17

Susan F. Beard

Inspector General

DOE

04/18/16

Returned 01/03/17

Michele T. Bond

Asst. Sec.—Consular Affairs

DOS

01/08/15

08/05/15

209

Manson K. Brown

Asst. Sec.—Environmental Observation and Prediction

DOC

01/29/15

03/16/15

46

Robert M. Califf

Commissioner—Food and Drugs

HHS

09/16/15

02/24/16

161

Gabriel Camarillo

Asst. Sec.—Air Force—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

DOD

04/13/15

12/16/15

247

Maria Cancian

Asst. Sec.—Family Support

HHS

02/05/15

Returned 01/03/17

Seth B. Carpenter

Asst. Sec.—Financial Markets

TREAS

02/12/15

Withdrawn 05/11/16

Brad R. Carson

Under Sec.—Personnel and Readiness

DOD

07/08/15

Withdrawn 03/17/16

Ashton B. Carter

Secretary of Defense

DOD

01/07/15

02/12/15

36

John Conger

Prin. Dep. Under Sec.—Comptroller

DOD

03/04/15

12/14/15

285

LaVerne H. Council

Asst. Sec.—Information and Technology

DVA

03/19/15

06/23/15

96

Phillip H. Cullom

Asst. Sec.—Energy, Installations, and Environment

DOD

11/19/15

Withdrawn 01/11/16

Thomas F.S. Darling, III

Admin.—Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration

DOT

08/05/15

07/14/16

344

Janine A. Davidson

Under Sec.—Navy

DOD

09/21/15

03/17/16

178

Stuart F. Delery

Assoc. Atty. General

DOJ

01/27/15

Returned 12/18/15

Karen B. DeSalvo

Asst. Sec.—Health

HHS

05/07/15

Returned 01/03/17

Russell C. Deyo

Under Sec.—Management

DHS

01/08/15

04/16/15

98

Lisa S. Disbrow

Under Sec.—Air Force

DOD

09/21/15

01/20/16

121

Marie T. Dominguez

Admin.—Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration

DOT

06/02/15

08/05/15

64

Joseph F. Dunford Jr.

Chairman—Joint Chiefs of Staff

DOD

05/21/15

07/29/15

69

Brian J. Egan

Legal Adviser

DOS

01/16/15

02/12/16

392

Jonathan Elkind

Asst. Sec.—International Affairs

DOE

04/13/15

08/05/15

114

Eric K. Fanning

Secretary of the Army

DOD

09/21/15

05/17/16

239

Daniel P. Feehan

Asst. Sec.—Readiness and Force Management

DOD

05/26/16

Returned 01/03/17

Sarah E. Feinberg

Admin.—Federal Railroad Administration

DOT

06/02/15

10/28/15

148

Glenn Fine

Inspector General

DOD

09/28/16

Returned 01/03/17

Brodi L. Fontenot

Chief Financial Officer

TREAS

02/12/15

Withdrawn 09/12/16

Juan M. Garcia, III

Asst. Sec.—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

DOD

03/19/15

Withdrawn 05/07/15

Amias M. Gerety

Asst. Sec.—Financial Institutions

TREAS

02/25/15

Returned 01/03/17

Susan S. Gibson

Inspector General—NRO

DOD

04/18/16

09/15/16

150

David L. Goldfein

Chief of Staff (Air Force)

DOD

04/25/16

06/29/16

65

Peggy E. Gustafson

Inspector General

DOC

04/25/16

12/10/16

229

Steven M. Haro

Asst. Sec.—Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs

DOC

10/05/15

12/16/15

72

Jennifer A. Haverkamp

Asst. Sec.—Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs

DOS

01/08/15

Returned 01/03/17

Stephen C. Hedger

Asst. Sec.—Legislative Affairs

DOD

05/21/15

10/08/15

140

Amos J. Hochstein

Asst. Sec.—Energy Resources

DOS

10/08/15

Returned 01/03/17

Julius L. Horwich

Asst. Sec.—Legislation and Congressional Affairs

ED

05/11/15

07/14/16

430

Adri D. Jayaratne

Asst. Sec.—Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs

DOL

01/08/15

12/10/16

702

Matthew R. Jeppson

Dir.—Mint

TREAS

07/13/15

Returned 01/03/17

Tina S. Kaidanow

Asst. Sec.—Political-Military Affairs

DOS

09/19/16

Returned 01/03/17

Mary L. Kendall

Inspector General

DOI

06/08/15

Returned 01/03/17

Suzette M. Kimball

Dir.—U.S. Geological Survey

DOI

02/26/15

12/18/15

295

John B. King

Secretary of Education

ED

02/11/16

03/14/16

32

John F. Kotek

Asst. Sec.—Nuclear Energy

DOE

10/05/15

Returned 01/03/17

Dimitri F. Kusnezov

Dep. Admin. Defense Programs—National Nuclear Security Administration

DOE

04/07/16

Returned 01/03/17

Michelle K. Lee

Under Sec.—Intellectual Property/Dir. - USPTO

DOC

01/08/15

03/09/15

60

Matthew Lehrich

Asst. Sec.—Communications and Outreach

ED

04/07/16

Returned 01/03/17

Joseph L. Lengyel

Chief of the National Guard Bureau

DOD

04/04/16

06/29/16

86

Marcel J. Lettre, II

Under Sec.—Intelligence

DOD

08/05/15

12/16/15

133

Peter Levine

Dep. Chief Mgmt. Officer

DOD

03/04/15

05/23/15

80

Shoshana M. Lew

Chief Financial Officer

DOT

09/21/15

12/18/15

88

Rafael J. Lopez

Commissioner—Children, Youth, and Families

HHS

01/08/15

08/05/15

209

Loretta E. Lynch

Attorney General

DOJ

01/07/15

04/23/15

106

Willie E. May

Under Sec.—Standards and Technology

DOC

02/25/15

05/04/15

68

Amy McIntosh

Asst. Sec.—Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development

ED

04/07/16

Returned 01/03/17

Therese W. McMillan

Admin.—Federal Transit Administration

DOT

01/08/15

Withdrawn 03/03/16

Sarah E. Mendelson

U.S. Rep.—Economic and Social Council, UN

DOS

02/12/15

10/08/15

238

Michael H. Michaud

Asst. Sec.—Veterans' Employment and Training

DOL

07/30/15

11/19/15

112

Ericka M. Miller

Asst. Sec.—Postsecondary Education

ED

03/04/15

Withdrawn 06/08/15

Mark A. Milley

Chief of Staff (Army)

DOD

06/04/15

08/05/15

62

Michael J. Missal

Inspector General

DVA

10/05/15

04/19/16

197

Carlos A. Monje Jr.

Asst. Sec.—Policy

DOT

01/13/15

03/16/15

62

Patrick J. Murphy

Under Sec.—Army

DOD

08/05/15

12/18/15

135

Thomas J. Murphy

Under Sec.—Benefits

DVA

12/06/16

Returned 01/03/17

Cherry A. Murray

Dir.—Office of Science

DOE

08/05/15

12/10/15

127

Gregory G. Nadeau

Admin.—Federal Highway Administration

DOT

05/11/15

08/05/15

86

Cono R. Namorato

Asst. Atty. General—Tax Division

DOJ

02/25/15

Returned 12/18/15

Peter V. Neffenger

Asst. Sec.—Transportation Security Administration

DHS

04/28/15

06/22/15

55

Robert B. Neller

Commandant of the Marine Corps

DOD

07/15/15

08/05/15

21

Jennifer M. O'Connor

General Counsel

DOD

09/21/15

06/13/16

266

Christopher E. O'Connor

Asst. Sec.—Congressional and Legislative Affairs

DVA

06/06/16

Returned 01/03/17

Franklin R. Parker

Asst. Sec.—Navy—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

DOD

03/26/15

12/14/15

263

Jeffrey M. Prieto

General Counsel

USDA

03/25/15

07/29/15

126

Monica C. Regalbuto

Asst. Sec.—Environmental Management

DOE

02/25/15

08/05/15

161

John M. Richardson

Chief of Naval Operations

DOD

06/04/15

08/05/15

62

David M. Robinson

Coordinator—Reconstruction and Stabilization

DOS

04/13/15

12/18/15

249

David M. Robinson

Asst. Sec.—Conflict and Stabilization

DOS

04/13/15

12/18/15

249

Kristen J. Sarri

Asst. Sec.—Policy, Management, and Budget

DOI

01/08/15

Returned 01/03/17

Paul J. Selva

Vice Chairman—Joint Chiefs of Staff

DOD

05/21/15

07/27/15

67

Thomas A. Shannon Jr.

Under Sec.—Political Affairs

DOS

09/21/15

02/12/16

144

David J. Shulkin

Under Sec.—Health

DVA

03/19/15

06/23/15

96

Justin H. Siberell

Amb.-at-Large/Coordinator—Counterterrorism

DOS

09/19/16

Returned 01/03/17

Andrew M. Slavitt

Admin.—Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

HHS

07/13/15

Returned 01/03/17

Elissa Slotkin

Asst. Sec.—International Security Affairs

DOD

07/30/15

Returned 01/03/17

Gentry O. Smith

Dir.—Office of Foreign Missions

DOS

01/29/15

06/15/15

137

Alissa M. Starzak

General Counsel—Army

DOD

01/13/15

12/14/15

335

Robert P. Storch

Inspector General—NSA

DOD

11/29/16

Returned 01/03/17

Adam J. Szubin

Under Sec.—Terrorism and Financial Crimes

TREAS

04/20/15

Returned 01/03/17

Mary K. Wakefield

Dep. Sec.

HHS

07/13/15

Returned 01/03/17

Anne E. Wall

Asst. Sec.—Legislative Affairs

TREAS

02/25/15

06/24/15

119

Victoria M.B. Wassmer

Under Sec.

DOE

07/27/15

Returned 01/03/17

Todd A. Weiler

Asst. Sec.—Manpower and Reserve Affairs

DOD

01/11/16

03/17/16

66

Stephen P. Welby

Asst. Sec.—Research and Engineering

DOD

03/19/15

12/14/15

270

Antonia Whalen

Asst. Sec.—Elementary and Secondary Education

ED

04/07/16

Returned 01/03/17

Sally Q. Yates

Dep. Atty. General

DOJ

01/08/15

05/13/15

125

Michael K. Yudin

Asst. Sec.—Special Education and Rehabilitative Services

ED

03/04/15

06/02/15

90

Mean number of days to confirm

156.1

Median number of days to confirm

125.5

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

Note: For a complete list of departmental abbreviations, see Appendix B.

Table A-2. Appointment Action, Executive Departments, 114th Congress

Department

Positions

Nominations

Individual Nominees

Confirmations

Returned

Withdrawn

Recess Appointments

Mean Days to Confirm

Median Days to Confirm

Agriculture

14

1

1

1

0

0

0

126.0

126.0

Commerce

23

5

5

5

0

0

0

95.0

68.0

Defense

62

32

32

24

5

3

0

146.2

133.0

Education

16

7

7

3

3

1

0

184.0

90.0

Energy

23

7

7

3

4

0

0

134.0

127.0

Health and Human Services

19

6

6

2

4

0

0

185.0

185.0

Homeland Security

18

2

2

2

0

0

0

76.5

76.5

Housing and Urban Development

13

0

0

0

0

0

0

NA

NA

Interior

19

3

3

1

2

0

0

295.0

295.0

Justice

24

4

4

2

2

0

0

115.5

115.5

Labor

15

2

2

2

0

0

0

407.0

407.0

State

49

12

13

8

5

0

0

212.8

223.5

Transportation

18

8

8

7

0

1

0

122.3

86.0

Treasury

25

7

7

1

3

3

0

119.0

119.0

Veterans Affairs

12

5

5

3

2

0

0

129.7

96.0

Total

350

102

101

64

30

8

0

156.1a

125.5a

Source: Table created by CRS using data from the LIS Senate nominations database at http://www.lis.gov/nomis/.

a. Mean and median days to confirm are calculated based on the data found in Table A-1.

Appendix B. Abbreviations of Departments

Table B-1. Department Abbreviations

DHS

Department of Homeland Security

DOC

Department of Commerce

DOD

Department of Defense

DOE

Department of Energy

DOI

Department of the Interior

DOJ

Department of Justice

DOL

Department of Labor

DOS

Department of State

DOT

Department of Transportation

DVA

Department of Veterans Affairs

ED

Department of Education

HHS

Department of Health and Human Services

HUD

Department of Housing and Urban Development

TREAS

Department of the Treasury

USDA

Department of Agriculture

Source: CRS.

Author Contact Information

[author name scrubbed], Senior Research Librarian ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])
[author name scrubbed], Senior Research Librarian ([email address scrubbed], [phone number scrubbed])

Footnotes

1.

Full-time departmental presidential appointments with Senate confirmation (PAS positions) that are not covered in this report include U.S. attorney and U.S. marshal positions in the Department of Justice; most Foreign Service and diplomatic positions in the Department of State; and the officer corps in the military services. Nominees to these positions are generally submitted in groups, often with dozens or hundreds of names appearing in a single nomination, and tend to be of a noncontroversial nature.

2.

A collection of such reports may be found at http://www.crs.gov/search/#/0?termsToSearch=Executive%20%26%20Judicial%20Branch%20Appointments&orderBy=Date&navIds=4294931003.

3.

Senate Rule XXXI, paragraph 6 of the Standing Rules of the Senate provides that "Nominations neither confirmed nor rejected during the session at which they are made shall not be acted upon at any succeeding session without being again made to the Senate by the President; and if the Senate shall adjourn or take a recess for more than thirty days, all nominations pending and not finally acted upon at the time of taking such adjournment or recess shall be returned by the Secretary to the President, and shall not again be considered unless they shall again be made to the Senate by the President." U.S. Congress, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration, Senate Manual, 113th Cong., 1st sess., S. Doc. 113-1 (Washington: GPO, 2014), p. 59.

4.

For more information on floor procedure related to Senate consideration of nominations, see CRS Report RL31980, Senate Consideration of Presidential Nominations: Committee and Floor Procedure, by [author name scrubbed].

5.

Notably, on January 3, 2014, nearly all nominations were returned to the President under Senate rules, between the first and second session of the 113th Congress. No unanimous consent agreement was reached that nominations received in the first session remain as status quo notwithstanding Senate Rule XXXI (which requires nominations not acted upon to be returned to the President at the end of the session). In most cases, the President re-nominated those individuals whose nominations had been returned to him.

6.

See footnote 1 for a list of full-time positions not included in this report.

7.

U.S. Office of Personnel Management, "Salary Table No. 2016-EX," available at https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/pay-leave/salaries-wages/salary-tables/16Tables/exec/html/EX.aspx.

8.

In some cases, the title drawn from the Legislative Information System (LIS) database is expanded upon for clarity in the second table. For example, Todd A. Weiler was nominated to be Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Department of Defense (DOD). His nomination, as shown in the LIS database, does not indicate to which assistant secretary position he was nominated; it merely states that he was nominated as an assistant secretary. In the section on DOD, the second table shows that he was nominated to be Assistant Secretary for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.