For Immediate Release
Washington, D.C. – Executive Director Chad Hooper of the Professional Managers Association (PMA) – formed in 1981 by IRS Managers as a national membership association representing the interests of professional managers, management officials and non-bargaining unit employees in the federal government – released the following statement regarding the administration’s announcement that President Biden intends to nominate Tristan Leavitt to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB):
“PMA enthusiastically supports and applauds President Biden’s intent to nominate Tristan Leavitt to serve on the Merit Systems Protection Board. The MSPB is the primary adjudicative body protecting the rights of federal employees and equitable delivery of taxpayer services. Every day the MSPB exists without a quorum – and for nearly four years without any board members at all – the integrity of our federal workforce is in jeopardy,” Hooper said. “Still, it is not just about filling the Board’s seats, we are also committed to ensuring well-qualified and -equipped individuals sit on the MSPB. With the nomination of Leavitt, we have no doubt that goal is maintained.”
“Leavitt has vast experience defending employee rights. Leavitt spent a year and a half at the Office of Special Counsel, including for a time as Acting Special Counsel. Leavitt also has experience at the MSPB, serving as general counsel and as chief executive and administrative officer in the absence of any Senate-confirmed Board Members. Leavitt has also promoted bipartisan, employee-focused legislation during his time working for Congress. In both the Executive and Legislative branches, Leavitt has proven his capacity to effectively serve the federal workforce,” Hooper continued.
“PMA has already vigorously endorsed President Biden’s two democratic nominees, Cathy Anna Harris and Raymond Limon, to serve on the MSPB. With Leavitt, the Senate will now have three extremely well-qualified and bipartisan nominees to serve on the Board. With this well-qualified, bipartisan slate of nominees, there should be no holdup. Once these nominees are confirmed, they can immediately get to work minimizing the almost 3,000-case backlog, providing agencies finality in their disputes, and mitigating backpay due to reinstated employees. We continue to urge the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee to advance these nominees swiftly and provide a full Senate vote of confirmation,” Hooper concluded.
