WASHINGTON—House Committee on Oversight and Reform Ranking Member James Comer (R-Ky.) today commended President Trump for signing an executive order to rein in the unelected, unaccountable federal workforce with policy-making authority.

“Our Founding Fathers never envisioned a massive unelected, unaccountable federal government with the power to create policies that impact Americans’ everyday lives. President Trump has long pledged to take on this bureaucracy and restore power to the people by draining the swamp. Today, President Trump again delivered on his promise by signing an executive order that will help make bureaucrats who have the ability to create and implement policy more accountable for their actions. I applaud President Trump’s efforts and I look forward to working with him to continue to strengthen transparency and accountability in the federal government.”

President Trump’s executive order creates a new Schedule F for federal employees. Prior to the growth of the Executive Branch, policy-making positions were traditionally held by appointees. However, with the growth of the bureaucracy, career civil servants came to hold the positions. Civil servants are not appointed, and, as such, are not held accountable by the voters, the president, or anyone else. This executive order will strengthen accountability by requiring civil servants holding policy-making positions to be accountable to the president.

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