Office of Management and Budget

Sally Katzen Statement to House Governmental Management, Information, and Technology Subcommittee, 12/04/2000

STATEMENT OF
THE HONORABLE SALLY KATZEN
DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR MANAGEMENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT REFORM
SUBCOMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENT MANAGEMENT,
INFORMATION, AND TECHNOLOGY
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

December 4, 2000

Mr. Chairman and members of the Subcommittee, I thank you for inviting me here today to discuss the implementation of the Presidential Transition Act. Given the events since November 7, 2000, we do not know who the next President will be. Nonetheless, much work has already been done, and we are ready to ensure that a smooth transition from this Administration to the President-elect, whoever that may be, will occur.

 

The Presidential Transition Act (Act) provides for an efficient transfer of authority from one Administration to the next and outlines specific roles for a number of Federal agencies, including the General Services Administration (GSA), the Office of Personnel Management, the Office of Presidential Personnel, and the U.S. Archivist.

 

Although OMB does not have a specific role outlined in the Act, OMB has been doing its part in assisting the transition process. As you know, OMB was instrumental in obtaining funding for the Presidential transition, and helping to secure funding in the continuing resolution--funding that would have otherwise not been available for the incoming Administration. The $5.3 million in funds that was provided for the incoming President is available for the GSA to release, once the Administrator determines that there is a clear victor in the presidential election.

 

In addition, OMB, like every other Federal agency, is doing everything we can--preparing briefing materials on the organization, function, and duties of our organization--to assist the President- elect and his staff. We are preparing to share that material with the next OMB Director or other appropriate representatives of a President-elect. The delay in identifying the President-elect has not affected that work.

 

As you know, the bulk of OMB's staff are career professionals whose mission is to serve the Presidency and the Nation, not any individual President. Our senior career staff is actively working with the Director and other OMB leadership to prepare for the transition. The expertise and institutional memory of OMB's career staff will be invaluable to the next President, regardless of which candidate ultimately is inaugurated.

 

In addition, several weeks ago, OMB began work on an Executive Order that the President issued on November 27, 2000, creating a transition-coordinating council. OMB Director Jacob J. Lew serves as a member. The Council will provide the President-elect's team with coordinated services and will ensure that we are as prepared as we can be for an orderly transition to the new administration. Specifically, the Council will oversee the transition activities of the agencies and departments and direct that training materials and orientation sessions be prepared for appointees nominated by the President-elect. In addition, the work of the Council will memorialize the process under which the President's appointees and the President-elect's appointees will collaborate during the transition process.

 

The Administration is seeking to do whatever we can in the way of providing transition assistance on a parallel basis to both candidates. We at OMB are prepared to do our part in that process.