Multiple Biden Admin Officials Held Their Positions In Violation Of Federal Law: Reports

Multiple Biden administration officials are in office in violation of federal law, according to the nation’s top government watchdog.

Five separate reports from the Government Accountability Office indicated that the officials are not working in compliance with government regulations. “acting” While Executive Branch posts are vacant, these roles have occupied their offices for far too long, violating the Federal Vacancies Reform Act. These positions include a member of Office of Management and Budget, an Assistant Secretary of ICE and a high ranking official at the Department of Justice.

Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998 “establishes requirements for temporarily filling vacant positions in Executive Branch agencies that require presidential appointment and Senate confirmation,” The GAO reports on its activities Website. “This act identifies who may temporarily serve, for how long, and what happens when no one is serving under the act and the position is vacant.” To report violations of law, the GAO, an agency within the legislative branch, sends letters to Congress and the president.

The following officials have remained in their positions beyond the bounds of federal law:

Deidre HarrisonThe acting Controller of Federal Financial Management, White House Office of Management and BudgetAllison Randall, the acting Director of the DOJ’s Office on Violence Against Women;Tae D. JohnsonICE’s acting Director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement.Karen Freeman, Craig Hart and Ann Marie YastishockAll of them served as Assistant Administrators of the Bureau for Asia in the U.S. Agency for International Development.Charlotte A. DyeThe Federal Labor Relations Authority’s acting General Counsel is.

PAS positions are government positions that require Senate confirmation and presidential appointment. The Federal Vacancies Reform Act provides a way for those positions to be filled when a new president is elected or an official leaves their position during the presidency. “acting” The official period is 210 days. This time can be extended up to 90 days if a new president is installed, or for a total length of 300 days. The acting role in each office is filled by the subordinate. However, the president can nominate someone to fill the position — either “an individual serving in another PAS position; or a senior agency officer or employee who has served for a minimum period of time prior to the vacancy.”

Acting officers can fill the vacancies while the Senate considers the nominations. After a nominee is confirmed by the Senate, the person taking the office is done. Once the permissible service period under the law expires, the specific government office must remain vacant. The head of each agency cannot assume the duties of the vacant offices.

According to the GAO Harrison served as acting Controller from March 2021. While a nomination was being considered, she was allowed to continue her service. However, she was allowed to continue serving in violation of Act from August 2, 2022. Randall served in violation of the Act since May 26, 2021. Johnson served since November 16, 2021. Dye served since November 16, 20,21. In violation of law, Freeman, Hart, Yastishock, and Yastishock all served between November 16, 2021 and August 8, 2022.

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