Duval Times

Senator Rick Scott has aligned with Senator Rand Paul and other members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee in a formal request to Acting Director Robert Shriver III of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The senators are seeking detailed information regarding the conversion of Biden administration political appointees into permanent nonpolitical positions, a practice known as "burrowing."

The letter highlights existing legislation that mandates OPM to deliver quarterly reports to Congress about such conversions. As part of their oversight responsibilities, the committee requires up-to-date data on these conversions to ensure the federal workforce remains free from partisan influence. The senators emphasize that maintaining public trust in government is contingent upon this integrity.

The communication underscores that while OPM has submitted some reports for 2024, they only extend through June 30. This leaves room for potential burrowing during the remaining months of President Biden's term. The most recent report documented seven instances of burrowing, with five approved by OPM and two pending approval. Notably, four approved cases involved significant salary increases.

The letter also cites a previous case involving Leandra English, who transitioned from a political role under the Obama administration to a career position at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), subsequently leading to legal action against President Trump over CFPB leadership.

The senators have requested comprehensive details by November 22, 2024. They seek an unredacted list of individuals requesting conversion from June 30, 2024, onwards, including personal details and employment history. Additionally, they request similar information for January through June 2024 and weekly updates until January 20, 2025.