New bipartisan Architect of the Capitol provision could grant congressional oversight for the first time
Proactive measures to prevent a repeat of the recent misconduct saga that led to the firing of former Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton have been introduced in Congress as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the upcoming fiscal year. Under the new bipartisan legislation, Congress would have the sole power to fire any future officeholders for the first time. Its language provides for the establishment of a special oversight commission that would both hire and remove permanent appointees, who currently serve at the pleasure of the sitting president. Advocates say it could potentially help fill the vacancy left in the wake of Blanton’s dismissal earlier this year and help buck an even longer trend of successive appointment delays that dates to the mid-90s. New York representative Joseph D. Morelle said it “just seemed as though the system needs to be designed to protect the interests of the people here — members, staff … and everyday Americans who come to the...
Proactive measures to prevent a repeat of the recent misconduct saga that led to the firing of former Architect of the Capitol Brett Blanton have been introduced in Congress as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for the upcoming fiscal year.
Under the new bipartisan legislation, Congress would have the sole power to fire any future officeholders for the first time. Its language provides for the establishment of a special oversight commission that would both hire and remove permanent appointees, who currently serve at the pleasure of the sitting president. Advocates say it could potentially help fill the vacancy left in the wake of Blanton’s dismissal earlier this year and help buck an even longer trend of successive appointment delays that dates to the mid-90s.
New York representative Joseph D. Morelle said it “just seemed as though the system needs to be designed to protect the interests of the people here — members, staff … and everyday Americans who come to the...
