Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate June 29, 2011. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Eliminates the requirement of Senate approval (advice and consent) of specified presidentially-appointed positions in federal agencies and departments, as follows: Department of Agriculture: (1) Assistant Secretary for Administration, (2) Administrator of the Rural Utilities Services, and (3) all members of the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation; Department of Commerce: Chief Scientist, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Department of Defense (DOD): (1) all members of the National Security Education Board, and (2) Director of the Selective Service System; Department of Education: (1) Assistant Secretary for Management, and (2) Commissioner for Education Statistics; Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; Department of Homeland Security (DHS): (1) Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness, (2) Assistant Administrator for Grant Programs, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), (3) Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration, (4) Director of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement, (5) Chief Medical Officer, and (6) Assistant Secretaries for Health Affairs, Legislative Affairs, and Public Affairs; Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; Department of Justice (DOJ): (1) Directors of the Bureaus of Justice Statistics and Justice Assistance, (2) Director of the National Institute of Justice, (3) Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and (4) Director of the Office for Victims of Crime; Department of Labor: (1) Assistant Secretaries for Administration and Management and for Public Affairs, and (2) Director of the Women's Bureau; Department of State: Assistant Secretaries for Public Affairs and for Administration; Department of Transportation (DOT): (1) Assistant Secretaries for Budget and Programs and for Administration, (2) Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and (3) Administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; Department of the Treasury: (1) Assistant Secretaries for Public Affairs and for Management, and (2) Treasurer of the United States; Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Assistant Secretaries for Management, for Human Resources and Administration, for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, and for Operations, Security, and Preparedness; Appalachian Regional Commission: Alternative Federal Co-Chairman; Council of Economic Advisers: all members, except the Chairperson; Corporation for National and Community Service: Managing Director; National Council on Disability: all members, including the Chairperson; National Museum and Library Services Boards: all members; National Science Foundation (NSF): all Board members; Office of National Drug Control Policy: Deputy Directors; Office of Navajo and Hopi Relocation: Commissioner; United States Agency for International Development (USAID): Assistant Administrator for Management; Community Development Financial Institution Fund: Administrator; Mississippi River Commission: all Commissioners; National Board for Education Sciences: all members; National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board: all members; and Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development: all members. Eliminates the positions of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information and for Public Affairs. Eliminates the requirement of Senate approval of all appointments to and promotions for the Commissioned Officer Corps in the Public Health Service and in NOAA. Provides that removal of the requirement of Senate confirmation of any position in this Act shall not result in any such position being placed in the Senior Executive Service or alter compensation for such position. Sec. 3) Expands the requirements for the appointment of a Director of the Census, including that such appointment be made without regard to political affiliation and that the appointee have a demonstrated ability in managing large organizations and experience in the collection, analysis, and use of statistical data. Limits the Director's term to five years, beginning on December 1, 2012, and prohibits a Director from serving more than two full terms. Authorizes the President to remove the Director from office after communicating in writing the reasons for removal to Congress not later than 60 days before the removal. (Sec. 4) Establishes the Working Group on Streamlining Paperwork for Executive Nominations (Working Group) to study and report to the President and specified congressional committees on the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations and review the impact of background investigations requirements on the appointments process. Requires that the report of the Working Group include: (1) recommendations for the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations, and (2) a detailed plan for the creation and implementation of an electronic system for collecting and distributing background information from nominees for positions which require Senate approval. Requires such electronic system to provide for less of a burden on potential nominees for positions which require Senate approval, faster delivery of background information, fewer errors of omission, and a single, searchable form (Smart Form) that will be free to a nominee, will be easy to use, and will streamline the process of vetting a nominee and tracking information provided by a nominee. (Sec. 5) Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report to Congress and the President on presidentially-appointed positions that do not require Senate approval. (Sec. 6) Makes the provisions of this Act relating to Senate approval of presidential appointments effective 60 days after enactment and makes the other provisions effective upon enactment.

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on June 29, 2011. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Eliminates the requirement of Senate approval (advice and consent) of specified presidentially-appointed positions in federal agencies and departments, as follows: Department of Agriculture: (1) Assistant Secretary for Administration, (2) Administrator of the Rural Utilities Services, and (3) all members of the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation; Department of Commerce: Chief Scientist, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Department of Defense (DOD): (1) all members of the National Security Education Board, and (2) Director of the Selective Service System; Department of Education: (1) Assistant Secretary for Management, and (2) Commissioner for Education Statistics; Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; Department of Homeland Security (DHS): (1) Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness, (2) Assistant Administrator for Grant Programs, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), (3) Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration, (4) Director of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement, (5) Chief Medical Officer, and (6) Assistant Secretaries for Health Affairs, Legislative Affairs, and Public Affairs; Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; Department of Justice (DOJ): (1) Directors of the Bureaus of Justice Statistics and Justice Assistance, (2) Director of the National Institute of Justice, (3) Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and (4) Director of the Office for Victims of Crime; Department of Labor: (1) Assistant Secretaries for Administration and Management and for Public Affairs, and (2) Director of the Women's Bureau; Department of State: Assistant Secretaries for Public Affairs and for Administration; Department of Transportation (DOT): (1) Assistant Secretaries for Budget and Programs and for Administration, (2) Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and (3) Administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; Department of the Treasury: (1) Assistant Secretaries for Public Affairs and for Management, and (2) Treasurer of the United States; Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Assistant Secretaries for Management, for Human Resources and Administration, for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, and for Operations, Security, and Preparedness; Appalachian Regional Commission: Alternative Federal Co-Chairman; Council of Economic Advisers: all members, except the Chairperson; Corporation for National and Community Service: Managing Director; National Council on Disability: all members, including the Chairperson; National Museum and Library Services Boards: all members; National Science Foundation (NSF): all Board members; Office of National Drug Control Policy: Deputy Directors; Office of Navajo and Hopi Relocation: Commissioner; United States Agency for International Development (USAID): Assistant Administrator for Management; Community Development Financial Institution Fund: Administrator; Mississippi River Commission: all Commissioners; National Board for Education Sciences: all members; National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board: all members; and Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development: all members. Eliminates the positions of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information and for Public Affairs. Eliminates the requirement of Senate approval of all appointments to and promotions for the Commissioned Officer Corps in the Public Health Service and in NOAA. Provides that removal of the requirement of Senate confirmation of any position in this Act shall not result in any such position being placed in the Senior Executive Service or alter compensation for such position. Sec. 3) Expands the requirements for the appointment of a Director of the Census, including that such appointment be made without regard to political affiliation and that the appointee have a demonstrated ability in managing large organizations and experience in the collection, analysis, and use of statistical data. Limits the Director's term to five years, beginning on December 1, 2012, and prohibits a Director from serving more than two full terms. Authorizes the President to remove the Director from office after communicating in writing the reasons for removal to Congress not later than 60 days before the removal. (Sec. 4) Establishes the Working Group on Streamlining Paperwork for Executive Nominations (Working Group) to study and report to the President and specified congressional committees on the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations and review the impact of background investigations requirements on the appointments process. Requires that the report of the Working Group include: (1) recommendations for the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations, and (2) a detailed plan for the creation and implementation of an electronic system for collecting and distributing background information from nominees for positions which require Senate approval. Requires such electronic system to provide for less of a burden on potential nominees for positions which require Senate approval, faster delivery of background information, fewer errors of omission, and a single, searchable form (Smart Form) that will be free to a nominee, will be easy to use, and will streamline the process of vetting a nominee and tracking information provided by a nominee. (Sec. 5) Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report to Congress and the President on presidentially-appointed positions that do not require Senate approval. (Sec. 6) Makes the provisions of this Act relating to Senate approval of presidential appointments effective 60 days after enactment and makes the other provisions effective upon enactment.

Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Eliminates the requirement of Senate approval (advice and consent) of specified presidentially-appointed positions in federal agencies and departments, as follows: Department of Agriculture: (1) Assistant Secretary for Administration, (2) Administrator of the Rural Utilities Services, and (3) all members of the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation; Department of Commerce: Chief Scientist, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Department of Defense (DOD): (1) all members of the National Security Education Board, and (2) Director of the Selective Service System; Department of Education: (1) Assistant Secretary for Management, and (2) Commissioner for Education Statistics; Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; Department of Homeland Security (DHS): (1) Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness, (2) Assistant Administrator for Grant Programs, Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), (3) Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration, (4) Director of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement, (5) Chief Medical Officer, and (6) Assistant Secretaries for Health Affairs, Legislative Affairs, and Public Affairs; Housing and Urban Development (HUD): Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; Department of Justice (DOJ): (1) Directors of the Bureaus of Justice Statistics and Justice Assistance, (2) Director of the National Institute of Justice, (3) Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and (4) Director of the Office for Victims of Crime; Department of Labor: (1) Assistant Secretaries for Administration and Management and for Public Affairs, and (2) Director of the Women's Bureau; Department of State: Assistant Secretaries for Public Affairs and for Administration; Department of Transportation (DOT): (1) Assistant Secretaries for Budget and Programs and for Administration, (2) Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and (3) Administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; Department of the Treasury: (1) Assistant Secretaries for Public Affairs and for Management, and (2) Treasurer of the United States; Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): Assistant Secretaries for Management, for Human Resources and Administration, for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, and for Operations, Security, and Preparedness; Appalachian Regional Commission: Alternative Federal Co-Chairman; Council of Economic Advisers: all members, except the Chairperson; Corporation for National and Community Service: Managing Director; National Council on Disability: all members, including the Chairperson; National Museum and Library Services Boards: all members; National Science Foundation (NSF): all Board members; Office of National Drug Control Policy: Deputy Directors; Office of Navajo and Hopi Relocation: Commissioner; United States Agency for International Development (USAID): Assistant Administrator for Management; Community Development Financial Institution Fund: Administrator; Mississippi River Commission: all Commissioners; National Board for Education Sciences: all members; National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board: all members; and Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development: all members. Eliminates the positions of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information and for Public Affairs. Eliminates the requirement of Senate approval of all appointments to and promotions for the Commissioned Officer Corps in the Public Health Service and in NOAA. Provides that removal of the requirement of Senate confirmation of any position in this Act shall not result in any such position being placed in the Senior Executive Service or alter compensation for such position. Sec. 3) Expands the requirements for the appointment of a Director of the Census, including that such appointment be made without regard to political affiliation and that the appointee have a demonstrated ability in managing large organizations and experience in the collection, analysis, and use of statistical data. Limits the Director's term to five years, beginning on December 1, 2012, and prohibits a Director from serving more than two full terms. Authorizes the President to remove the Director from office after communicating in writing the reasons for removal to Congress not later than 60 days before the removal. (Sec. 4) Establishes the Working Group on Streamlining Paperwork for Executive Nominations (Working Group) to study and report to the President and specified congressional committees on the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations and review the impact of background investigations requirements on the appointments process. Requires that the report of the Working Group include: (1) recommendations for the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations, and (2) a detailed plan for the creation and implementation of an electronic system for collecting and distributing background information from nominees for positions which require Senate approval. Requires such electronic system to provide for less of a burden on potential nominees for positions which require Senate approval, faster delivery of background information, fewer errors of omission, and a single, searchable form (Smart Form) that will be free to a nominee, will be easy to use, and will streamline the process of vetting a nominee and tracking information provided by a nominee. (Sec. 5) Requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report to Congress and the President on presidentially-appointed positions that do not require Senate approval. (Sec. 6) Makes the provisions of this Act relating to Senate approval of presidential appointments effective 60 days after enactment and makes the other provisions effective upon enactment.

Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) Eliminates the requirement of Senate approval (advice and consent) of specified presidentially-appointed positions in federal agencies and departments, as follows: Department of Agriculture: (1) Assistant Secretary for Congressional Relations, (2) Assistant Secretary for Administration, (3) Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service, and (4) all members of the Board of Directors of the Commodity Credit Corporation; Department of Commerce: (1) Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, and (2) Chief Scientist, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); Department of Defense (DOD): (1) Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, (2) Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, (3) Assistant Secretary for Networks and Information Integration, (4) all members of the National Security Education Board, (5) Director of the Office of Selective Service Records, and (6) Assistant Secretaries of the Army, Navy, and Air Force for Financial Management (renamed by this Act as Comptrollers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force); Department of Education: (1) Assistant Secretary for Legislation and Congressional Affairs, (2) Assistant Secretary for Management, (3) Commissioner of the Rehabilitation Services Administration, and (4) Commissioner for Education Statistics; Department of Energy (DOE): Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs; Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): (1) Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, (2) Assistant Secretary for Legislation, (3) Commissioner of the Administration for Children, Youth and Families, and (4) Commissioner of the Administration for Native Americans; Department of Homeland Security (DHS): (1) Director of the Office for Domestic Preparedness, (2) Administrator of the U.S. Fire Administration, (3) Director of the Office of Counternarcotics Enforcement, and (4) Chief Medical Officer; Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD): (1) Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations, and (2) Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs; Department of Justice (DOJ): (1) Assistant Attorney General for Legislative Affairs, (2) Directors of the Bureaus of Justice Statistics and Justice Assistance, (3) Director of the National Institute of Justice, (4) Administrator of the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and (5) Director of the Office for Victims of Crimes; Department of Labor: (1) Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management, (2) Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs, (3) Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, and (4) Director of the Women's Bureau; Department of State: (1) Assistant Secretary for Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs, (2) Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, and (3) Assistant Secretary for Administration; Department of Transportation (DOT): (1) Assistant Secretary for Budget and Programs and Chief Financial Officer, (2) Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs, (3) Assistant Secretary for Administration, (4) Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and (5) Administrator of the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; Department of the Treasury: (1) Assistant Secretary for Legislative Affairs, (2) Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, (3) Assistant Secretary for Management, (4) Treasurer of the United States, and (5) Director of the Mint; Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): (1) Assistant Secretary for Management, (2) Assistant Secretary for Human Resources and Administration, (3) Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, (4) Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs, and (5) Assistant Secretary for Operations, Security and Preparedness; Appalachian Regional Commission: Alternative Federal Co-Chairman; Council of Economic Advisors: all members, except the Chairperson; Corporation for National and Community Service: Managing Directors; National Council on Disability: all members, including the Chairperson; National Museum and Library Services Boards: all members; National Science Board: all members; Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Controller, Office of Federal Financial Management; Office of National Drug Control Policy: Deputy Directors; Office of Navajo and Hopi Relocation: Commissioner; United States Agency for International Development (USAID): (1) Assistant Administrator for Legislative and Public Affairs, and (2) Assistant Administrator for Management; Community Development Financial Institution Fund: Administrator; Mississippi River Commission: all Commissioners; International Monetary Fund and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development: Governor and Alternate Governor; African Development Bank and African Development Fund: Governor and Alternate Governor; Asian Development Bank: Governor and Alternate Governor; National Board for Education Sciences: all members; National Institute for Literacy Advisory Board: all members; Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development: all members; and Alaska Natural Gas Transportation Project: Federal Coordinator. Eliminates the requirement of Senate approval of all appointments to and promotions in the Public Health Service Commissioned Officer Corps and in NOAA. Eliminates the requirement of Senate confirmation of Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) that are currently required to be confirmed. Requires the CFO of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to be appointed by the Administrator of NASA from the competitive or senior executive service. (Sec. 3) Expands the requirements for the appointment of a Director of the Census, including that such appointment be made without regard to political affiliation and that the appointee have a demonstrated ability in managing large organizations and experience in the collection, analysis, and use of statistical data. Limits the Director's term to five years, beginning on December 1, 2012, and prohibits a Director from serving more than two full terms. Authorizes the President to remove the Director from office after communicating in writing the reasons for removal to Congress not later than 60 days before the removal. (Sec. 4) Establishes the Working Group on Streamlining Paperwork for Executive Nominations (Working Group) to study and report to the President and specified congressional committees on the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations and review the impact of background investigation requirements on the appointments process. Requires that the report of the Working Group include: (1) recommendations for the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations, and (2) a detailed plan for the creation and implementation of an electronic system for collecting and distributing background information from nominees for positions which require Senate approval. Requires such electronic system to provide for less of a burden on potential nominees for positions which require Senate approval, faster delivery of background information, fewer errors of omission, and a single, searchable form (Smart Form) that will be free to a nominee, will be easy to use, and will streamline the process of vetting a nominee and tracking information provided by a nominee. Makes the Federal Advisory Committee Act inapplicable to the Working Group. (Sec. 5) Makes the provisions of this Act relating to Senate approval of presidential appointments effective 60 days after enactment and makes the other provisions effective upon enactment.

Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 - Exempts certain presidential appointments to cabinet-level agencies, independent commissions, and boards in the executive branch from the requirement of Senate confirmation (advice and consent). Establishes the Working Group on Streamlining Paperwork for Executive Nominations to: (1) study the streamlining of paperwork required for executive nominations, and (2) conduct a review of the impact of background investigation requirements on the appointments process.