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Science and Technology in the National Interest The Presidential Appointment Process (2000) / Chapter Skim
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Pages 1-6

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
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From page 2...
... The executive and legislative branches share the responsibility of reducing the preemployment and post-employment restrictions and requirements, which serve as obstacles to public service for S&T leaders. From 1964 to 1984, almost 90% of presidential appointments were completed within 4 months (from the time of first White House contact to Senate confirmation)
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From page 3...
... 1 he approval process for the APST should be put on a cabinet-level fast track. The APST should be both a senior member of the White House staff, consulting on policy and budgetary issues, and the director of the statutory Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP)
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From page 4...
... Sensible standards clearly are necessary to prevent conflicts of interest, but we believe that the number and complexity of requirements have risen steadily and to the point where they deter potential candidates from accepting presidential appointments. A move to Washington, D.C., to undertake an appointment might require severing all ties with employers; forgoing pension benefits; selling stock, options, or other financial interests in companies at unfavorable terms; and forgoing options that are not yet vested (a particular problem for those in emerging fields)
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From page 5...
... 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 0 o 4 months or less More than 4 months Time from First White House Contact to Senate Confirmation Note: Time to complete the presidential appointment process is defined in the report below as the time between first White House contact indicating consideration for appointment and Senate confirmation. Source ~ The Merit and Reputation of an Administrator: Presidential Appointees on the Presidential Appointments Process, page 8.The Brookings Institution and The Heritage Foundation, April 28, 2000.
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From page 6...
... already have high-level security clearances, which could be used to jump-start the more extensive clearances for a presidential appointment. Moreover, White House tracking procedures frequently fail to provide timely reports to candidates while they are making their way to nomination status.
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Key Terms

  • appointment process
  • government service
  • presidential appointment
  • qualified candidates
  • transition team

  • legislative branches
  • professional losses
  • senate confirmation
  • financial losses
  • branches share

  • technology presidential
  • timely reports
  • postemployment restrictions
  • career shift
  • leadership positions

  • interrupt research
  • house contact
  • congressional committees
  • qualified persons
  • unduly complex

  • presidential candidate
  • reduce unreasonable
  • action immediately
  • postemployment requirements
  • century fund

  • persons willing
  • restrictive preemployment
  • technology leadership
  • leadership posts
  • standardize preemployment


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