The Precedent behind Trump's Federal Buyout: The National Performance Review

[TemplarKormac]

Precisely 30 years ago, in 1995, Democratic President Bill Clinton decided he would do the same thing but under a different name. It was called the National Performance Review, which Clinton charged Al Gore with overseeing.

"A major element of my strategy was my commitment to streamline and cut the Federal workforce. For too long in Washington, we have had too many layers of bureaucracy, too many workers whose main job was to check on the work of other workers rather than to perform useful work themselves. As the National Performance Review noted, we had good people trapped in bad systems. I promised to cut the workforce, and that's what I'm doing. Through our efforts, we have already cut the workforce by 102,000 positions and we are on track to cut it by a total of 272,900 positions, bringing it to its smallest size since John Kennedy was President."

- President Bill Clinton, April 4, 1995

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I) - Statement on the Buyout Program for Federal Employees

But now a judge has temporarily blocked the buyout on dubious legal grounds, for which over 40,000 employees have accepted. I don't see why this is illegal. There is precedent. I'm guessing there are judges blocking it just to block it. Delay to delay. What say you?

 

[pknopp]

Early last year, Congress approved my request to allow non-Defense agencies to offer buyouts of up to $25,000 a person.

 

[IM2]

Clinton didn't do the same thing trump is doing.

 

[TemplarKormac]

Early last year, Congress approved my request to allow non-Defense agencies to offer buyouts of up to $25,000 a person.

You forget Article 2 Section 3 of the Constitution.

He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadors and other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of the United States.

 

[Crepitus]

Precisely 30 years ago, in 1995, Democratic President Bill Clinton decided he would do the same thing but under a different name. It was called the National Performance Review, which Clinton charged Al Gore with overseeing.

"A major element of my strategy was my commitment to streamline and cut the Federal workforce. For too long in Washington, we have had too many layers of bureaucracy, too many workers whose main job was to check on the work of other workers rather than to perform useful work themselves. As the National Performance Review noted, we had good people trapped in bad systems. I promised to cut the workforce, and that's what I'm doing. Through our efforts, we have already cut the workforce by 102,000 positions and we are on track to cut it by a total of 272,900 positions, bringing it to its smallest size since John Kennedy was President."

- President Bill Clinton, April 4, 1995

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I) - Statement on the Buyout Program for Federal Employees

But now a judge has temporarily blocked the buyout on dubious legal grounds, for which over 40,000 employees have accepted. I don't see why this is illegal. There is precedent. I'm guessing there are judges blocking it just to block it. Delay to delay. What say you?

Still not really a buyout.

 

[pknopp]

Still not really a buyout.

It was done legally through Congress.

 

[Coyote]

Precisely 30 years ago, in 1995, Democratic President Bill Clinton decided he would do the same thing but under a different name. It was called the National Performance Review, which Clinton charged Al Gore with overseeing.

"A major element of my strategy was my commitment to streamline and cut the Federal workforce. For too long in Washington, we have had too many layers of bureaucracy, too many workers whose main job was to check on the work of other workers rather than to perform useful work themselves. As the National Performance Review noted, we had good people trapped in bad systems. I promised to cut the workforce, and that's what I'm doing. Through our efforts, we have already cut the workforce by 102,000 positions and we are on track to cut it by a total of 272,900 positions, bringing it to its smallest size since John Kennedy was President."

- President Bill Clinton, April 4, 1995

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I) - Statement on the Buyout Program for Federal Employees

But now a judge has temporarily blocked the buyout on dubious legal grounds, for which over 40,000 employees have accepted. I don't see why this is illegal. There is precedent. I'm guessing there are judges blocking it just to block it. Delay to delay. What say you?

The problem with making this comparison is in the way it was done not that it needs to done (though that too is arguable).

How did Clinton cut the workforce?

How is Trump doing it?

The buyout is illegal because Congress, not the Executive, controls spending. The government is not funded past March which means that there is no way of guaranteeing that they will get those buyout payments.

 

[1srelluc]

It's just blocked till Monday so stop with all the breathlessness....Jeez.

The deadline for federal employees to accept the deferred resignation offer to Monday at 11:59 p.m. ET in compliance with the court's order.

"The program is not being blocked or canceled. The government will honor the deferred resignation offer," OPM said.

MSN

 

[1srelluc]

I suggest that they take the deal before Trump alters it further.

 

[Doc7505]

Precisely 30 years ago, in 1995, Democratic President Bill Clinton decided he would do the same thing but under a different name. It was called the National Performance Review, which Clinton charged Al Gore with overseeing.

"A major element of my strategy was my commitment to streamline and cut the Federal workforce. For too long in Washington, we have had too many layers of bureaucracy, too many workers whose main job was to check on the work of other workers rather than to perform useful work themselves. As the National Performance Review noted, we had good people trapped in bad systems. I promised to cut the workforce, and that's what I'm doing. Through our efforts, we have already cut the workforce by 102,000 positions and we are on track to cut it by a total of 272,900 positions, bringing it to its smallest size since John Kennedy was President."

- President Bill Clinton, April 4, 1995

Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1995, Book I) - Statement on the Buyout Program for Federal Employees

But now a judge has temporarily blocked the buyout on dubious legal grounds, for which over 40,000 employees have accepted. I don't see why this is illegal. There is precedent. I'm guessing there are judges blocking it just to block it. Delay to delay. What say you?

~~~~~~
Of course this was done during the Clinton administration. How dare Trump decide to do it once again.
According to the Neo-Marxist Democrats it's the end of Democracy. Their loss of Power & Control. That is what rankles them most...
Hear the rants, and lamentation of despair from each of them... Like days of old they should all be driven into the desert .

 

[Crepitus]

It was done legally through Congress.

But still not really a buyout.

 

[TemplarKormac]

The problem with making this comparison is in the way it was done not that it needs to done (though that too is arguable).

How did Clinton cut the workforce?

How is Trump doing it?

The buyout is illegal because Congress, not the Executive, controls spending. The government is not funded past March which means that there is no way of guaranteeing that they will get those buyout payments.

Trump is likely using already congressionally allocated payroll funds for the buyout. But it will exceed the $25,000 VSIP cap. All he needs to do is extend the deadline and the math will work out.

 

[scruffy]

But still not really a buyout.

So?

 

[jbrownson0831]

The problem with making this comparison is in the way it was done not that it needs to done (though that too is arguable).

How did Clinton cut the workforce?

How is Trump doing it?

The buyout is illegal because Congress, not the Executive, controls spending. The government is not funded past March which means that there is no way of guaranteeing that they will get those buyout payments.

More baloney and fake news. The president has every right to cut spending and worthless jobs as he sees fit....and is doing so.