Creating Schedule G in the Excepted Service
7/17/2025
Action Summary
- Purpose and Gap Addressed: Establish a new Schedule G in the excepted service to fill the gap for noncareer positions of a policy‐making or policy‐advocating character, which are normally subject to change with a Presidential transition.
- Background and Context: Recognizes that existing excepted service schedules (e.g., Schedule C and Policy/Career) do not cover noncareer appointments in policy-making roles, impacting effective government administration.
- Definition of Affected Positions: Applies to positions typically expected to be vacated upon a Presidential transition and requiring the White House Office of Presidential Personnel’s assent.
- Amendments to Civil Service Rules:
- Modifies Civil Service Rule VI, specifically updating 5 CFR 6.2 and 5 CFR 6.4 to include Schedule G alongside existing schedules (A, B, C, D, E, Policy/Career).
- Clarifies the application of Civil Service Rules to removals from positions in various schedules.
- Implementation Guidelines:
- The Director of the Office of Personnel Management is tasked with adopting necessary regulations, including amendments to 5 CFR part 213.
- The Secretary of Veterans Affairs must ensure that appointees for Schedule G positions are suitable promoters of Presidential policies while disregarding their political affiliation or activity.
- General Provisions:
- Affirms that the order does not impair the authority of executive agencies or the functions of the Office of Management and Budget.
- Specifies that the order, subject to applicable law and appropriations, does not create any enforceable rights or benefits against the United States.
- Publication costs are to be borne by the Office of Personnel Management.
Risks & Considerations
- The creation of Schedule G in the excepted service introduces a new category for noncareer positions of a policy-making or policy-advocating character. This could lead to increased political influence in federal appointments, potentially affecting the stability and continuity of federal policies.
- The emphasis on appointing individuals who are suitable exponents of the President’s policies may result in a more politically aligned federal workforce, which could impact the objectivity and impartiality of federal agencies.
- The exclusion of political affiliation or activity in the appointment process for Schedule G positions may mitigate some concerns about partisanship, but the overall impact on agency operations and policy implementation remains uncertain.
- Vanderbilt University may need to consider how these changes in federal employment practices could affect its partnerships with federal agencies, particularly in areas related to policy advocacy and research collaboration.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies Program may need to adapt its curriculum to address the evolving landscape of federal employment and policy-making, providing students with insights into the implications of Schedule G.
- The Office of Federal Relations at Vanderbilt might need to reassess its strategies for engaging with federal agencies, considering the potential shifts in policy priorities and personnel.
- Research initiatives that rely on federal collaboration or funding could be impacted by changes in agency leadership and policy direction, necessitating adjustments in project planning and execution.
Financial Impact
- The introduction of Schedule G could lead to changes in federal funding priorities, potentially affecting grant opportunities and financial support for research and development at Vanderbilt.
- Vanderbilt may need to explore alternative funding sources or partnerships to mitigate any potential disruptions in federal support resulting from shifts in policy-making personnel.
- There may be opportunities for Vanderbilt to engage in policy research and analysis related to the impacts of Schedule G, potentially attracting funding from think tanks or private foundations interested in government reform.
Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance or ethics, particularly in relation to federal partnerships and funding opportunities.)
Key Actions
- Office of Federal Relations should monitor the implementation of Schedule G to understand its impact on federal appointments and potential changes in policy-making positions. This will help Vanderbilt anticipate shifts in federal policy that could affect university programs and funding.
- Human Resources Department should review the implications of Schedule G on hiring practices, especially for positions that may be influenced by federal policy changes. Ensuring compliance with new regulations and understanding the potential for increased competition for policy-making roles will be crucial.
- Vanderbilt’s Political Science Department could conduct research on the effects of Schedule G on government operations and policy-making. This research can provide insights into how these changes might influence broader political dynamics and inform the university’s strategic planning.
- Veterans Affairs Office should assess how the changes in the Department of Veterans Affairs’ appointment processes might impact services and support for veteran students and staff at Vanderbilt. Understanding these changes will help in maintaining effective support systems for the veteran community.
Opportunities
- The creation of Schedule G presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Public Policy Studies Program to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By examining the implications of these changes, the program can contribute to discussions on government efficiency and policy-making processes.
- Vanderbilt’s Career Services can leverage the changes in federal hiring practices to guide students interested in policy-making careers. By providing updated information and resources, Career Services can help students navigate new opportunities in the federal government.
- The emphasis on policy-making positions offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Leadership Development Programs to tailor their curriculum to prepare students for roles in the excepted service. This can enhance the university’s reputation as a leader in developing future policy-makers.
Relevance Score: 3 (Some adjustments are needed to processes or procedures due to changes in federal appointment practices and potential impacts on policy-making roles.)
Timeline for Implementation
N/A: The order does not specify any explicit deadlines or timeframes for implementing the directives.
Relevance Score: 1
Impacted Government Organizations
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM): Directed to adopt and amend regulations, including updates to the Civil Service Rules to implement the new Schedule G in the excepted service.
- Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is specifically tasked with making appointments under Schedule G and ensuring that candidates reflect the President’s policies without regard to political affiliation.
- White House Office of Presidential Personnel: Referenced in the definition of positions “normally subject to change as a result of a Presidential transition,” its assent is required for appointments in affected positions.
Relevance Score: 2 (3 to 5 agencies are directly impacted by this executive order.)
Responsible Officials
- Director of the Office of Personnel Management – Responsible for adopting the necessary regulations to implement the new Schedule G under 5 CFR, part 213.
- Secretary of Veterans Affairs – Charged with ensuring that appointees to Schedule G are suitable exponents of the President’s policies and that political affiliation is not considered during appointments.
Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect Cabinet officials, notably the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and the President’s appointee, the Director of OPM.)