On September 16, the House Oversight and Accountability Committee passed the Manager Attitudes and Notions According to Government Employee Responses (MANAGER) Act (H.R. 9593) by a vote of 22-18. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, would require the annual Federal Employees Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) to include questions specific to management.

In a statement upon passage, Sessions said, "Efficiency in government agencies is essential for taxpayers and government employees alike. I am committed to creating and supporting legislation that eliminates waste in our government to protect taxpayers. Federal managers are responsible for getting results to the American people. This survey will identify areas where federal employees in supervisory positions need support to ensure that our government is working effectively for our citizens."

During the hearing full committee Chairman James Comer noted the FEVS does not include specific questions for supervisors “so the unique views of managers is unaccounted for.” However, as evidenced by the close vote to advance, Committee Democrats expressed concern with the legislation as drafted.

“It’s unclear whether the intent of the proposed legislation is to require a new managerial section to the existing Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, or to require a standalone annual survey of managers,” said Ranking Member Jamie Raskin (D-MD). “This basic ambiguity suggests the survey was not designed with practical application in mind. Moreover, the bill prescribes specific questions that are hyper-focused on the punitive responsibilities of senior managers.”

Sessions expressed a willingness to work with Democrats on revising specific questions, but doubled down on the overall mission of an annual survey of federal managers.

For our part, FMA strongly supports the goal of an annual survey of federal managers and is also open to modifying the phrasing and layout of specific questions in that survey. In a letter of endorsement, FMA National President Craig Carter wrote, “FMA is proud to support this effort to add questions specifically related to management in the workforce to the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) . . . The FEVS is a vital resource that helps gauge engagement, morale, and other feedback from employees in the federal government. Results from the tool help shape policies that impact millions of civil servants. It is therefore equally important to gather the feedback and viewpoints of manager-specific topics and issues, including the option for narrative responses. Hearing from managers and supervisors about possible management challenges would paint a fuller picture and enable lawmakers and agencies to make more informed decisions.”

Carter expressed flexibility with modifying the phrasing of the specific questions posed as the bill goes through the legislative process. “However, it is critical and overdue for an annual survey to include manager-specific questions for managers across the federal workforce,” Carter wrote. “We look forward to working with you, your staff, and legislators on both sides of the aisle to advance this bill and hear the voices of supervisors and managers.”

To track H.R. 9593 through the legislative process, click here.