On July 22, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee favorably reported the Periodically Listing Updates to Management (PLUM) Act of 2020 (S. 3896), sponsored by Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE), which would increase transparency of the Executive Branch’s senior leaders. The bill is now cleared for consideration on the full Senate floor.

The bill, endorsed by FMA, would:

• Modernize the current practice of publishing the “Plum Book” every four years

• Enhance transparency into who is setting policy and making key decisions

• Improve the frequency, accuracy and accessibility of data on government leaders

Upon introduction, FMA joined 18 other organizations in a letter of support for the bill. The letter said, in part, “The continuously-updated repository of information about political appointees required under the PLUM Act would facilitate independent review and analysis related to political appointees. It would make it possible to understand which offices are filled and which offices have vacancies, how long those offices have been vacant, and how that information has changed over time. Publication may increase visibility for these job opportunities and encourage a wider pool of diverse candidates to pursue these positions.”

House Oversight and Reform Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Subcommittee on Government Operations Chairman Gerry Connolly (D-VA), and Rep. John Sarbanes (D-MD) introduced an identical bill (H.R. 7107) in the House. H.R. 7107 has been referred to the House Oversight and Reform Committee, as well as the House Committee on Administration.

To follow the progress of the PLUM Act, please click here.