Legislation Promotes Rotational Assignments for DHS and Other Security Positions

On June 24, lawmakers in the House of Representatives and Senate introduced companion legislation that would rotate Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and national security managers and executives through different agencies in an effort to boost efficiency and communication.


The Interagency Personnel Rotation Act of 2011, S. 1268 and H.R. 2314, would establish the Committee on National Security Personnel, which would create a human capital plan to integrate all security employees and activities across the government. The committee would work with agencies to identify those jobs open for rotation.

Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Ranking Member Susan Collins (R-Maine), along with Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) introduced the legislation in the Senate. Reps. Geoff Davis (R-Ky.) and John Tierney (D-Mass.) introduced the companion bill in the House.

"Our government needs to integrate all instruments of national power - including military, diplomatic, intelligence, law enforcement, foreign aid, homeland security and public health - to counter these threats," said Lieberman. "By promoting greater understanding among the professionals who dedicate their careers to our security, that's what our bill would help us do."

According to the legislation, agencies would be required to set minimum and maximum lengths of assignments, but requires that "the period of rotational service be sufficient for employees to gain an adequately detailed understanding and perspective of the agencies or interagency bodies to which they are rotating."

Typically, the bill would allow for employees to volunteer to participate in the rotations and all collective bargaining rights would remain in place for those participating.

The legislation would require 85 percent of Senior Executive Service national security positions to include rotation in their selection criteria within 15 years.

The Senate bill has been referred to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs committee, while the House bill has been referred to the following committees: House Oversight and Government Reform, House Armed Services, House Homeland Security, House Foreign Affairs and House Intelligence.