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GAO-13-299R: 

United States Government Accountability Office: 
Washington, DC 20548: 

February 28, 2013: 

The Honorable Thomas R. Carper:
Chairman:
The Honorable Tom Coburn:
Ranking Member:
Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs: 
United States Senate: 

The Honorable Darrell E. Issa:
Chairman:
The Honorable Elijah E. Cummings:
Ranking Member:
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform: 
House of Representatives: 

Subject: Characteristics of Presidential Appointments that do not 
Require Senate Confirmation: 

On August 10, 2012, the President signed into law the Presidential 
Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 (Streamlining Act 
of 2011).[Footnote 1] The act eliminated the need for the Senate to 
vote on 163 executive nominations, converting them to presidentially 
appointed positions.[Footnote 2] The act required GAO to report to 
Congress and the President on positions in executive agencies that 
require appointment by the President without Senate confirmation (PA). 

As agreed, in discussions with your offices about our scope, the 
objective of this review was to describe the characteristics of 
executive branch PA positions in existence prior to the implementation 
of the Streamlining Act of 2011. Specifically, we describe the 
numbers, types (e.g., members of commissions, councils, advisory 
boards, etc.), responsibilities, locations, dates established, length 
of terms, and salaries, as well as common characteristics among the 
presidentially appointed positions and how they differ from other 
types of positions. Based on available Office of Personnel Management 
(OPM) data, we also provide information on the total number of staff 
employed by the entities with presidentially appointed positions. We 
provided a briefing of this summary to the Senate Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs and House Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform on February 7, 2013. This report 
formally transmits the information provided in that briefing. 

to describe the characteristics of PA positions in the executive 
branch, we identified the list of PA positions from the 2012 "United 
States Government Policy and Supporting Positions" report commonly 
known as the Plum Book, which is developed by OPM and alternately 
published by the House of Representatives and Senate every 4 years. 
[Footnote 3] We categorized, summarized, and described the positions 
based on information gathered from the Plum Book, applicable laws, 
treaties and compacts, agency websites, and discussions and 
documentation provided by OPM officials and officials in the Office of 
Administration within the Executive Office of the President (EOP). We 
also obtained and reported OPM data on the total number of staff 
employed by the entities with presidentially appointed positions, 
which do not include unpaid employees or officials. 

The PA positions described in our review are based primarily on those 
positions listed in the 2012 Plum Book. However, we excluded 34 PA 
positions either because we determined, based on applicable laws, that 
they were incorrectly listed as PA positions in the publication or 
they were created by the Streamlining Act of 2011 and outside the 
scope of this review. We also included two PA positions within 
organizations listed in our review that were incorrectly omitted from 
the Plum Book.[Footnote 4] We provided examples of these and other 
inaccuracies to OPM to facilitate correcting future Plum Book 
publications. Our methodology did not include determining to what 
extent the 2012 Plum Book is a comprehensive listing of all PA 
positions. As a result, there may be PA positions that are not listed 
in the Plum Book and therefore, are not described in this review. 
Also, as agreed, we did not include the positions created by the 
Streamlining Act of 2011. 

We conducted our work from October 2012 to February 2013 in accordance 
with all sections of GAO's Quality Assurance Framework that are 
relevant to our objectives. The framework requires that we plan and 
perform the engagement to obtain sufficient and appropriate evidence 
to meet our stated objectives and to discuss any limitations in our 
work. We believe that the information and data obtained, and the 
analysis conducted, provide a reasonable basis for any findings and 
conclusions in this product. 

In summary, we found the following: 

* There are 321 PA positions governmentwide, which fall into three 
general groups--67 percent of PA positions exist within commissions, 
councils, committees, boards or foundations; another 29 percent of PA 
positions are within the EOP; and the remaining 4 percent are within 
other federal departments or agencies.[Footnote 5] Within each of 
these three groups, PA positions are concentrated in a small number of 
entities. For example, although there are 214 PA positions within 23 
councils, commissions, committees, or boards, 70 percent of these 
positions are concentrated in eight organizations, such as the U.S. 
Holocaust Memorial Council, U.S. Commission for the Preservation of 
America's Heritage Abroad, and Committee for Purchase from People Who 
Are Blind or Severely Disabled. Similarly, 81 percent of PA positions 
in the EOP are located in one of the five offices with PAs--the White 
House Office. Only seven federal departments or agencies have PA 
positions, more than a third of which are within the Department of 
State.[Footnote 6] 

* The responsibilities of PAs vary between the three general groups of 
PAs. PAs in commissions, councils, committees, boards, or foundations 
often serve in an advisory capacity and, at times, have specific 
responsibilities to evaluate, oversee, or establish policy to 
implement the organizations' mission. The majority of PAs within the 
EOP provide advisory and administrative support to the President on a 
range of issues, including policy advice on national security, 
homeland security, domestic policy, and economic policy, as well as 
assistance in managing relations with key stakeholders, such as 
Congress, executive departments and agencies, and state and local 
governments. Responsibilities for PAs within federal departments or 
agencies vary. Some serve as assistants or advisors to Presidential 
Appointments with Senate confirmation (PAS) officials and as U.S. 
representatives to United Nations organizations.[Footnote 7] Others 
have more central leadership roles, such as the Director of the 
National Cancer Institute who coordinates the National Cancer Program. 
PA officials may also exercise the duties of agency heads in the event 
of their absence. For example, the Central Intelligence Agency Deputy 
Director has been functioning as the Acting Director for the agency, 
responsible for managing the operations, personnel and budget of the 
Central Intelligence Agency. 

* Presidents have significant latitude in determining the selection of 
PA officials. However, at times, statutes prescribe the required 
qualifications for selected PAs or the population from which they must 
be chosen. These requirements occur more often for PA appointments to 
a commission, council, committee, board or foundation. 

* Salaries for PA positions vary between the three general groups of 
PAs. For example, positions with the EOP and federal departments and 
agencies are typically full time positions without term limits that 
are paid a salary ranging from $99,628 to about $180,000.[Footnote 8] 
However, PAs appointed to a commission, council, committee, board or 
foundation are typically paid a daily rate of pay only while serving 
or are not compensated. These positions most often serve a term 
between 3 and 6 years and their service is intermittent. 

* The majority of PA positions are located in Washington, D.C., and 
were created within the last 43 years. For example, while one of the 
321 PA positions was established as early as 1889 at the International 
Boundary and Water Commission, the majority of these positions--which 
are in councils, commissions, committees, boards, or foundations--were 
created between 1970 and 2000.[Footnote 9] 

* Overall, PAs differ from other types of political appointments in 
three key areas: number of positions, rate of pay, and level of 
responsibilities. Out of the four major categories of politically 
appointed positions--PAS, PAs, politically appointed Senior Executive 
Service, and Schedule C appointees--PAs represent the smallest number 
(9 percent).[Footnote 10] Moreover, as previously noted, the majority 
of all PAs are typically not paid a salary. Other politically 
appointed positions are typically paid a salary that ranges between 
about $110,000 to $180,000. PAs have a significant level of 
responsibility in implementing the Administration's goals, but often 
are subordinate to a PAS position. PAS positions are at the top of the 
federal personnel hierarchy and are often responsible for making key 
policy decisions to implement an administration's goals (e.g., cabinet 
members). Politically appointed Senior Executive Service and Schedule 
C officials have key responsibilities in implementing government 
operations--such as overseeing government activities and serving in 
confidential or policy-determining positions, respectively. However, 
they often serve in positions that are subordinate to PAs. 

We provided a draft of this letter and enclosed briefing slides to the 
Director of OPM and the Chief Administrative Officer within the EOP's 
Office of Administration for review and technical comment. We received 
technical comments from the EOP, which we incorporated as appropriate. 
OPM did not have comments. 

We are sending copies of this correspondence to the appropriate 
congressional committees and the Executive Office of the President. 
The correspondence is also available at no charge on the GAO website 
at [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov]. Should you or your staff have any 
questions on the matters discussed in this report, please contact me 
at (202) 512-6806 or mihmj@gao.gov. Contact points for our offices of 
Congressional Relations and Public Affairs may be found on the last 
page of this report. GAO staff who made key contributions to this 
correspondence are William Reinsberg, Assistant Director; Latesha 
Love; Vida Awumey; Karin Fangman; and Rebecca Shea. 

Signed by: 

J. Christopher Mihm:
Managing Director:
Strategic Issues: 

Enclosure 1: 

[End of section] 

Footnotes: 

[1] Pub. L. No. 112-166, 126 Stat. 1283 

[2] For a more detailed description of the Streamlining Act of 2011, 
see Presidential Appointments, the Senate's Confirmation Process, and 
Changes Made in the 112th Congress (Washington, D.C.: Oct. 9, 2012) 

[3] See Unnumbered Committee Print; House Committee on Oversight and 
Governmental Reform, 112th Cong., U.S. Government Policy and 
Supporting Positions (Comm. Print 2012). 

[4] We excluded: the Director of the Institute of Education Sciences 
in the Department of Education; the Assistant Administrator of 
Economic Growth Agriculture and Trade in the United States Agency for 
International Development; the Administrator of Rural Utilities 
Service and the Assistant Secretary in the Office of the Assistant 
Secretary for Administration in the Department of Agriculture; the 
Deputy Director of the Office of Supply Reduction in the Office of 
National Drug Control Policy within the EOP; the Deputy General 
Counsel in the Office of Management and Budget; 10 officials in the 
Office of the Vice President; 10 officials in the Millennium Challenge 
Corporation; 3 board members of the Social Security Administration 
Advisory Board; the Alternate Federal Member of the Delaware River 
Basin Commission; the Chairman of the Federal Mine Safety and Health 
Review Commission, a member of the Interstate Commission on the 
Potomac River Basin; and 2 member positions in the Holocaust Museum 
Commission. We included one additional member of the Dwight D. 
Eisenhower Memorial Commission and the Director of Staff in the Civil 
Rights Commission. Please see appendix IV of the attached briefing for 
a more detailed description of the PA positions that we excluded as 
well as the two PA positions that we included in our review. 

[5] See the detailed description of these PA positions in the 
interactive graphics on slides 18, 26, and 33 in the enclosure or in 
the corresponding appendices to the slides, appendixes I, II, and III, 
respectively. 

[6] These PA positions do not include those created under the 
Streamlining Act of 2011. 

[7] For example, some PAs serve as representatives of the United 
States to United Nations agencies and are responsible for guiding U.S 
participation in international economic and human rights issues. 

[8] As an outlier, the Director of the National Cancer Institute is a 
PA position within the Department of Health and Human Services that 
receives a salary of $350,000. 

[9] The International Boundary and Water Commission consists of a U.S. 
section and a Mexican section that develop binational solutions to 
issues that arise during the application of U.S.-Mexico treaties 
regarding boundary demarcation, national ownership of waters, 
sanitation, water quality, and flood control in the border region. 

[10] In addition to PAs, three other major categories of politically 
appointed positions are: PAS positions, which are at the top of the 
federal personnel hierarchy in terms of responsibility; Politically 
appointed Senior Executive Service (SES), which are political 
appointees that are added as noncareer members of the SES; and 
Schedule C appointees positions, which are of a confidential or policy-
determining nature, but generally in subordinate roles to PAS, PA, and 
SES positions (e.g., staff assistant, speechwriter, etc.). 

[End of section] 

Enclosure: 

Briefing for the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and 
Governmental Affairs and House of Representatives Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform: 

Characteristics of Presidential Appointments That Do Not Require 
Senate Confirmation: 

February 7, 2012: 

Contents: 
* Background; 
* Objective, Scope, and Methodology; 
* Summary; 
* Characteristics of Presidential Appointments (PA) that do not Require 
Senate Confirmation; 
* Commissions, Councils, Committees, Boards, and Foundations; 
* Executive Office of the President; 
* Departments and Agencies; 
* General Comparisons between PA and Other Types of Politically 
Appointed Positions: 

[End of section] 

Background: 

On August 10, 2012, the President signed into law the Presidential 
Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 (Streamlining Act 
of 2011).[Footnote 1] 

The act eliminated the need for the Senate to confirm 163 executive 
nominations, converting them to presidentially appointed positions. 
[Footnote 2] 

The act required GAO to report to Congress and the President on 
positions in executive agencies that require appointment by the 
President without Senate confirmation (PAs). 

Political appointments are for individuals who make or advocate 
administration policy or support those positions. Individuals serving 
in political appointments generally serve at the pleasure of the 
appointing authority and do not have the job protections afforded to 
those in career-type appointments. There are four major categories of 
politically appointed positions: 

* Presidential Appointees with Senate confirmation (PAS)-—positions 
that are at the top of the federal personnel hierarchy in terms of 
responsibility. 

* PA positions that typically serve on advisory committees, 
commissions, foundations, or in the Executive Office of the President. 

* Politically appointed Senior Executive Service (SES)—-political 
appointees that are added as noncareer members of the SES.[Footnote 3] 

* Schedule C appointees—positions of a confidential or policy-
determining nature, but generally in subordinate roles to PAS, PA, and 
SES positions (e.g., staff assistant, speechwriter, etc.). 

Objective, Scope, and Methodology: 

Objective: 

* As agreed in discussions with your offices about our scope, the 
objective of this review was to describe the characteristics of 
executive branch PA positions in existence before the implementation 
of the Streamlining Act of 2011. Specifically, we describe the 
numbers, types (e.g., members of commissions, councils, advisory 
boards, etc.), responsibilities, locations, dates established, length 
of terms, and salaries, as well as common characteristics among the 
presidentially appointed positions and how they differ from other 
types of positions. 

Scope and Methodology: 

* to describe the characteristics of PA positions in the executive 
branch, we identified the list of PA positions from the 2012 United 
States Government Policy and Supporting Positions report commonly 
known as the Plum Book, which is developed by the Office of Personnel 
Management (OPM) and alternately published by the House and Senate 
every 4 years.[Footnote 4] We categorized, summarized, and described 
the positions based on information gathered from the Plum Book, 
applicable laws, treaties, and compacts, agency websites, and 
discussions and documentation provided by officials in OPM and the 
Office of Administration with the Executive Office of the President 
(EOP).[Footnote 5] We also obtained and reported OPM data on the 
total number of staff employed by the entities with presidentially 
appointed positions, which do not include unpaid employees or 
officials. 

* Although the PA positions described in our review are based on 
positions listed in the 2012 Plum Book, we excluded 34 PA positions 
that we determined, based on applicable laws, that they were either 
incorrectly listed as PA positions in the publication or were created 
by the Streamlining Act of 2011 and outside of the scope of this 
review. We also included two PA positions within organizations listed 
in our review that were incorrectly omitted from the Plum book. 
[Footnote 6] We provided examples of these and other inaccuracies that 
we identified to OPM to facilitate correcting future Plum Book 
publications. Our methodology did not include determining to what 
extent the 2012 Plum Book is a comprehensive listing of all PA 
positions. As a result, there may be PA positions omitted from the 
Plum Book that are not included in the scope and therefore are not 
described in this review. 

* We provided a draft of these briefing slides and the corresponding 
letter to the Director of OPM and the Chief Administrative Officer 
within the EOP’s Office of Administration for review and technical 
comment. We received technical comments from the EOP, which we 
incorporated as appropriate. OPM did not have comments. 

* We conducted our work from October 2012 to February 2013 in 
accordance with all sections of GAO’s Quality Assurance Framework that 
are relevant to our objectives. The framework requires that we plan 
and perform the engagement to obtain sufficient and appropriate 
evidence to meet our stated objectives and to discuss any limitations 
in our work. We believe that the information and data obtained, and 
the analysis conducted, provide a reasonable basis for any findings 
and conclusions in this product. 

[End of section] 

Summary of Characteristics of PA Positions 

There are 321 PA positions governmentwide, which fall into three 
general groups. 

Figure: 321 PA Positions: 

[Refer to PDF for image: pie-chart] 

Commissions, Councils, Committees, Boards or foundations (214 PAs): 
67%; 
Executive Office of the President (94 PAs): 29%; 
Departments or Agencies (13 PAs): 4%. 

Source: GAO analysis of 2012 data from the 2012 Plum Book, the 
Executive Office of the President (EOP), agency documents, and related 
laws. 

[End of figure] 

Within each of the three groups of PAs (commissions and other 
organizations, EOP, or departments or agencies) PA positions are 
concentrated in a small number of entities. 

The responsibilities of PAs vary between the three general groups of 
PAs, and range from serving in an advisory capacity on commissions or 
boards to exercising the duties of agency heads in the event of their 
absence. 

Presidents have significant latitude in determining the selection of 
PAs. However, at times, statutes prescribe the required qualifications 
for selected PAs or the population from which they must be chosen. 

Salaries for PA positions vary between the three general groups of 
PAs. For example, positions with the EOP and federal departments and 
agencies are typically full-time positions paid a salary between 
$110,000 to $179,700. However, the majority of PAs who are appointed 
to a commission, council, committee, board or foundation typically 
serve intermittently and are paid a daily rate of pay while serving or 
are not compensated. 

The majority of PA positions are located in Washington, D.C., and were 
created or authorized within the last 43 years. 

Overall, PAs differ from other types of political appointments in 
three key areas: number of positions, rate of pay, and level of 
responsibilities. 

* Out of the four major categories of politically appointed positions—
PAS, PAs, politically appointed Senior Executive Service, and Schedule 
C appointees—-PAs represent the smallest number (9 percent). 

* Moreover, while the majority of all PAs are typically not paid a 
salary, the other three types of politically appointed positions are 
paid a salary that ranges from $27,431 to $199,700. 

* PAs have a significant level of responsibility in implementing an 
administration's goals, but often are subordinate to a PAS. PAS 
positions are charged with making key policy decisions to implement an 
administration's goals (e.g., cabinet members). Politically appointed 
Senior Executive Service and Schedule C officials have key 
responsibilities in implementing government operations—-such as 
overseeing government activities and serving in confidential or policy-
determining positions, respectively. However, they often serve in 
positions that are subordinate to PAs. 

[End of section] 

Characteristics of Presidential Appointments That Do Not Require 
Senate Confirmation: 

* Commissions, Councils, Committees, Boards, and Foundations. 

PAs in Commissions, Councils, Committees, Boards, and Foundations: 

There are 214 PAs within 23 councils, commissions, committees, or 
boards with PAs,[Footnote 7] however, the majority of these PA 
positions are concentrated in eight organizations. 

United States Holocaust memorial Museum: 55 PAs; 

United States Commission for the Preservation of America's Heritage 
Abroad: 21 PAs; 

Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disables: 
15 PAs[Footnote 8]; 

U.S. Access Board: 13 PAs; 

Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation: 13 PAs; 

American Battle Monuments Commission: 12 PAs; 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: 11 PAs; 

Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board: 11 PAs. 

Organization of PAs in Commissions, Councils, Committees, Boards, and 
Foundations: 

PA members often serve in organizations with other appointed members, 
including representatives from Congress, federal agencies, or state 
and local governments, or members selected by Congress, or state or 
local leaders. 

Of these 214 PA members, 136 serve on bodies with other types 
of appointed or selected officials. 

* For example, the National Capital Planning Commission consists of 
three PAs, two appointments of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., and the 
following ex-officio members:[Footnote 9] the Mayor of Washington, 
D.C; Chair of the D.C. Council; the Chairman of the House Committee on 
Oversight and Government Reform; Chairman of the Senate Committee on 
Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs; and the Secretaries of 
Defense and Interior, and Administrator of the General Services 
Administration. 

Responsibilities of PA Positions in Commissions, Councils, Committees, 
Boards, and Foundations: 

PAs in these organizations serve in an advisory capacity or, at times, 
have specific responsibilities to evaluate, oversee, or establish 
policy to implement their organization’s mission. For example: 

Advisory Council on Historic Preservation: 

* As part of this advisory council, PA members work with other council 
members to promote the preservation, enhancement, and productive use 
of the nation's historic resources, and advise the President and 
Congress on national historic preservation policy. The council 
recommends administrative and legislative improvements for protecting 
the nation's heritage; advocates full consideration of historic values 
in federal decision-making; and reviews federal programs and policies 
to promote effectiveness, coordination, and consistency with national 
preservation policies. 

Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board: 

* The PAs that make up this board provide advice on nuclear waste 
matters and are also required by law to evaluate the technical and 
scientific validity of Department of Energy (DOE) activities related 
to implementing the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, as well as perform an 
ongoing technical peer review of DOE activities related to spent 
nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste. 

Federal Service Impasses Panel: 

* This panel within the Federal Labor Relations Authority is made up 
of PAs who are responsible for providing assistance in resolving 
negotiation impasses between agencies and unions. After investigating 
an impasse, the panel can either recommend procedures to the parties 
for the resolution of the impasse or assist the parties in resolving 
the impasse through whatever methods and procedures it considers 
appropriate. If the parties do not arrive at a settlement after 
assistance by the panel, the panel may hold hearings and take whatever 
action is necessary to resolve the impasse. 

As part of their duties on commissions, councils, committees, boards, 
or foundations, PAs and other members submit annual or semi-annual 
reports to Congress on their progress in implementing their 
organization’s mission. For example: 

* At least twice each year, the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board 
reports findings and recommendations from its evaluation of DOE 
activities related to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act to Congress and the 
Secretary of Energy. 

* The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, whose 
principle responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances 
of violations of religious freedom internationally, is required to 
provide an annual report to the President, the Secretary of State, and 
Congress with policy recommendations on countries that have engaged in 
(or tolerated) violations of religious freedom and countries found to 
be making significant improvements with respect to religious freedom. 

Qualifications of PA Positions in Commissions, Councils, Committees, 
Boards, and Foundations: 

Although Presidents often have significant latitude in determining the 
selection of PA officials; for some PA positions, statutes prescribe 
the required qualifications or the pool from which members of a 
commission, council, committee, board, or foundation must be 
selected. For example: 

* The Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984, as amended, requires 
that the Arctic Research Commission be composed of seven PAs, with the 
Director of the National Science Foundation serving as a nonvoting, ex 
officio member. The PAs must include four from academic or research 
institutions with expertise in Arctic research; one indigenous 
resident of the Arctic who lives in an area directly affected by Arctic 
resource development; and two representatives of the needs and 
interests of private industry undertaking resource development in the 
Arctic. 

* The National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, specifies that 
the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation shall be composed of 23 
members, including 11 PAs-—4 from the general public, 4 experts, a 
governor, a mayor, and a member of an Indian tribe or native Hawaiian 
organization. Seven other members are heads of federal agencies 
designated by the President. The remaining five members are specified 
by the act. 

Salaries of PA Positions in Commissions, Councils, Committees, Boards, 
and Foundations: 

Ninety-nine percent of PAs are paid a daily rate of $634 or less while 
serving or are not compensated. The remaining 1 percent of PAs are 
paid an executive level V and III salary, which in fiscal year 2012 
was $145,700 and $165,300, respectively.[Footnote 10] 

Figure: Salary Levels for PAs in Organizations Number of PAs: 

[Refer to PDF for image: vertical bar graph] 

Salary-Executive Level III-V ($145,700-$165,300): 2 (1%); 
Daily Pay Rate ($382-$634)[A]: 139 (65%); 
No Compensation: 73 (34%). 

Source: GAO analysis of 2012 Plum Book, related laws, OPM Central 
Personnel Data File/Enterprise Human Resources Integration databases 
a As an outlier, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, pays 
its PAs a daily pay rate of $100. 

[End of figure] 

Establishment, Locations, and Terms of PA Positions in Commissions, 
Councils, Committees, Boards, and Foundations: 

Establishment and location: 

* While 1 of the 214 PA positions was established as early as 1889, 
the majority of these PA positions were created between 1970 and 2012. 

* Eighteen of these 23 organizations led by PAs are located in the 
Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Other positions are spread out 
across the United States.[Footnote 11] 

Length of Service: 

* About 89 percent of these PAs serve terms that range from 3 to 6 
years.[Footnote 12] 

* In 21 of the 23 organizations, the PAs serve intermittently, while 
in the remaining two organizations, PAs serve on a full-time basis. 
The frequency with which the entities with PAs meet depends on the 
purpose and function of the group. Some of these organizations only 
meet twice a year, while others meet monthly. 

- For example, the International Boundary and Water Commissioner works 
full-time to implement United States-Mexico treaties regarding issues 
that affect the border region, while the American Battle Monuments 
Commission normally meets twice a year to oversee the maintenance of 
military cemeteries, memorials, monuments, and markers. 

Figure 1: PA positions in Commissions, Councils, Committees, Boards, 
and Foundations: 

[Refer to PDF for image: interactive graphic] 

Directions: Mouse over bars in bar chart below for more information 
about each organization’s PA positions. 

to review a text version of this graphic, go to appendix I. 

Source: GAO analysis of 2012 Plum Book, applicable laws, and agency 
documents. 

Characteristics of Presidential Appointments That Do Not Require 
Senate Confirmation: 

* Executive Office of the President. 

PA Positions in the Executive Office of the President: 

* The Executive Office of the President (EOP) was established in 
1939 and has responsibility for providing advisory and administrative 
support to the President. 

* While Senate confirmation is required for some positions within the 
EOP, such as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, 
other positions are PAs appointed with full Presidential discretion, 
such as the Press Secretary or the Assistant to the President for 
Homeland Security and Counterterrorism. 

* There are 94 PA positions in the EOP—-which accounts for the largest 
group among the four major categories of political appointments in the 
office. 

- By comparison, there are 29 PAS, 22 politically appointed SES, and 43 
Schedule C positions. 

Organization of PA Positions in the Executive Office of the President: 

The 94 PA positions in the EOP exist within 5 offices, with the 
majority of these positions (76 of the 94) located within the White 
House Office.[Footnote 13] 

Figure: 94 EOP PA Positions: 

[Refer to PDF for image: pie-chart] 

White House Office (76): 81%; 
Office of Policy Development (14): 15%; 
Office of Administration, National Security Council, and OMB (4): 4%, 

Source: GAO analysis of 2012 data from the 2012 Plum Book, the 
Executive Office of the President and related laws. 

[End of figure] 

Responsibilities of PA Positions in the Executive Office of the 
President: 

PAs within the EOP provide advisory and administrative support to the 
President on a range of issues, including policy advice on national 
security, homeland security, domestic policy, and economic policy, as 
well as assistance in managing relations with key stakeholders, such 
as Congress, executive departments and agencies, and state and local 
governments. 

According to the EOP, PA officials in the EOP oversee or assist in 
leading offices that have changed over time. These offices, which were 
formed by Congress or the President as needed, evolve as each 
President identifies his needs and priorities. 

* For example, according to EOP officials, after September 11, 2001, 
and prior to the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, 
appointments were made within the White House Office related to the 
conflict against Al Qaeda, the Taliban and associated forces. 

Qualifications of PA Positions in the Executive Office of the 
President: 

For positions in the EOP, qualifications are generally not prescribed 
in statute. The President maintains significant latitude in 
determining the selection of these PA officials. However, Congress has 
prescribed qualifications for governmentwide positions like Chief 
Financial Officer positions (CFO), which also apply to the CFO 
position within the EOP.[Footnote 14] 

Salaries of PA Positions in the Executive Office of the President: 

Salaries for the majority of the 94 PA officials in the EOP are 
administratively determined-—at the President’s discretion, subject to 
various caps established by law.[Footnote 15] EOP PAs are compensated 
at salary levels ranging from $110,000 to $172,200.[Footnote 16] The 
average salary in fiscal year 2012 was $142,691. 

Figure: Salaries of the 94 EOP PAs: 

[Refer to PDF for image: vertical bar graph] 

EOP entity: 

White House Office: $110,000 to $172,200 (76 PAs); 
National Security Council: $155,500 (1 PA); 
Office of Management and Budget: $165,300 (1 PA); 
Office of Administration: $155,500 and $158,800 (2 PAs); 
Office of Policy Development: $120,000 to $158,500 (14 PAs). 

Source: 2012 Plum Book, the Executive Office of the President and 
related laws. 

[End of figure] 

Establishment and Terms of PA Positions in the Executive Office of the 
President: 

In 1939, Congress provided the President with authority to appoint up 
to six positions in the EOP.[Footnote 17] Over the years, Congress 
provided the President with additional appointment authority, often 
through annual appropriations acts. In 1978, Congress provided 
permanent authorization for the appointment and compensation of 
assistants and advisors in the EOP.[Footnote 18] Congress has also 
created specific positions within the various offices of the EOP. 

There are no specified term limits for these officials; they serve 
at the will of the President. 

All of the positions are located in Washington, D.C. 

Figure 2: PA positions in the Executive Office of the President: 

[Refer to PDF for image: interactive graphic] 

Directions: Mouse over bars in bar chart below for more information 
about each organization’s PA positions. 

to review a text version of this graphic, go to appendix II. 

Source: GAO analysis of 2012 Plum Book, applicable laws, and agency 
documents. 

[End of figure] 

Characteristics of Presidential Appointments That Do Not Require 
Senate Confirmation: 

* Federal Departments or Agencies. 

PA Positions in Federal Departments or Agencies: 

* 13 PA positions exist in seven federal departments or agencies. 

* More than a third of the 13 PA positions are in one agency—-the 
Department of State.[Footnote 19] 

Department of State: 5 PAs; 
Office of the Director of National Intelligence: 2 PA; 
Department of Homeland Security: 2 PAs; 
USDA: 1 PA; 
CIA: 1 PA; 
HHS: 1 PA; 
USAID: 1 PA. 

Responsibilities of PA Positions in Federal Departments or Agencies: 

The roles and responsibilities of PA positions in federal 
departments or agencies vary. 

* Some PAs serve as assistants or advisors to PAS officials and as U.S. 
representatives to international organizations. 

* Others include the Director of the National Cancer Institute who 
coordinates the National Cancer Program. 

* PA officials may also exercise the duties of agency heads in the 
event of their absence. For example, the Central Intelligence Agency 
(CIA) Deputy Director has been functioning as the Acting Director for 
the agency, responsible for managing the operations, personnel, and 
budget of the CIA. 

Qualifications of PA Positions in Federal Departments or Agencies: 

For positions in federal departments or agencies, qualifications are 
generally not prescribed in statute. The President maintains 
significant latitude in determining the selection of these PA 
officials. However, at times, Congress prescribes qualifications for 
PA positions. For example, the Director of the National Institute of 
Food and Agriculture is required by statute to be a distinguished 
scientist. 

Salaries of PA Positions in Federal Departments or Agencies: 

All of the PA positions in the seven federal departments or agencies 
are compensated at salary levels ranging from GS-15 ($99,628-$129,517) 
to $350,000. 

Figure: Salaries of the 13 PAs in federal departments or agencies: 

[Refer to PDF for image: vertical bar graph] 

Departments or agency: Department of State; 
Salary: $99,628 to $179,700 (5 PAs). 

Departments or agency: Department of Homeland Security; 
Salary: $173,400 to $176,000 (2 PAs). 

Departments or agency: United States Agency for International 
Development; 
Salary: $157,989 (1 PA). 

Departments or agency: Central Intelligence Agency; 
Salary: $179,700 (1 PA). 

Departments or agency: Office of the Director of National 
Intelligence; 
Salary: $176,998 to $179,700 (2 PAs). 

Departments or agency: Department of Agriculture; 
Salary: $179,700 (1 PA). 

Departments or agency: Department of Health and Human Services; 
Salary: $350,000 (1 PA). 

Source: 2012 Plum Book, OPM Central Personnel Data File, agency 
documents and related laws. 

[End of figure] 

Establishment and Terms of PA Positions in Federal Departments or 
Agencies: 

PA positions in the federal departments or agencies were established in 
the last 68 years-—with the oldest position dating back to 1945 
(Department of State’s five representatives to the United Nations 
entities)[Footnote 20] and the newest positions created in 2010 (the 
Deputy Director of the Central Intelligence Agency and the 
Intelligence Community Chief Information Officer at the Office of the 
Director of National Intelligence). 

The majority of the PA positions are located in the Washington, D.C., 
region. 

Only one of the PA positions in the seven federal departments or 
agencies has a term limit specified-—6 years for the Director of the 
National Institute of Food and Agriculture at the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture. The Director can be reappointed for an additional 6-year 
term 

Figure 3: PA Positions in Federal Departments or Agencies: 

[Refer to PDF for image: interactive graphic] 

Directions: Mouse over bars in bar chart below for more information 
about each organization’s PA positions. 

to review a text version of this graphic, go to appendix III. 

Source: GAO analysis of 2012 Plum Book, applicable laws, and agency 
documents. 

[End of figure] 

[End of section] 

General Comparisons between PA and Other Types of Politically Appointed 
Positions: 

PAs differ from other types of political appointments in three key 
areas: number of positions, rate of pay, and level of responsibilities. 

* PAs represent the smallest number among the four major categories of 
political appointments. 

Figure: Number of Appointments as of October 2012:[Footnote 21] 

PAs: 9% (321); 
PAS: 33% (1,217); 
Schedule C: 37?% (1,392); 
Politically appointed SES: 21% (789). 

Source: 2012 Plum Book, related laws, OPM Executive and Schedule C 
System database. 

[End of figure] 

Pay rates: 

* Unlike other politically appointed positions, PAs are typically not 
paid a salary. Sixty-six percent of PAs are paid a daily pay rate for 
their days of service or are uncompensated, as previously noted. The 
majority of these PAs are in commissions, councils, committees, 
boards, or foundations. 

* Other politically appointed positions are typically paid a salary 
that ranges from about $27,431 to $199,700.[Footnote 22] 

- PAS-salary range from Executive Level V-I ($145,700-$199,700). 

- SES-salary range from $119,554-$179,700.[Footnote 23] 

- Schedule C--salary ranges from GS-5 ($27,431-$35,657) to GS-15 
($99,628-$129,517).[Footnote 24] 

Figure: Level of responsibility: 

[Refer to PDF for image: pyramid with associated information] 

Highest level: 

PAS: 
Positions that are at the top of the federal personnel hierarchy and 
are often responsible for making key policy decisions to implement an 
administration's goals (e.g., cabinet members). 

Second level: 

PAs: 
Positions that have a significant level of responsibility in 
implementing an administration's goals, but often are subordinate to a 
PAS. Many also serve in the EOP or on advisory committees or 
commissions. 

Third level: 

SES: 
Positions that serve in the most senior positions in the executive 
branch that are not required to be filled by Presidential appointment. 
Officials are responsible for operating and overseeing government 
activities in approximately 75 federal agencies. 

Fourth level: 

Schedule C officials: 
Positions that serve in a confidential or policy-determining nature, 
but are generally in subordinate roles to an incumbent and his or her 
superior (e.g., staff assistant, speechwriter, etc.). 

[End of figure] 

[End of section] 

Appendix I: Commissions, Councils, Committees, Boards, and Foundations: 

The table in Appendix I presents information from interactive Figure 
1: PA positions in the Commissions, Councils, Committees, Boards, and 
Foundations. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): U.S. 
Holocaust Memorial Council (180); 
Number of PA positions: 55; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1980; 
Term/schedule: 5 years/Intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Daily pay rate ($596); 
Overview of responsibilities: Has overall governance responsibility 
for the Museum, including policy guidance, strategic direction, and 
fiduciary responsibility. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): U.S. 
Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad (25); 
Number of PA positions: 21; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1985; 
Term/schedule: 3-years/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Without compensation; 
Overview of responsibilities: Identifies and reports on cemeteries, 
monuments, and historic buildings in Eastern and Central Europe that 
are associated with the heritage of U.S. citizens and obtains 
assurances from the governments of the region that the properties will 
be preserved. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): 
Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled 
(31); 
Number of PA positions: 15; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1938; 
Term/schedule: 5 years/intermittent; 
Location: Arlington, VA; 
Salary: Daily pay rate ($596); 
Overview of responsibilities: Promotes the capabilities of people who 
are blind or have other significant disabilities, and seeks to grow 
the number of job opportunities offered to these individuals. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): 
Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (U.S. 
Access Board) (40); 
Number of PA positions: 13; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1978; 
Term/schedule: 4 years/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Daily pay rate equivalent, not to exceed EX IV ($155,500); 
Overview of responsibilities: Ensures that people with disabilities 
have access to federally funded facilities by developing and 
maintaining design criteria for the built environment, transit 
vehicles, telecommunications equipment, and for electronic and 
information technology. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): 
Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation (13); 
Number of PA positions: 13; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1992; 
Term/schedule: 6 years/intermittent; 
Location: Auburn, NY; 
Salary: Without compensation; 
Overview of responsibilities: The foundation encourages and supports 
research, study and labor designed to produce new discoveries in all 
fields of endeavor. Board members participate in the administration of 
the various competitions sponsored by the foundation, work on 
committees to advance the foundation’s goals, and make determinations 
regarding the subject areas for each award. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): American 
Battle Monuments Commission (30); 
Number of PA positions: 12[A]; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1923; 
Term/schedule: No term/intermittent; 
Location: Arlington, VA; 
Salary: 11 without compensation, EX III ($165,300) for the Secretary 
Overview of responsibilities: Responsible for ensuring adequate care 
and maintenance of 24 permanent U.S. military cemeteries and 25 
memorials, monuments, and markers in 15 countries around the world. 
The commission normally meets twice each year to carry out its 
functions. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): Advisory 
Council on Historic Preservation (51); 
Number of PA positions: 11; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1966; 
Term/schedule: 4 years/intermittent; 
Location: Various: OK, VA, TN, TX, NM, MD, IL, MO, CO, WA, WV; 
Salary: Daily pay rate ($100); 
Overview of responsibilities: The council promotes the preservation, 
enhancement, and productive use of the nation's historic resources, 
and advises the President and Congress on national historic 
preservation policy. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): Nuclear 
Waste Technical Review Board (21); 
Number of PA positions: 11; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1987; 
Term/schedule: 4 years/intermittent; 
Location: Arlington, VA; 
Salary: Daily pay rate equivalent to EX III ($165,300); 
Overview of responsibilities: Evaluates the technical and scientific 
validity of DOE activities related to implementing the Nuclear Waste 
Policy Act and provides expert advice on nuclear waste management to 
Congress and the Secretary of Energy, including ongoing technical peer 
reviews of some DOE nuclear and radioactive waste activities. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): Federal 
Labor Relations Authority-Federal Service Impasses Panel (137); 
Number of PA positions: 7[B]; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1979; 
Term/schedule: 5 years/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Daily pay rate equivalent to ($162,900); 
Overview of responsibilities: Provides assistance in resolving 
negotiation impasses between agencies and unions, and makes final 
decisions to resolve the impasse, when necessary. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): Arctic 
Research Commission (7); 
Number of PA positions: 7; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1984; 
Term/schedule: 4 years/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Daily pay rate ($596); 
Overview of responsibilities: Advances federal arctic research in 
coordination with Alaska and international partners, and facilitates 
cooperation among the federal government, state and local governments, 
and other nations regarding basic and applied Arctic research. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): 
Commission of Fine Arts (11); 
Number of PA positions: 7; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1910; 
Term/schedule: 4 years/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Without compensation; 
Overview of responsibilities: Provides expert advice to the President, 
Congress, federal departments and agencies, and the city of 
Washington, D.C., on design and aesthetics, such as the design of 
coins and medals, national memorials, and historic buildings, as well 
as administers the National Capital Arts and Cultural Affairs program. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): Presidio 
Trust (308); 
Number of PA positions: 6; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1996; 
Term/schedule: 4 years/intermittent; 
Location: San Francisco, CA; 
Salary: Without compensation; 
Overview of responsibilities: Leads the transformation of the Presidio 
of San Francisco, an historic military post, into a national park by 
partnering with the National Park Service to preserve open spaces, 
improve the Presidio trail system, and provide visitor programs. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): Vietnam 
Education Foundation (Board of Directors) (12); 
Number of PA positions: 6; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2000; 
Term/schedule: 3 years/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Daily pay rate equivalent to EX V ($145,700); 
Overview of responsibilities: Strengthens the U.S.-Vietnam bilateral 
relationship through educational exchanges in science and technology, 
including bringing Vietnamese nationals to leading U.S. universities 
for graduate and postograduate training and helping Vietnam strengthen 
its internal capacity and institutions. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): Utah 
Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission (15)[C]; 
Number of PA positions: 5;
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1992; 
Term/schedule: 4 years/intermittent; 
Location: Salt Lake City, UT; 
Salary: Daily pay rate equivalent to the maximum rate for GS-15 for the 
Chairman and one commissioner; 
Overview of responsibilities: Establishes agreements with other 
federal and Utah state agencies, local governments, universities, non-
profit organizations, and the Utah tribes. Cooperates through 
agreements to implement a variety of ecosystem restoration and 
wildlife conservation projects in Utah. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): 
Administrative Conference of the United States (15); 
Number of PA positions: 5; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1964; 
Term/schedule: 3 years/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Without compensation; 
Overview of responsibilities: Improves administrative process through 
consensus-driven applied research, and providing nonpartisan expert 
advice and recommendations for improvement of federal agency 
procedures and regulatory processes. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): 
Commission on Civil Rights (44); 
Number of PA positions: 5[D]; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1983; 
Term/schedule: 6 years/intermittent; 
Location: San Francisco, CA; Cleveland, Ohio; River Forest, IL; 
Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Daily pay rate equivalent to EX IV ($155,500); 
Overview of responsibilities: Informs the development of national 
civil rights policy and enhances enforcement of federal civil rights 
laws through studying deprivations of voting rights and discrimination 
in justice, and conducting investigations and analysis on issues of 
concern to the government and the public. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): Dwight 
D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission (10); 
Number of PA positions: 4; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1999; 
Term/schedule: No term/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Without compensation; 
Overview of responsibilities: Complete a National Memorial that will 
honor Dwight D. Eisenhower and celebrate his values, inspiring and 
educating it’s visitors. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): U.S. 
Commission on International Religious Freedom (13); 
Number of PA positions: 3; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1998; 
Term/schedule: 2 years/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Without compensation; 
Overview of responsibilities: Reviews the facts and circumstances of 
violations of religious freedom internationally to make policy 
recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress 
regarding countries to be designated as “countries of particular concern
”. The commission also comments on the effectiveness of the Department 
of State’s efforts to promote international religious freedom. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): National 
Capital Planning Commission (42); 
Number of PA positions: 3; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1952; 
Term/schedule: 6 years/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Daily pay rate equivalent to EX IV ($155,500); 
Overview of responsibilities: Adopts, approves, or provides advice on 
plans and projects that impact the nation's capital and surrounding 
areas. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): 
Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (42); 
Number of PA positions: 2[E]; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1940; 
Term/schedule: No term/intermittent; 
Location: Rockville, MD; 
Salary: Without compensation; 
Overview of responsibilities: Represents Pennsylvania, Virginia, 
Maryland, West Virginia, Washington, D.C., and the federal government 
in setting policy and providing guidance on efforts to enhance, 
protect, and conserve the water and associated land resources of the 
Potomac River. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): 
International Boundary and Water Commission (U.S. and Mexico) (267); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1889; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Texas; 
Salary: EX III ($165,300); 
Overview of responsibilities: Consists of a U.S. Section and a Mexican 
Section that develop binational solutions to issues that arise during 
the application of United States-Mexico treaties regarding boundary 
demarcation, national ownership of waters, sanitation, water quality, 
and flood control in the border region. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): 
International Boundary Commission (U.S. and Canada) (17); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1908; 
Term/schedule: No Term/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: Daily pay rate equivalent of GS-15 ($99,628-$129,517) 
Overview of responsibilities: Consists of a U.S. Section and a Canada 
Section. U.S. commissioner responsible for maintaining the boundary by 
inspecting it regularly; repairing, relocating or rebuilding damaged 
monuments or buoys; and regulating construction around the boundary. 

Organization (total number of positions in the organization): Delta 
Regional Authority (5); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2000; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Clarksdale, MS; 
Salary: EX V ($145,700); 
Overview of responsibilities: Works to improve life for the residence 
of the 252 Delta counties and parishes in parts of eight states by 
partnering to utilize investments from the states’ Economic 
Development Assistance Program to improve transportation and basic 
infrastructure. The presidentially appointed official services as the 
alternate for the federal co-chairman and performs functions and 
duties delegated by this Co-Chairman. 

Source: GAO analysis of 2012 Plum Book, applicable laws, treaties, 
compacts and agency documents. 

Note: For all positions that provide a daily rate of pay equivalent to 
a specified salary level, this pay is provided only for days spent 
performing PA position duties, which may be intermittent. PA officials 
who are already employed by the government are not authorized 
additional pay for serving on commissions, committees, boards or 
foundations. In addition, unpaid employees or officials are not 
captured in OPM data on the total number of employees. 

[A] This number includes the Secretary of the commission, who is not 
an official member of the commission, but is a full time PA position 
that supports the commission. 

[B] This total number refers to only the Federal Service Impasses 
Panel, not the Federal Labor Relations Authority. 

[C] Both the agency (with 10-12 staff) and the five commissioners are 
referred to as “the Commission.” 

[D] This number includes the Director of Staff for the commission, who 
is not a commissioner, but is a PA position that supports the 
commission. This Director is a full time position. We were unable to 
determine the pay for this position. 

[E] We excluded one of the positions listed the 2012 Plum Book 
because, in 2007, Congress specified the federal official to hold this 
third position. 

[End of table] 

[End of section] 

Appendix II: PA Positions in the Executive Office of the President: 

The table in Appendix II presents information from interactive Figure 
2: PA positions in the Executive Office of the President. 

Agency (total number of positions in the entity): Executive Office of 
the President (EOP) (1,800+); 
Number of PA positions: 94; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1939 (six positions 
authorized) to 1978 (permanent authorization) except as otherwise 
noted; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: $110,000 to $172,200; 
Overview of responsibilities: Professional, managerial, and support 
staff provide advisory and administrative support directly to the 
President. Responsibilities include performing duties as the President 
may prescribe, such as communicating the President’s message to the 
public and assessing national security and foreign policies. Specific 
positions include Press Secretary and the Deputy Assistant to the 
President for National Security Affairs. 

EOP Entities: 

Agency (total number of positions in the entity): White House Office 
(466); 
Number of PA positions: 76; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: Authorized as noted above 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: $110,000 to $172,200; 
Overview of responsibilities: Advisors and assistants provide advisory 
and administrative support directly to the President. 

Agency (total number of positions in the entity): Office of Policy 
Development (23)[A]; 
Number of PA positions: 14; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: Authorized as noted above 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: $120,000 to $158,500; 
Overview of responsibilities: Assistants and a Chief of Staff provide 
advisory and administrative support directly to the President on 
economic and domestic policy. 

Agency (total number of positions in the entity): Office of 
Administration (225); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: Authorized as noted above 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: $158,800; 
Overview of responsibilities: The Special Assistant to the President 
and Director of the Office of Administration provides leadership, 
manages the allocation of resources, and ensures that the Office of 
Administration’s services reflect customer priorities. 

Agency (total number of positions in the entity): Office of 
Administration (225); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2001; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: EX IV ($155,500); 
Overview of responsibilities: The Chief Financial Officer reports to 
the Director of the Office of Administration within the EOP and is 
responsible for all financial operations, obligations, and budgetary 
decisions for the EOP; represents the Office of the Chief Financial 
Officer in budgetary discussions brought before Congress. 

Agency (total number of positions in the entity): Office of Management 
& Budget (525); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2003; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: EX III ($165,300); 
Overview of responsibilities: The Administrator for the Office of 
Electronic Government and Information Technology sets strategic 
direction for implementing electronic government under applicable 
laws, including the Privacy Act, the Government Paperwork Elimination 
Act, and the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002. 

Agency (total number of positions in the entity): National Security 
Council (72); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1947; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: EX IV ($155,500); 
Overview of responsibilities: The Executive Secretary to the National 
Security Council (NSC) serves in an expanded role as Deputy Assistant 
to the President for National Security Affairs, managing and assessing 
the full range of national security and foreign policies considered by 
the President, NSC, and Homeland Security Council (HSC) as well as 
serves as the NSC's and HSC's focal point for coordinating these 
policies among various government agencies. 

Source: GAO analysis of 2012 data from the 2012 Plum Book, agency 
documents, and applicable laws. 

[A] The Office of Policy Development comprises the Domestic Policy 
Council and the National Economic Council. 

[End of table] 

[End of section] 

Appendix III: PA Positions in Federal Departments or Agencies: 

The table in Appendix III presents information from interactive Figure 
3: PA positions in departments and agencies. 

Agency (total number of positions in the agency): Department of State 
(12,824); 
Number of PA positions: 5; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1945; 
Term/schedule: No term/intermittent; 
Location: Washington, D.C.; Montreal, Quebec; New York, NY; Geneva, 
Switzerland; 
Salary: GS-15 ($99,628-$129,517) to $179,700; 
Overview of responsibilities: PA positions are U.S. representatives to 
United Nations agencies and are responsible for guiding U.S. 
participation in human rights issues and setting standards for 
international civil aviation. These positions are the Representative 
of the United States to the Commission of the Status of Women, the 
Representative of the United States to the International Civil 
Aviation Organization, the Representative of the United States to the 
United Nations Human Rights Council, the Representative of the United 
States to the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the Alternate 
Representative of the United States to the United Nations Children’s 
Fund. 

Agency (total number of positions in the agency): Office of the 
Director of National Intelligence[A]; 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2004; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: ES (senior executive service schedule) ($176,998); 
Overview of responsibilities: The Program Manager for Information 
Sharing Environment coordinates and facilitates the development of a 
network-centric information sharing environment by focusing on 
standards and architecture, security and access, and best practices. 

Agency (total number of positions in the agency): Office of the 
Director of National Intelligence[A]; 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2010; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: ES ($179,700); 
Overview of responsibilities: The Intelligence Community (IC) Chief 
Information Officer manages activities relating to IC Information 
Technology (IT) infrastructure and Enterprise Architecture (EA) 
requirements; exercises procurement approval authority over all IT 
items related to IC EA components; directs/manages IC IT-related 
procurement; ensures all expenditures for IT research and development 
are consistent with the IC EA and the Director of National 
Intelligence’s strategy for such architecture. 

Agency (total number of positions in the agency): Department of 
Homeland Security (198,100); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2003; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: ES ($176,000); 
Overview of responsibilities: The Assistant Secretary for 
Infrastructure Protection carries out comprehensive assessments of the 
vulnerabilities of critical infrastructure of the U.S. Duties include 
determining the risks posed by particular types of terrorist attacks, 
developing a comprehensive national plan for the security of critical 
infrastructure, and recommending measures to protect critical 
infrastructure. 

Agency (total number of positions in the agency): Department of 
Homeland Security (198,100); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2003; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: ES ($173,400;) 
Overview of responsibilities: The Chief Information Officer leads the 
office in the development and maintenance of the DHS Information 
Security Program, which includes oversight and coordination of 
activities associated with the Federal Information Security Management 
Act of 2002. 

Agency (total number of positions in the agency): Central Intelligence 
Agency[B]; 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2010[C]; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: EX II ($179,700); 
Overview of responsibilities: The Deputy Director of CIA assists the 
Director in his duties as head of the CIA and exercises the powers of 
the Director when the Director’s position is vacant or in the Director’
s absence or disability. 

Agency (total number of positions in the agency): U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (101,304); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2008; 
Term/schedule: 6 years/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: EX II ($179,700); 
Overview of responsibilities: The Director of the National Institute 
of Food and Agriculture oversees National Institute of Food and 
Agriculture award funds for a wide range of extramural research, 
education, and extension projects that address the needs of farmers, 
ranchers, and agricultural producers. 

Agency (total number of positions in the agency): U.S. Agency for 
International Development (3,974); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 2008; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Washington, D.C. 
Salary: $157,989; 
Overview of responsibilities: The Bureau for Global Health Malaria 
Coordinator has primary responsibility for the oversight and 
coordination of all resources and international activities of the U.S. 
government relating to efforts to combat malaria. 

Agency (total number of positions in the agency): Department of Health 
and Human Services (86,425); 
Number of PA positions: 1; 
Year PA positions established or authorized: 1972; 
Term/schedule: No term/full time; 
Location: Bethesda, MD; 
Salary: $350,000; 
Overview of responsibilities: The Director of the National Cancer 
Institute directs the research, training, health information 
dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, 
diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, rehabilitation from 
cancer, and the continuing care of cancer patients and the families of 
cancer patients. 

Source: GAO analysis of 2012 data from the 2012 Plum Book, agency 
documents, and applicable laws. 

[A] OPM does not collect data on employment counts for this agency. 

[B] OPM does not collect data on employment counts for this agency. 

[C] This position was established in legislation passed in 2010. 

[End of table] 

[End of section] 

Appendix IV: PA Position Exclusions and Additions: 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Department of Education, Director of the 
Institute of Education Sciences; 
Reason for exclusions: Determined by our statutory review to be a PAS 
position; 
Number excluded: 1. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: United States Agency for International 
Development, Assistant Administrator of Economic Growth, Agriculture, 
and Trade; 
Reason for exclusions: Determined by our statutory review to be a PAS 
position; 
Number excluded: 1. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Office of Management and Budget, Deputy 
General Counsel; 
Reason for exclusions: Determined by our statutory review not to be a 
PA position; 
Number excluded: 1. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Office of the Vice President: 
* Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff; 
* Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Chief of Staff; 
* Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor; 
* Counselor to the Vice President; 
* Deputy Assistant to the President for Economic Policy; 
* Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the Vice 
President; 
* Deputy Assistant to the President and Counsel to the Vice President; 
* Special Assistant to the President and Assistant to the Vice 
President for Communications; 
* Deputy Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff to Dr. Jill 
Biden; 
* Special Assistant to the President and Assistant to the Vice 
President for Intergovernmental Affairs, Public Engagement and 
Correspondence; 
Reason for exclusions: Determined by our statutory review to be 
positions selected by the Vice President rather than the President, 
and therefore not PA positions for purposes of our review[A]; 
Number excluded: 10. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Social Security Advisory Board, Board 
members; 
Reason for exclusions: Determined by our review to be PAS positions; 
Number excluded: 3. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Delaware River Basin, Alternate Federal 
Member; 
Reason for exclusions: Determined by our statutory review to be 
selected by the Federal member (not the President). This position was 
omitted by OPM from the 2012 Plum Book tables, but included in their 
appendix I count of total number of PAs; 
Number excluded: 1. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Federal Mine Safety and Health Review 
Commission, Chairman; 
Reason for exclusions: Determined by our statutory review to be a PAS 
position; 
Number excluded: 1. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Interstate Commission on the Potomac River 
Basin, Commission member; 
Reason for exclusions: We excluded one of the three PA positions 
listed for this commission because Congress, in 2007, specified the 
federal official to hold this position. Consistent with the exclusion 
of similar positions by other organizations as a PA listing, we 
removed this third PA position; 
Number excluded: 1. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Millennium Challenge Corporation; 
* Senior Advisor to the Chief Executive Officer, Office of the Chief 
Executive Office; 
* Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief Executive Office; 
* Deputy General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel; 
* Vice President, Department of Policy and Evaluation; 
* Deputy Vice President, Department of Policy and Evaluation; 
* Vice President, Department of Administration and Finance; 
* Deputy Vice President, Department of Administration and Finance; 
* Vice President, Department of Congressional and Public Affairs; 
* Vice President, Department of Compact Development; 
* Deputy Vice President, Department of Compact Development; 
Reason for exclusions: Determined by our statutory review to be 
positions selected by the Chief Executive Officer; 
Number excluded: 10. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Department of Agriculture, Assistant 
Secretary, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration; 
Administrator, Rural Utilities Service; 
Reason for exclusions: These PA positions listed in the 2012 Plum Book 
were created by the Streamlining Act of 2011, and therefore are 
outside of our scope; 
Number excluded: 2. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Office of National Drug Control Policy, 
Deputy Director, Office of Supply Reduction; 
Reason for exclusions: This PA position listed in the 2012 Plum Book 
was created by the Streamlining Act of 2011, and therefore is outside 
of our scope; 
Number excluded: 1. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council, members; 
Reason for exclusions: There are 55 PA positions created in statute 
for this council, including the Chairman and Vice Chairman. These two 
officials are counted as an addition to the 55 PA council members in 
the 2012 Plum Book, resulting in double-counting; 
Number excluded: 2. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission, 
Commissioner; 
Reason for exclusions: The 2012 Plum book identifies 3 PA positions 
for this commission. However, our statutory review identified a fourth 
PA position created for this organization. We received confirmation on 
the fourth PA by the commission’s staff; 
Number excluded: 1. 

Positions incorrectly listed as PAs in the 2012 Plum Book or otherwise 
excluded from our review: Commission on Civil Rights, Director of 
Staff; 
Reason for exclusions: The Director of Staff for the commission, who 
is not an official member of the commission, is a PA position that 
supports the commission. Therefore, we included this position in our 
scope; 
Number excluded: 1. 

In addition to our exclusions and inclusions of positions listed in 
the 2012 Plum Book, we found that the sum of 364 PAs identified in the 
Plum Book’s Appendix I is an error. The actual sum of PAs that are 
listed in the Appendix I is 363. 

[A] EOP officials noted that while these positions are appointed by 
the Vice President, they also receive commissions from the President. 
This commissioning is required for all federal officers. 

[End of table] 

[End of section] 

Appendix V: Legal Authorities for Presidential Appointments: 

This is a listing of the legal authorities under which the President 
appoints individuals into executive branch positions designated as 
Presidential appointment without Senate Confirmation (PAs) in the 2012 
Plum Book. 

I. Legal authorities for PAs within various commissions, councils, 
committees, boards, and foundations: 

* U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council; 
- An act to establish the United States Holocaust Memorial Council, 
Pub. L. No. 96-388, § 2, 94 Stat. 1547 (Oct. 7, 1980), as amended, 36 
U.S.C. § 2302. 

* U.S. Commission for the Preservation of America’s Heritage Abroad; 
- International Security and Development Cooperation Act of 1985, Pub. 
L. No. 99-83, § 1303, 99 Stat. 190, 280 (Aug. 8, 1985), as amended, 16 
U.S.C. § 469j. 

* Committee for Purchase from People Who Are Blind or Severely 
Disabled; 
- Wagner-O’Day Act, ch. 697, § 1, 52 Stat. 1196 (June 25, 1938) as 
amended (to include severely disabled within coverage of Act, by Pub. 
L. No. 92-28, § 1, 85 Stat. 77 (June 23, 1971)), 41 U.S.C. § 8502. 

* Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board (US 
Access Board); 
- Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Pub. L. No. 93-112, § 502, 87 Stat. 355, 
391 (Sept. 26, 1973), as amended to include Presidential appointments 
by Pub. L. No. 95-602, § 118, 92 Stat. 2955, 2979 (Nov. 6, 1978), 29 
U.S.C. § 792. 

* Christopher Columbus Fellowship Foundation; 
- Christopher Columbus Fellowship Act, Pub. L No. 102-281, title IV, 
subtitle B, § 423, 106 Stat. 133, 142 (May 13, 1992), 20 U.S.C. § 5702. 

* American Battle Monuments Commission; 
- An act for the creation of an American Battle Monuments Commission, 
ch. 283, § 1, 42 Stat. 1509 (Mar. 4, 1923), as amended, 36 U.S.C. § 
2101. 

* Advisory Council on Historic Preservation; 
- National Historic Preservation Act, Pub. L. No. 89-665, § 201, 80 
Stat. 915, 917 (Oct. 15, 1966), as amended, 16 U.S.C. § 470i. 

* Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board; 
- Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987, Pub. L. No. 100-203, 
title V, § 5051, 101 Stat. 1330, 1330-248 (Dec. 22, 1987), as amended, 
42 U.S.C. § 10262. 

* Federal Labor Relations Authority--Federal Impasses Panel; 
- Civil Service Reform Act, Pub. L. No. 95-454, § 701, 92 Stat. 1111, 
1208 (Oct. 13, 1978), 5 U.S.C. § 7119. 

* Arctic Research Commission; 
- Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984, Pub. L. No. 98-373, § 103, 
98 Stat. 1242, 1243 (July 31, 1984), as amended, 15 U.S.C. §§ 4102. 

* Commission of Fine Arts; 
- An act of May 17, 1910, ch. 243, 36 Stat. 371, 40 U.S.C. § 9101. 

* Presidio Trust (Board of Directors); 
- Omnibus Parks and Public Lands Management Act of 1996, Pub. L. No. 
104-333, § 103, 110 Stat. 4093, 4098 (Nov. 12, 1996), as amended, 16 
U.S.C. § 460bb, note. 

* Vietnam Education Foundation (Board of Directors); 
- Vietnam Education Foundation Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-554, Div. 
B, title II, § 205, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A-254 (Dec. 21, 2000), as 
amended, 22 U.S.C. § 2452 note. 

* Utah Reclamation Mitigation and Conservation Commission; 
- Central Utah Project Completion Act, Pub. L. No. 102-575, title III, 
§ 301, 106 Stat. 4600, 4626 (Oct. 30, 1992), as amended, Pub. L. No. 
103-434, § 302, 108 Stat. 4526, 4536 (Oct. 31, 1994). 

* Administrative Conference of the United States; 
- Administrative Conference Act, Pub. L. No. 88-499, § 4, 78 Stat. 
615, 616 (Aug. 30, 1964), as amended, 5 U.S.C. § 593. 

* Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial Commission; 
- Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-79, 
title VIII, § 8162, 113 Stat. 1212, 1274 (Oct. 25, 1999), as amended, 
Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-229, § 
332, 122 Stat. 754, 782 (May 8, 2008). 

* Commission on Civil Rights; 
- Civil Rights Act of 1957, Pub. L. No. 85-315, §§ 101 and 105, 71 
Stat. 634, 636 (Sept. 9, 1957), as amended t0 remove requirement for 
Senate confirmation of presidential appointments by Pub. L. No. 98-
183, § 2, 97 Stat. 1301 (Nov. 30, 1983), 42 U.S.C. §§ 1975 and 1975b. 

* National Capital Planning Commission; 
- An act of June 6, 1924, ch. 270, § 1, 43 Stat. 463, as amended to 
include presidential appointments to the committee, by Pub. L. No. 
592, § 2, 66 Stat. 781, 782 (July 19, 1952), 40 U.S.C. § 8711. 

* Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin; 
- Article I of Compact for the creation of Potomac Valley Conservancy 
District and Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin, 
consented to by Congress, ch. 579, 54 Stat. 748, 749 (July 11, 1940), 
33 U.S.C. § 567b, as amended in 1970 and consented to by Congress, 
Pub. L. No. 91-407, 84 Stat. 856, 857 (Sept. 25, 1970), 33 U.S.C § 
567b-1. 

* U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom; 
- International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, Pub. L. No. 105-292, § 
201, 112 Stat. 2787, 2797 (Oct. 27, 1998), as amended, 22 USC 6431. 

* International Boundary and Water Commission (U.S. and Mexico); 
- Convention Between the United States of America and the United 
States of Mexico Concerning the Boundary Between the United States and 
Mexico, March 1, 1989, U.S.-Mex., art 2, 1 Mallory 1138 (1910) and 
Treaty Between the United States of America and Mexico Respecting 
Utilization of Waters of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio 
Grande, Feb. 3, 1944, U.S.-Mex., art 2, 59 Stat. 1219, 1222 
(indefinitely extended the commission established by the 1989 
Convention). See also, act of August 19, 1935, ch. 561, 49 Stat. 660, 
22 U.S.C. § 277. 

* International Boundary Commission (United States and Canada); 
- Treaty Between the United States of America and the United Kingdom 
Concerning the Boundary Between the United States and the Dominion of 
Canada From the Atlantic Ocean, April 11, 1908, U.S.-Gr. Brit., art 1, 
35 Stat. 2003 and Treaty Between the United States and Great Britain 
in Respect of Boundary Between the United States and Canada, Feb. 24, 
1925, U.S.-Gr. Brit., art. 4, 44 Stat. 2102, 2106 (made commission 
established by the 1908 treaty permanent). 

* Delta Regional Authority; 
- Delta Regional Authority Act of 2000, Pub. L. No. 106-554, title V, 
§ 503, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763-A-269 (Dec. 21, 2000), as amended, 7 
U.S.C. § 2009aa-1. 

II. Legal authorities for PAs within the Executive Office of the 
President (EOP): 

* Chief Financial Officer, EOP; 
- Treasury and General Government Appropriations Act, 2000, Pub. L. 
No. 106-58, title VI, § 638, 113 Stat. 430, 475 (Sept. 29, 1999), 31 
U.S.C. § 901(c). 

* Executive Secretary, National Security Council, EOP; 
- National Security Act of 1947, Pub. L. No. 253, § 101(c), 61 Stat. 
495, 497 (July 26, 1947), 50 U.S.C. § 402(c). 

* Administrator, Office of Electronic Government, Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB), EOP; 
- E-Government Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-347, § 101, 116 Stat. 
2899, 2902 (Dec. 17, 2002), 44 U.S.C. § 3602(b). 

* Various staff positions (including Chief of Staff, Counsel to the 
President, Assistants, Deputy Assistants, Special Assistants, 
Associate and Deputy Associate Counsels) within the White House 
Office, Office of Policy Development, and Office of Administration, 
EOP; 
- Section 301 of the Reorganization Act of 1939, ch. 36, 53 Stat. 561, 
565 (Apr. 3, 1939) authorized the President to appoint 6 
administrative assistants. Additional general authority for the 
President to appoint and compensate individuals into positions within 
the EOP was provided primarily through annual appropriation acts until 
1978 when Congress passed the permanent legislative authority 
currently in place. Pub. L. No. 95-570, §§ 1(a) and 2(a), 92 Stat. 
2445 (Nov. 2, 1978), relevant sections codified at 3 U.S.C. §§ 105 and 
107. 

III. Legal authorities for PAs within departments and agencies: 

* U.S. Representatives to United Nations entities, Department of State; 
- United Nations Participation Act of 1945, Pub. L. No. 264, § 2(d), 
59 Stat. 619, 620 (Dec. 20, 1945), as amended, 22 U.S.C. § 287(d). 

* Director, National Cancer Institute, Department of Health and Human 
Services; 
- National Cancer Act of 1971, Pub. L. No. 92-216, § 5, 85 Stat. 778, 
785 (Dec. 23, 1971), 42 U.S.C. § 284(a). 

* Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection, Department of 
Homeland Security (DHS); 
- Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-296, § 201, 116 Stat. 
2135, 2145 (Nov. 25, 2002), 6 U.S.C. § 121(b)(3). 

* Chief Information Officer, DHS; 
- Homeland Security Act of 2002, Pub. L. No. 107-296, § 103, 116 Stat. 
2135, 2144 (Nov. 25, 2002), 6 U.S.C. § 113(d)(2). 

* Deputy Director, Central Intelligence Agency; 
- Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, Pub. L. No. 111-
259, § 423(a), 124 Stat. 2654, 2728 (Oct. 7, 2010), 50 U.S.C. § 403-
4c(a). 

* Program Manager Information Sharing Environment, Office of the 
Director of National Intelligence (ODNI); 
- National Security Intelligence Reform Act of 2004, Pub. L. No. 108-
458, title I, § 1016(f), 118 Stat. 3638, 3667 (Dec. 17, 2004), 6 
U.S.C. § 485(f). 

* Chief Information Officer Intelligence Community, ODNI; 
- Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2005, Pub. L. No. 108-
487, § 303, 118 Stat. 3939, 3944 (Dec. 23, 2004), as amended to remove 
requirement for Senate confirmation of presidential appointment by 
Pub. L. No. 111-259, § 404, 124 Stat. 2654, 2709 (Oct. 7, 2010), 50 
U.S.C. § 403-3g(a). 

* Director, National Institute of Food and Agriculture, Department of 
Agriculture; 
- Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008, Pub. L. No. 110-246, § 
7511(a)(4), 122 Stat. 1651, 2021 (June 18, 2008), 7 U.S.C. § 
6971(f)(3). 

* Malaria Coordinator, U.S. Agency for International Development; 
- Tom Lantos and Henry J. Hyde U.S. Global Leadership Against 
HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Reauthorization Act of 2008, Pub. 
L. No. 110-293, § 304, 122 Stat. 2918, 2961 (July 30, 2008), 22 U.S.C. 
§ 7634. 

[End of section] 


Briefing slides footnotes: 

[1] Pub. L. No. 112-166,126 Stat.1283. 

[2] See Congressional Research Service report, Presidential 
Appointments, the Senate’s Confirmation Process, and Changes Made in 
the 112th Congress (Washington, D.C.: Oct.9, 2012). 

[3] For purposes of our review, we include all SES general positions 
filled by noncareer appointment and for a limited emergency or limited 
term. This number may include SES positions that are not political 
appointments because limited and emergency term appointments may be 
political or nonpolitical in nature. 

[4] The PA positions discussed in this briefing are based on data in 
the 2012 Plum Book that were reported by agencies to OPM as of October 
2012. 

[5] In accordance with the Streamlining Act of 2011, we report 
information for PAs in the executive branch. Therefore, positions in 
the legislative and judicial branches are not included in our scope. 

[6] Please see appendix IV for a list of the PA positions included in 
the 2012 Plum Book that we excluded from our review and the two PA 
positions within organizations listed in our review that were 
incorrectly omitted from the Plum Book. 

[7] See detailed descriptions of the 214 positions in the interactive 
graphic on slide 18 and in appendix I. 

[8] Eleven of these PAs must be employees of specified agencies. 

[9] Ex-officio members may designate an alternate individual to 
represent the official. 

[10] For a detailed description of the salary for each organization, 
see the interactive graphic on slide 18 and appendix I. 

[11] See detailed description of the establishment, location, and 
length of service for each organization in the graphic on slide 15 and 
appendix I. 

[12] In some instances, members of these bodies can serve more than 
one term. 

[13] See detailed descriptions of 94 positions in the Interactive 
graphic on slide 26 and appendix II. 

[14] For example, Congress specified that those appointed or 
designated as CFOs are to possess demonstrated ability in general 
management of, knowledge of and extensive practical experience in 
financial management practices in large governmental or business 
entities. 

[15] The appointment and compensation authorities set forth under 3 
U.S.C. §§105 and 107 generally provide for a limited number of 
positions paid at the higher salary levels (Executive Schedule II, 
III, and IV) and no limits on the number of positions paid at the 
lower salary levels ($119,554 or less). Three positions within the EOP 
were specifically established by laws which authorized a specific 
salary for each position. 

[16] Seventy-two of the 94 positions are compensated at salary levels 
ranging from $130,000 to $172,200. These positions exist in the White 
House Office (59 positions), the Office of Policy Development (9 
positions), the Office of Administration (2 positions), the National 
Security Council (1 position), and OMB (1 position). 

[17] Reorganization Act of 1939, ch. 36, §301, 53 Stat. 561, 565 
(April 3, 1939). 

[18] Pub. L. No. 95-570, 92 Stat. 2445 (Nov. 2, 1978), relevant 
provisions codified at 3 U.S.C. §§ 105 and 107. 

[19] See detailed description of each of the 13 PA positions on slide 
33 and appendix III. 

[20] These five positions are the Representative of the United States 
to the Commission of the Status of Women, the Representative of the 
United States to the International Civil Aviation Organization, the 
Representative of the United States to the United Nations Human Rights 
Council, the Representative of the United States to the United Nations 
Children’s Fund, and the Alternate Representative of the United States 
to the United Nations Children’s Fund. 

[21] In line with the scope of our review, these numbers do not 
reflect changes to PAS and PA positions made under the Streamlining 
Act of 2011. 

[22] Salary range is based on OPM’s Pay Schedules for fiscal year 
2012, which at the time of our review were still in effect. 

[23] $179,700 reflects the maximum salary for agencies with a 
certified SES performance appraisal system. 

[24] Salary range is based on salaries for Schedule Cs reported in the 
2012 Plum Book. 

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