Federal employees who have met with the Senator have expressed their concerns over provisions that would give the administration broad powers to alter or even wave employee protections now existing in law. One particular concern of employees is the ability the administration seeks to alter the appeals process that applies to federal employees.
"I am concerned that the flexibility to alter the provisions, that govern the rights of federal employees to appeal adverse employment actions may exceed the powers actually needed by the new Secretary," said Senator Collins.
"I understand the need for flexibility in creating the new Department and am confident that the administration would not misuse its new powers. Nevertheless, I believe that the authority the House bill grants the administration to alter the appeals process should be limited so that a workable appeals process could not be denied the Department's employees."
The new department will have nearly 200,000 employees and a $40 billion dollar budget and will be created by combining nearly two dozen federal agencies.