The Senate confirmed Scott Kupor, a venture capital executive, as director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in a 49-46 vote, with Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) as the only Republican opposing alongside Democrats. Kupor, nominated by President Donald Trump, emphasized making “tough choices” to address budget deficits during his April 3, 2025, confirmation hearing but was vague on Trump’s workforce reduction plans, including deferred resignations and mass layoffs, advocating for restructuring through communication and respect for employees’ rights. Max Stier of the Partnership for Public Service praised Kupor’s private sector experience but expressed caution about his leadership approach, stressing the importance of a nonpartisan civil service. Under Trump, OPM has pushed for changes in federal hiring, performance standards, and removing job protections for policy-related roles, which critics argue politicizes the workforce. Major federal employee unions did not comment on the nomination.
https://www.govexec.com/management/2025/07/senate-confirms-new-office-personnel-management-head-mostly-party-line-vote/406617/
