Call on the Office of Personnel Management to reject proposed rules transferring federal employee suitability action and reduction-in-force appeals from the Merit Systems Protection Board to OPM.

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) joined Senate colleagues to urge the Trump Administration's Office of Personnel Management (OPM) against implementing two rules that would severely weaken longstanding civil service protections for federal employees. In the first letter, the Senators urged OPM to reject its proposed rule that would transfer jurisdiction over suitability action appeals... from the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) to OPM. In the second letter, the Senators urged OPM to reject its proposed rule that would transfer jurisdiction over RIF appeals from the MSPB to OPM.

Blumenthal joined Senate letters urging OPM to reject two proposed rules that would move suitability action and reduction-in-force appeals from the independent MSPB to OPM.

Blumenthal Presses Trump Administration to Reverse Course on Rollback of Federal Employee Protections
primary · press_release · model gpt-5.5

Senator Blumenthal's office said he joined Senate colleagues in urging OPM not to implement two proposed rules on Suitability Action and Reduction in Force appeals, and that the senators submitted two letters during OPM's official comment periods. The release says the first letter urged OPM to reject transferring suitability action appeals from MSPB to OPM, and the second urged OPM to reject transferring RIF appeals from MSPB to OPM.

Direct official evidence that Blumenthal made the promised call on OPM for both proposed rules during his current Senate term.

delivered same_term A for effort

Blumenthal, Colleagues Presses Trump Administration to Reverse Course on Rollback of Federal Employee Protections
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 98%

The March 9, 2026 letter to OPM Director Scott Kupor states opposition to OPM proposed rule OPM-2025-0173-0001 on Suitability Action Appeals, argues the proposal would transfer suitability appeals from MSPB to OPM, and urges OPM to withdraw the rule. Richard Blumenthal is listed as a signatory.

Direct signed letter evidence that Blumenthal called on OPM to reject or withdraw the suitability-action appeals transfer rule.

delivered same_term A for effort

Comment Letter on OPM Rule - Suitability Appeals Rights
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 97%

The March 12, 2026 letter to OPM Director Scott Kupor states opposition to the proposed Reduction in Force Appeals rule, document 2026-02576, because it would move RIF appeal venue from MSPB to OPM. The letter says the senators strongly urge OPM to reject the proposal, and Richard Blumenthal is listed as a signatory.

Direct signed letter evidence that Blumenthal called on OPM to reject the RIF appeals transfer rule.

delivered same_term A for effort

Comment Letter on OPM Rule - RIF Appeals Rights
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 97%

OPM's Federal Register proposed rule says it would amend the review process for suitability actions and proposes to move the venue for suitability action appeals from the Merit Systems Protection Board to OPM. The notice set a March 9, 2026 comment deadline.

Official rule text confirms the suitability-action proposal targeted by Blumenthal's March 9 letter and the relevant comment period.

partial same_term

Federal Register: Suitability Action Appeals, 91 FR 5352, FR Doc. 2026-02449
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 94%

OPM's Federal Register proposed rule says it proposes to transfer appeal rights for employees affected by reduction-in-force actions from MSPB to OPM. The notice set a March 12, 2026 comment deadline.

Official rule text confirms the RIF appeals proposal targeted by Blumenthal's March 12 letter and the relevant comment period.

partial same_term

Federal Register: Reduction in Force Appeals, 91 FR 5861, FR Doc. 2026-02576
secondary · model gpt-5.5 · confidence 94%