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Van Hollen, Colleagues Press OPM on Firings of Constituent Services Liaisons

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) led 15 of his colleagues in pressing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) for answers regarding the firing of its constituent services liaisons. Congressional offices work with these liaisons to assist constituents currently or previously serving in the federal government. In their letter to OPM Acting Director Charles Ezell, the Senators raise concern over the lack of information from OPM regarding significant changes to the congressional liaison office, including its possible closure, and highlight how these cuts will harm their ability to assist constituent-federal workers and their families with human resources-related matters, such as obtaining earned retirement benefits, disability retirement benefits, and survivors benefits. Senator Van Hollen was joined in sending this letter by Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Mark Warner (D-Va.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).

“We are writing to express serious concern regarding the recent termination of constituent services liaisons within the Office of Personnel Management’s Congressional, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (CLIA) component, the possible closure of CLIA, and the implications these decisions have on the processing and resolution of current and future congressional inquiries on behalf of our constituents across the country. We understand OPM has informed Congressional offices of ‘significant changes’ to CLIA, however, the notice was insufficient as it lacked essential details about the methods, process, and timeline for these changes,” the Senators began.

“As you know, CLIA plays a critical role in facilitating communication between OPM and the legislative branch, including responding to inquiries and ensuring that members of Congress can assist constituents experiencing difficulties with OPM-related matters,” they continued, going on to ask a series of questions for Acting Director Ezell’s response regarding the future plans for OPM Congressional liaison and constituent services staff, as well as the status of pending cases that they have not received responses to.

“It is essential for the public to have confidence that their elected representatives have oversight of federal agency operations and that inquiries on individual constituent matters to OPM will be treated as seriously and comprehensively as our constituents deserve,” the Senators concluded.

A copy of the letter, including the questions the Senators ask of Acting Director Ezell, is available here and below.

Dear Mr. Ezell,

We are writing to express serious concern regarding the recent termination of constituent services liaisons within the Office of Personnel Management’s Congressional, Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs (CLIA) component, the possible closure of CLIA, and the implications these decisions have on the processing and resolution of current and future congressional inquiries on behalf of our constituents across the country. We understand OPM has informed Congressional offices of “significant changes” to CLIA, however, the notice was insufficient as it lacked essential details about the methods, process, and timeline for these changes.

As you know, CLIA plays a critical role in facilitating communication between OPM and the legislative branch, including responding to inquiries and ensuring that members of Congress can assist constituents experiencing difficulties with OPM-related matters. Given this vital role, the termination of CLIA employees and reported closure of CLIA raises several important questions that demand clarification:

  1. Are there plans to eliminate CLIA? If so, how does OPM intend to process current and future congressional inquiries?
  2. There have been reports, including some from our staff members, that some congressional inquiries have been deleted or prematurely closed without resolution, and in some cases, without any communication to our offices whatsoever. Please confirm whether these reports are accurate, and if so, what steps are being taken to ensure that all inquiries are properly addressed and resolved.
  3. How many congressional liaisons remain with CLIA? Will terminated CLIA employees be reassigned within OPM, or will their positions be eliminated? 
  4. Are CLIA employees who opt for deferred resignation deemed permanently ineligible for employment with the federal government? 

We would appreciate your review and response by June 13, 2025. It is essential for the public to have confidence that their elected representatives have oversight of federal agency operations and that inquiries on individual constituent matters to OPM will be treated as seriously and comprehensively as our constituents deserve.