Route CEA senior economist hiring through Presidential Personnel on White House calendar
Mandate criticizes academic-year hiring that leaves holdover economists and recommends mid-January hiring involving the Office of Presidential Personnel so CEA staff are vetted for alignment with White House policy objectives.
Mandate
Mandate Ch. 2 (Executive Office of the President) — CEA: senior economists traditionally have not gone through PPO and are hired on academic-year cycles leaving holdovers; future Administration should consider hiring that reflects the White House calendar (mid-January) and involves Presidential Personnel.
Undo plan
1) Restore CEA hiring practices emphasizing professional economics credentials over political alignment screening.
2) Preserve staggered academic appointments that maintain analytical continuity across transitions.
3) Limit PPO role to political chair/members; keep staff economists nonpolitical where statute intends independent advice.
4) Codify CEA’s appraisal—not messaging—function in staff manuals.
5) Verify: CEA staffing timelines and credentials published; Economic Report integrity peer review.