"Top House Democrats are calling on congressional appropriators to block funding for President Trump's order that would make it easier to fire career employees like EPA scientists.

In a letter to House and Senate appropriators, the Democrats said Trump's order could allow partisan loyalists to take over the government.

The order, issued last month, would create a new "Schedule F" class for federal employees. It was seen as a way to ease the administration's hiring and firing of certain workers.

"We write with great urgency to request that the forthcoming continuing resolution or omnibus spending bill include language that reverses the implementation of this executive order and requires the immediate return of any federal employee reclassified pursuant to it," wrote Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), chairman of the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations, and House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.)."

Kelsey Brugger reports for E&E News November 25, 2020. [2]