CONGRESSMAN CUELLAR’S INITIATIVES SPUR OBAMA EXECUTIVE ORDER
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Apr 30, 2011, 0 Comments
Couresy Jose Borjon,
President Obama signed Executive Order that includes customer service standards of Public Law PL 111-352
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Cuellar (TX-28) announced that new landmark standards set for the Federal Government will be released and will build upon a government efficiency law and customer service legislation he authored.
President Obama on Wednesday signed Executive Order 12862 – Streamlining Service Delivery and Improving Customer Service, as required by Congressman Cuellar’s law, Public Law 111-352, the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act. The President’s Executive Order also aligns with legislation authored by Congressman Cuellar in 2008, regarding raising customer service standards at the federal level.
“Americans deserve responsive and friendly customer service from their federal government,” said Congressman Cuellar. “I have always believed that improving customer service and creating more efficient government operations within agencies will provide the best profit and return for taxpayer dollars. This executive order builds upon my work on improving federal customer service and reinforces the importance of agencies integrating customer service into their goals.”
The Executive Order signed on Wednesday requires that federal agencies create customer service plans, and that the plans be integrated into agencies specific customer service goals and annual agency performance plans and reports. Public Law 111-352, the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act, also calls for those measures.
The President’s Executive Order closely aligns with Congressman Cuellar’s legislation, H.R. 358 to improve customer service standards within the federal government, as well. While federal agencies do provide customer service, currently, the government is not tracking their performance to ensure that taxpayers are provided high-quality, customer-friendly and adequate services.
“Government efficiency and improving the federal government’s customer service has been a priority since I was first elected to Congress,” said Congressman Cuellar. “One of the biggest concerns I’ve heard as I tour my district is that government doesn’t have adequate customer service standards. Taxpayers work hard for their money – when we create federal programs, it should be responsive to our citizen’s concerns. This is a step in the right direction for the federal government and customer service.”
As Public Law 111-352, the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act, continues to go through its implementation phase, Congressman Cuellar will continue to work on of H.R. 358, Federal Customer Service Enhancement Act, which he hopes to enact into law. The legislation would implement additional customer service criteria at the federal level.
