Non-partisan, career federal workers provide the American people specialized expertise, continuity, and accountability in government, ensuring that public services remain effective and democratic principles are upheld. Research has shown that “recruiting, appointing, promoting, and offering tenure protection to bureaucrats was positively and consistently associated with government performance.” That means benefits are delivered faster, air and water safety is better protected, health and safety concerns are better investigated, and more.

Civil servants are nonpartisan experts who pledge an oath to defend the Constitution, not a political party. They are responsible not just to the President but to Congress and, most importantly, the American people. Studies show that countries that hire government employees based on political loyalty rather than non-partisan merit are more prone to corruption and favoritism. This is why the U.S. Congress has — since the late-1800s — established, protected, and fortified a stable, professional, nonpartisan civil service.

Civil servants often take on difficult but vital work on behalf of the American people — from national security and intelligence roles to disaster relief and emergency response. They serve across presidential administrations, providing stability and continuity to people across the country who rely on government services like Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and more to be carried out regardless of the political environment.