As Congress moves towards renewed budget discussions, a group of House lawmakers have banded together to protect the interests of federal employees. The group has forwarded a resolution aimed at respecting and protecting federal employees from further reductions in benefits and personnel.
Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio) introduced a resolution “expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting federal employees,” which dozens of her colleagues have signed on.
Since 2010, federal workers have experienced a three-year pay freeze, cyclical furloughs, and a reduction in retirement benefits. These reductions, coupled with the recent government shutdown, have led some lawmakers to take a stance in defending the rights and wellbeing of federal employees.
“Congress should recognize that efforts to reduce the compensation and support provided for federal employees undermine our government’s ability to meet its obligations to its citizens and hurt federal agencies’ ability to recruit and retain a high-quality workforce,” the resolution reads.
“After witnessing the inability of Congress to pass a clean CR in a responsible timeframe, it is difficult to be optimistic about the upcoming budget negotiations,” said NFFE National President William R. Dougan. “However the Budget negotiations shape up, NFFE will be working to make sure federal employees do not get dragged through the mud once more. Federal workers have been through enough; Congress needs to look elsewhere for their cuts.”