The latest chapter in the ongoing negotiations over the Senate Surface Transportation Bill has opened, and the story being told is one that we’ve heard time and time again.
Late last week, Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) introduced an amendment to the massive piece of legislation extending the federal pay freeze for an additional year. According to a recent article from Government Executive Magazine, the money saved by freezing your pay would be used to pay for oil and gas exploration, among other energy provisions. Were this amendment to become law, federal workers would not see another pay adjustment until 2014.
“If it was not clear before that some in Congress are looking to target the federal workforce at any opportunity, it is abundantly clear now,” said NFFE National President William R. Dougan. “First the excuse was deficit reduction, then it was about ‘leveling the playing-field with the private sector,’ and now it’s about subsidizing oil and gas exploration? Give me a break.”
Though the amendment has yet to see a vote in committee, which is required to officially attach it to the legislation, federal employees need to stay vigilant in opposing this legislation.
“The only ones who can stop these Congressional attacks on federal workers are federal workers,” said Dougan. “Congress is supposed to serve us, the American people, not the other way around. Call or write your Senators today and tell them to oppose the Roberts amendment to the Surface Transportation Bill.”
You can reach elected officials by calling the Capitol Switchboard at (202) 224-3121. When calling your Senators, be sure to call as a constituent, on your own time, using your own phone.
