Democratic Senators Pledge to Support Federal Workforce

A resolution recently introduced in the Senate pledges to support the federal workforce with “five fights for federal employees.”

A resolution introduced recently in the Senate pledges to support federal employees.

The resolution (S. Res. 51) is sponsored by Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and has 14 co-sponsors, all Democrats. The resolution promises to support federal employees and pledges “to oppose efforts to reduce Federal workforce pay and benefits, eliminate civil service employment protections, undermine collective bargaining, and increase the use of non-Federal contractors for inherently governmental activities.”

It says the Senators will work to undermine Republican proposals that have been put forth recently in the new Congress. Among them are reinstating the Holman rule, proposals to cut federal employee retirement benefits, or efforts to reduce the size of the federal workforce.

The resolution lists five specific areas that the Senators said they will work to deter, specifically actions taken that:

  1. Erode fair pay for federal employees
  2. Attempt to cut federal retirement benefits
  3. Diminish strength of federal employee unions
  4. Reduce federal workers’ due process rights
  5. Increase the use of contract labor

Hirono said in a statement:

When it comes to federal workers, it’s clear that the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are operating with alternative facts. We have fewer federal workers than we had 50 years ago, and 85 percent of them work outside the beltway. They keep us safe, inspect our food and medicine, and preserve our national parks. They make a big difference in the lives of the people and communities they serve. I will continue to fight against any attempt the administration makes to deny these public servants the benefits they’ve earned.

About the Author

Ian Smith is one of the co-founders of FedSmith.com. He has over 20 years of combined experience in media and government services, having worked at two government contracting firms and an online news and web development company prior to his current role at FedSmith.