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NARFE National Pres. Ken Thomas Testifies Before Congress on the Future of Federal Work

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NARFE Online

NARFE National President Ken Thomas Testifies Before Congress on the Future of Federal Work

NARFE National President Ken Thomas testified before the House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations on December 1, 2021, in a hearing considering the future of federal work.

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Thomas’ testimony, delivered via Zoom, emphasized the need for the federal government and Congress to adopt reforms necessary to attract the next generation of workers. Outlining the precarious situation of the workforce, Thomas highlighted the Government Accountability Office’s continuing assessment that agencies face missioncritical skills gaps. This problem is compounded by the fact that nearly 28 percent of federal employees are eligible to retire in the next five years, but only 8 percent of federal employees are under the age of 30. This shortage of younger workers makes it harder to compensate for the loss of institutional knowledge by those retiring and creates new challenges to fill those open positions.

Thomas underscored the need to simplify and streamline federal hiring practices to improve recruitment and retention. Currently, the federal government’s average time to hire is 98 days, significantly higher than the private sector average of 36 days.

Thomas also emphasized the need for the federal government to provide competitive compensation. According to the Federal Salary Council, federal employees are paid 23 percent less than their private-sector counterparts. He stressed that

to keep up with the competition, the government must adopt competitive pay and benefits; modern work practices, such as flexible telework and paid family leave; improve federal internship programs; and more.

In response to a question from Subcommittee Chairman Gerry Connolly, D-VA, Thomas identified federal internship programs as a crucial part of the government’s “toolbelt” for recruitment and noted that they should serve as a “pipeline to encourage people to apply or join the federal workforce.” The government’s paid internships have shrunk considerably over the last decade, from 60,000 paid interns in 2010 to only about 4,000 in 2020.

NARFE supports the chairman’s Building the Next Generation of Federal Employees Act, H.R. 6104, which would rejuvenate federal internship programs and help convert qualified interns to federal employees. To do so, the bill would establish a Federal Internship and Fellowship Center within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to manage, administer and promote the programs, including a website where agencies can post internships for applicants to browse. It would also require that federal interns be paid for their service and would provide successful interns with an added five points for their competitive service examination rating in recognition of their experience.

Furthermore, Thomas emphasized the importance of revitalizing OPM to meet the needs of an evolving federal workforce. He affirmed NARFE’s support for the Strengthening the Office of Personnel Management Act, H.R. 6066, which would implement several recommendations from a report by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) outlining ways to improve OPM. The report, which NARFE pushed for and which was mandated by Congress, provides numerous suggestions for bettering OPM’s services and for solidifying its leadership in federal human capital management. H.R 6066 was approved by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform just a day after NARFE’s testimony. As of press time, the bill had not yet been taken up by the full chamber.

THE NARFE BILL TRACKER IS YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LEGISLATION NARFE IS FOLLOWING. CHECK BACK EACH ISSUE FOR UPDATES.

ISSUE BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR

H.R. 82/S. 1302: The Social Security Fairness Act / Rep. Rodney Davis, R-IL / Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-OH

Cosponsors: H.R. 82: 185 (D) 58 (R) S. 1302: 31 (D) 4 (R) 2 (I) H.R. 2337: The Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act / Rep. Richard Neal, D-MA Cosponsors: H.R. 2337: 185 (D) 0 (R)

WHAT BILL WOULD DO LATEST ACTION(S)

Repeals both the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means (H.R. 82) / Referred to Senate Committee on Finance (S. 1302)

Reforms the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) by providing a monthly rebate of $150 to current beneficiaries (age 62 or older before 2023) and creating a new formula to calculate benefits for future WEP-affected individuals (turning 62 in or after 2023). Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

SOCIAL SECURITY

NARFE CENTENNIAL

DC STATEHOOD

H.R. 4788: Well-Being for Every Public Servant Act of 2021 / Rep. Julia Letlow, R-LA

Cosponsors: H.R. 4788: 0 Fully repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision for individuals whose combined monthly income from their non-Social Security covered government annuity and Social Security benefits is $5,500 or lower, with graduated implementation on benefits above that amount. Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

H.R. 5723: Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust / Rep. John Larson, D-CT

Cosponsors: H.R. 5723: 196 (D) 0 (R) Expands and strengthens Social Security benefits, improves the solvency of the Social Security trust fund, repeals the Windfall Elimination Provision and Government Pension Offset, and provides for numerous other Social Security related improvements.

H.R. 5834: Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act of 2021/ Rep. Kevin Brady, R-TX Cosponsors: H.R. 5834: 3 (D) 41 (R)

H.Res. 131/S.Res. 76: Resolution Celebrating NARFE’s Centennial / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA / Sen. Ben Cardin, D-MD

Cosponsors: H.Res. 131: 15 (D) 4 (R) S.Res. 76: 3 (D) 2 (R) Congratulates NARFE on the celebration of its 100th anniversary on February 19, 2021, and recognizes the vital contributions its members have made to the United States during the past 100 years. Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.Res. 131) / Agreed to in the Senate by unanimous consent on February 25, 2021 (S.Res. 76)

Reforms the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) by providing a monthly payment of $100 to current WEPaffected beneficiaries (age 62 or older before 2023) and $50 for an affected spouse or child. Creates a new formula to calculate benefits for future WEPaffected individuals (turning 62 in or after 2023). Referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Education and Labor, and Energy and Commerce

Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means

H.R. 51/S. 51 Washington D.C. Admission Act / Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-DC / Sen. Thomas Carper, D-DE Cosponsors: H.R. 51: 216 (D) 0 (R) S. 51: 44 (D) 0 (R) 1 (I) Provides for the admission of the State of Washington, DC, into the Union. Passed the House on April 22, 2021, by a vote of 216-208 / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 51)

THE NARFE BILL TRACKER IS YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LEGISLATION NARFE IS FOLLOWING. CHECK BACK EACH ISSUE FOR UPDATES.

ISSUE BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR

FEDERAL PERSONNEL POLICY

H.R. 302: Preventing a Patronage System Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors: H.R. 302: 9 (D) 3 (R) H.R. 6066: Strengthening the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA

Cosponsors: H.R. 6066: 1 (D) 1 (R)

H.R. 6104: Building the Next Generation of Federal Employees Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA

Cosponsors: H.R. 6104: 0 (D) 0 (R)

FEDERAL COMPENSATION

POSTAL REFORM

H.R. 392/S. 561: The Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA / Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI

Cosponsors: H.R. 392: 60 (D) 1 (R) S. 561: 12 (D) 0 (R) 1 (I)

H.R. 564/S. 1158:

Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act / Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY / Sen. Brian Schatz, D-HI

Cosponsors: H.R. 564: 33 (D) 0 (R) S. 1158: 4 (D) 0 (R) H.R. 3076/S. 1720: The Postal Service Reform Act / Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY / Sen. Gary Peters, D-MI Cosponsors: H.R. 3076: 58 (D) 44 (R) S. 1720: 14 (D) 12 (R) 1(I)

H.R. 695/S. 145: USPS Fairness Act / Rep. Peter DeFazio, D-OR / Sen. Steve Daines, R-MT

Cosponsors: H.R. 695: 218 (D) 59 (R) S. 145: 5 (D) 5 (R)

WHAT BILL WOULD DO LATEST ACTION(S)

Requires presidential administrations to obtain the agreement of Congress to reclassify competitive service positions outside of merit system principles. Advanced from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform in a 22-18 vote

Codifies several recommendations for OPM by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), such as clarifying that OPM stands at the center of federal civilian human resource management and ensuring the director of OPM possesses human capital and leadership expertise. Establishes a comprehensive Federal Internship and Fellowship Center within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to administer, manage and promote all federal internship and fellowship programs. The bill also credits fellows and interns who meet all qualifications with an additional five points in the competitive service examination. Provides federal employees with a 3.2 percent average pay raise in 2022. Advanced from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform by a vote of 25-14

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 392) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 561)

Extends paid leave to federal and postal employees for all conditions covered by the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Approved by the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 564) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 1158)

Creates a new Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program starting in January 2023. All postal employees and retirees would be moved to the new PSHB program, except Medicareeligible postal retirees who do not enroll in Medicare. Because retirees without Medicare tend to cost more to insure, this bill, as approved by Committee, risks increasing premiums for federal employees and retirees enrolled in Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program plans. Repeals the U.S. Postal Service’s prefunding requirement. Advanced from the House Committee on Oversight and Reform by voice vote (H.R. 3076) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 1720)

Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform (H.R. 695) / Referred to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs (S. 145)

THE NARFE BILL TRACKER IS YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO LEGISLATION NARFE IS FOLLOWING. CHECK BACK EACH ISSUE FOR UPDATES.

ISSUE BILL NUMBER / NAME / SPONSOR

H.R. 304: The Equal COLA Act / Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-VA Cosponsors: H.R. 304: 24 (D) 3 (R)

WHAT BILL WOULD DO LATEST ACTION(S)

Provides Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) retirees with the same annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) as Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) retirees. Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

FEDERAL ANNUITIES

H.R. 4315: The Fair COLA for Seniors Act / Rep. John Garamendi, D-CA

Cosponsors: H.R. 4315: 44 (D) 1 (R) Requires Social Security and federal retirement programs to use the Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E) to calculate cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) to retirement benefits. Referred to the House Committees on Ways and Means, Veterans’ Affairs, Oversight and Reform, and Armed Services

H.R. 4268: Federal Retirement Fairness Act / Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-WA

Cosponsors: H.R. 4268: 15 (D) 11 (R) Allows federal employees who started their careers in temporary positions before transitioning into permanent roles to retroactively contribute toward their retirement for the years they held a temporary position. Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform

NARFE’s Position: Support Oppose No position

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