Legislation that feds should be watching
Here is a list of some of the most relevant bills under consideration that federal employees should be watching.
- By Derek B. Johnson
- Feb 16, 2017
The new Congress and presidential administration has brought a wave of legislation that would affect federal government employees. Here is a list of some of the most relevant bills under consideration as well as their current status in becoming law.
H.R. 899 — To Terminate the Department of Education
Summary: Proposed by Rep. Kyle Massie (R-KY), this bill would eliminate the Department of Education on Dec. 31, 2018.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce
H.R. 861 — To Terminate the Environmental Protection Agency
Summary: Proposed by Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), this bill would eliminate the Environmental Protection Agency on Dec. 31, 2018.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology
H.R. 559 — Modern Employment Reform Improvement and Transformation Act (or “MERIT” Act)
Summary: Proposed by Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), the MERIT Act would empower agency heads to fire federal employees for misconduct or performance-related reasons. Employees must be given written notice one to three weeks in advance of being terminated, with specific reasons listed for the action and a final date of employment. Affected employees would have the opportunity to appeal the decision to the Merit Systems Protection Board, which will either uphold or reverse the decision based on whether there is “substantial evidence” to support the firing.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
H.R. 6278 — Promote Accountability and Government Efficiency Act (or “PAGE” Act)
Summary: Proposed by Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN), the PAGE Act would change the employment of all future hires by the federal government to “at-will” status, meaning they may be suspended or fired without notice or appeal “for good cause, bad cause [or] no cause at all.” It prohibits all but the most highly-rated federal employees from receiving a pay raise, limits the avenues of appeal and specifies that a grievance filed by a union which results in a higher rating will not result in a pay raise. The bill also prevents federal employees from using official time to conduct any business related to union activities.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
H.R. 757 — Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act (or “FAIR” Act)
Summary: Proposed by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the FAIR Act would establish two separate increases in basic pay for all federal employees totaling 3.2 percent for calendar and fiscal year 2018. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) has introduced a version of this bill in the Senate as well.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform
H.R. 295 — Rebalance for an Effective Defense Uniformed and Civilian Employees Act (or “REDUCE” Act)
Summary: Proposed by Rep. Ken Calvert (R-CA), the REDUCE Act would limit employment at the Department of Defense to 85 percent of its 2018 workforce for the fiscal years 2024-2028. It empowers the Secretary of Defense to authorize severance and voluntary early retirement payments to achieve the necessary force reductions, as well as involuntary dismissals in the event that voluntary departures are not sufficient. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to submit a progress report to Congress within three years of the bill’s enactment.
Status: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services
H.R. 27 — Ensuring VA Accountability Act
Summary: Proposed by Rep. Ryan Costello (R-PA), this bill would amend U.S. law to ensure that any employee at the Department of Veterans Affairs who receives a reprimand or admonishment be entered into that employees permanent record.
Status: Passed the House; referred to Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
S.272 — Strengthening American Transportation Security Act
Summary: Proposed by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), this bill would restore workplace protections to TSA employees under Title 5 of the U.S. Code governing federal employees. It would place TSA employees under the General Services wage system, including rules governing overtime, performance appraisals, employment discrimination and earned leave. It would also place employees under the Fair Labor Standards act.
Status: Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
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Derek Johnson is a freelance writer with a Master's degree in public policy. His other work has appeared in The Washington Post, GoodCall News, Foreign Policy Journal, Elevation DC, Connection Newspapers and The Maryland Gazette.