Federal Managers Association

Press Release

• FMA COMMENDS HOUSE PASSAGE OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GENERAL GOVERNMENT FUNDING BILL - June 26, 2019
• Includes pay raise for 2020 and blocks implementation of proposed OPM Merger with GSA
  
  
  Alexandria, VA – On Wednesday, June 26, the House of Representatives passed the Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill for Fiscal Year 2020 (H.R. 3351) by a vote of 224-196. The bill provides for a 3.1 percent pay raise for feds in 2020, and would prevent the administration’s proposed merger of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) with the General Services Administration (GSA). Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Renee Johnson made the following comments on the subcommittee passage of the legislation:
  
  
  "FMA commends the House of Representatives on passing this important funding bill for FY2020. We are particularly pleased the bill includes a reasonable pay raise for feds in 2020. As I’ve repeatedly stated, Congress and the administration must compensate federal employees fairly, show our country they are valued, and ensure our agencies receive the funds they need to execute their critical missions. The 3.1 percent pay raise included in H.R. 3351 demonstrates a well-deserved commitment to the federal workforce.
  
  
  “We also support the language in H.R. 3351 to prevent the proposed merger of OPM with GSA. While some components of the proposal have merit toward making government function more effectively and efficiently, FMA’s concern with removing OPM’s status as an independent establishment outweigh the potential benefits. We are steadfastly opposed to politicizing human resources functions within the federal government. Despite recent threats of furloughs and reductions of force at OPM if Congress does not approve the merger, the proposal received vast criticism and skepticism from both sides of the aisle. FMA appreciates the House vote to block funds from being used to implement the proposed merger.   
  
  
  “As the the Senate continues to work on funding bills for FY2020, we urge them to follow the lead of the House to maintain the pay raise for 2020, and uphold OPM’s status as an independent establishment.”
  
  

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