Federal Managers Association
Press Release
- CONGRESS AVERTS A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN BY PASSING A SHORT TERM SPENDING PLAN - October 1, 2015
Alexandria, VA - On Wednesday, September 30, members of the House of Representatives and the Senate agreed on a short term spending plan that funds the federal government through December 11, 2015. By passing this continuing resolution (CR), Congress keeps funding levels stagnant, and allows federal departments and agencies to continue congressionally-mandated missions and goals. This spending plan also averts another federal government shutdown. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Patricia Niehaus released the following statement on the bill's passage in the House.
"When Congress was unable to develop a spending plan in 2013, the federal government was forced to shutdown for sixteen days. This delayed vital services and projects the American public depended on, and it cost the national economy $24 billion. While FMA is grateful this did not happen again yesterday, I urge our Congressional leaders to develop a sustainable spending plan that provides certainty for all Americans. It is imperative that Congress utilize the appropriations process that examines the funding needs of federal department and agencies. A sustainable federal government cannot exist on stopgap funding.
"I am further concerned about the impact these continuous threats of a shutdown have on the federal workforce. Even when a looming shutdown is averted at the last minute, there are untold costs and a waste of precious government resources in the planning and preparation in the build-up to a potential shutdown. Further, the recent results of the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey show that only 64 percent of the federal workforce feel engaged and are satisfied with their job. While this is up one percent from last year, it is evident that many federal workers are frustrated. A government shutdown would compound this problem. The CR only delayed the shutdown for two months. It is FMA's hope that our elected leaders will put aside partisan politics and develop funding levels that keep the federal government open for the American people."