Federal Managers Association

Press Release

• FMA DISAPPOINTED WITH HOUSE FY18 BUDGET RESOLUTION - July 20, 2017

• Alexandria, VA – The House Budget Committee approved its fiscal year 2018 (FY18) budget resolution by a vote of 22-14 on Wednesday, July 19. The proposal includes more than $32 billion in cuts to federal employees’ retirement benefits, following the blueprint of President Trump’s budget request, and eliminates the FERS annuity supplement. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Renee Johnson made the following comments on the House Budget Resolution.

  "The cuts to federal employee retirements contained in this budget resolution, as passed by the House Budget Committee, were not suprprising, but are disappointing and discouraging. The call for an increase to employee contributions is similar to the President’s request and amounts to a broken promise and tax increase on public servants. 

  "Federal managers and the federal workforce protect our nation's borders, care for our veterans, ensure the safety of our food, provide tax returns and social security checks, and keep our nation’s military equipped. The government must not balance the budget on the backs of federal employees. FMA vigorously opposes the call for these taxpaying Americans to contribute more towards their retirement plans and cuts to cost of living adjustments for all feds and retirees. If the changes to retirement calculations take effect, I fear we would see the oft-discussed retirement tsunami that would result in congressionally-mandated missions being unmet and services unprovided.  

  "The federal government should strive to be a model employer. The American public deserves a federal workforce that receives the resources it needs to provide the services our citizens count on. Many members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, have voiced resounding concerns with further cuts to federal employee retirement programs. FMA urges members of Congress to work together to develop a spending plan that allows for a sustainable federal workforce."  

  
  

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