Federal Managers Association
Press Release
- FMA HEARTENED THAT HOUSE PASSES SENATE VERSION OF FY18 BUDGET - October 26, 2017
- Many challenges remain front and centerAlexandria, VA – On Thursday, October 26, 2017, the House of Representatives passed the Senate version of the fiscal year 2018 budget resolution by a vote of 216-212. This version does not include provisions that were included in an earlier House-passed version, which instructed the Oversight and Government Reform Committee to find $32 billion in cuts over ten years. To achieve those cuts, the previous version called for significant increases to pension contributions, the elimination of the Federal Employees Retirement System annuity supplement, and reductions to the Thrift Savings Plan G Fund’s rate of return. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Renee Johnson made the following comments:“While we know federal employee benefits are still very much in the crosshairs of many decision makers, we acknowledge and are grateful this budget does not include the mandated cuts the House included earlier this month. Congress has frequently pursued enormous changes to federal employees’ benefits, and the administration put its cards on the table with a raft of cuts to feds earned benefits, as well. FMA will continue to oppose these drastic cuts as Congress finalizes Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations. We are also aware of proposals for a pay freeze in 2019 and plans to eliminate the FERS defined benefit program for all new hires going forward. Be assured FMA will do all it can to stop measures such as these from being implemented. The challenges remain, but we are momentarily relieved that mandatory cuts are not part of this budget, as related to tax reform.”