This report provides an update on issues affecting federal managers. As always, I encourage you to visit www.fedmanagers.org on a regular basis for more information on these and other matters.

Also, be sure to look for the FMA Grassroots Update, where we offer links to action letters and FMA-PAC matters we do not address in the Washington Report. The grassroots newsletter is sent exclusively to non-governmental email addresses to avoid any Hatch Act violations. If you are not receiving it, contact the national office to provide your non-governmental email address.

Please feel free to provide feedback any time by emailing Greg Stanford at gstanford@fedmanagers.org or by calling the National Office at (703) 683-8700. Thank you for your membership in FMA. It’s an honor to represent your interests before Congress and the administration.

At the 84th Annual National Convention, FMA National President Craig Carter was re-elected to the association’s top position, and Region 1 Director Chris Lombardi was elevated to National Secretary.

With more than thirty-two years of service with the Department of the Navy, Craig Carter brings with him a wealth of experience as both a supervisor and employee. Craig has held many leadership positions within the Association at the chapter, regional, and national levels prior to his re-election as National President.

At Chapter 3, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), Portsmouth, Virginia, he has served as a Code Representative, Chapter Treasurer, and Chapter President. He served regionally as Region 2 Treasurer. At the national level, Craig served as National Membership Coordinator and National Vice President prior to his election as National President. He was sworn in to another two-year term.

FMA held its 84th Annual National Convention in Alexandria, Virginia, March 28-30, 2022. It was the first time since 2019 FMA members were able to gather together in-person for training, updates on legislative outreach, networking, awards, and conducting elections and other association business.

The event kicked off with an address from Office of Personnel Management Director Kiran Ahuja. She provided insights into the President’s Management Agenda and the priorities of the Administration regarding federal managers and the federal workforce writ large. Members had an opportunity to ask Director Ahuja questions directly following her remarks.

Members received training in multiple sessions, including Finding and Improving the Right Skills for Your People, by Steve Dobberowsky of the Training Officers Consortium, Maximizing Accountability in Performance, by Barbara H. Haga of Federal HR Services, Inc., and an informative session on simplifying and maximizing retirement benefits from Johnny Gottstein of FMA corporate sponsor GPIS.

Recognized by his peers, Mr. Gryga provides exceptional leadership at the U.S. Social Security Administration’s Chicago Regional Office.

Alexandria, VA – The Federal Managers Association (FMA) is proud to announce Mr. Ron Gryga as the winner of FMA's Manager of the Year award. He is a member of FMA Chapter 275, Hearings & Appeals Managers Association (Social Security Administration), Illinois, and serves as FMA National Vice President.

The Federal Managers Association strives to promote excellence in public service and is proud to name Ron Gryga of FMA Chapter 275, Hearings & Appeals Managers Association (Social Security Administration), Illinois, as FMA’s Manager of the Year. He exemplifies the Association’s mission at his agency, in his community, and as a leader within FMA.

The House Oversight and Reform Committee advanced two FMA-endorsed bills on Wednesday, April 6, clearing them for consideration by the full House of Representatives. The committee passed both the Chance to Compete Act (H.R. 6967), a bipartisan hiring reform bill, and the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act (H.R. 7376).

H.R. 6967 would codify provisions successfully demonstrated in pilot programs geared at making the hiring process faster and more effective. It brings subject matter experts into the process earlier and allows agencies to share certifications. The bill is similar to bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate (S. 3423), which has advanced out of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. H.R. 6967 was passed unanimously.

The House Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing on Thursday, March 31, 2022, “Follow the Money: Tackling Improper Payments.” The purpose of the hearing was “to examine the recent growth in agency improper payments and identify ways the federal government can tackle fraud, waste, and abuse in government programs without putting undue burden on the individuals and small businesses who rely on them.”

The committee stated improper payments, which include “any payment made by the government in the incorrect amount or to the wrong person,” have increased in recent years, reaching $281 billion in Fiscal Year 2021. These improper payments are described as signs of fraud, waste, and abuse, as well as underpayments made to Medicaid and Medicare recipients and overpayments made to government contractors.

President Biden announced his budget request for Fiscal Year 2023 on March 28. He is calling for a 4.6 percent pay raise for the federal workforce in 2023. Federal Managers Association National President Craig Carter made the following comments on the announcement:

"FMA welcomes President Biden’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2023, on the heels of Congress and the Administration finalizing FY22 appropriations. We are hopeful the FY23 process will not drag out in a similar fashion, and we urge Congress to work to provide agencies with budget certainty and the resources they need on time for FY23.

“We note the 4.6 percent pay raise proposed for the federal workforce in 2023 would be the largest increase in 20 years, and we support the traditional pay parity for feds with the uniformed military. Earlier this year, FMA endorsed the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act (H.R. 6398 / S. 3518), which would provide for a 4.1 percent pay raise in 2023 and a 1 percent boost to locality pay. We support both proposals, but will continue to advocate for the FAIR Act as a reasonable boost for both the federal workforce and the military.

The Biden Administration unveiled the latest updates to the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) on Thursday, April 7, 2022. You can view its updated goals at Performance.gov.

The PMA is the Administration’s roadmap for delivering results for all Americans. The vision outlines the following core set of values: Equity, Dignity, Accountability, and Results. The PMA includes three primary priorities: (1) Strengthening and Empowering the Federal Workforce; (2) Delivering Excellent, Equitable, and Secure Federal Services and Customer Experience; and, (3) Managing the Business of Government.

On April 6, 2022, President Biden signed the $107 billion Postal Service Reform Act (H.R. 3076) into law. This followed the bipartisan votes of 79-19 in the Senate and 342-92 in the House earlier this year. This bill is intended to address long-term financial challenges for the USPS, including repealing a mandate that required the USPS to pre-fund retirement for all employees, and is expected to save the USPS nearly $50 billion over the next decade. This much-needed reform was a key step in addressing structural issues created by the 2006 Postal Accountability and Enhancement Act.

The Congressional Budget Office estimates this postal reform bill would reduce FEHB premiums for federal employees and annuitants, including savings for the government’s share of contributions for non-postal annuitants and $827 million for federal employees. Further, analysis from the Office of Personnel Management shows an expected 1 percent decrease in FEHB premiums, once H.R. 3076’s reforms take effect (in Fiscal Year 2025).

On April 6, the Senate voted by unanimous consent to confirm Krista Anne Boyd as Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). The agency has not had a permanent IG for six years.

President Biden nominated her to the position in September 2021.

“It’s really important that the OIG stay on top of OPM efforts to protect its information. There are a number of outstanding open recommendations from the OIG now that have been uncovered during FISMA audits. And it’s really important for OPM to address those open recommendations,” Boyd said during her nomination hearing in March.

On Thursday, March 31, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the Chief Human Capital Officers Council 2021 Report to Congress.

Upon release, OPM Director and CHCO Council Chair Kiran Ahuja said, “This is a unique moment in our history. At a time of rapid change, we have an opportunity to strengthen and prepare the Federal workforce to meet America’s needs for decades to come. The Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council is an invaluable collaborative resource for the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Federal Government as we work to rebuild, reinforce, and support a two-million-person civilian workforce.”