On October 26, FMA joined eighteen fellow organizations from the Federal-Postal Coalition on a letter opposing the creation of another fiscal commission to address the federal deficit. The letter was sent to all Members of Congress.

“The fiscal commission would consist of 16 members, including 12 members of Congress and four “outside experts” who could by majority vote furnish Congress with a privileged set of recommendations for reducing spending as well as Social Security and Medicare,” the letter read. “Congress would be obliged, during the lame duck session in November 2024, to approve or disapprove the recommendations with minimal discussion and without amendment.”

The letter spelled out the coalition’s argument against a commission: “The proposed commission could effectively bypass the role of a democratically elected Congress in formulating and debating legislation and tax policy. The judgment of 12 handpicked members and four unelected outsiders would essentially supersede the role of 523 other Members of Congress. The commission should not be enacted.”

However, it appears likely a fiscal commission will indeed be created. We will keep you apprised of further developments. “Congress should budget according to our nation’s needs. That includes keeping Medicare and Social Security adequately funded, as the bedrock of middle-class health, security, and dignity in old age or disability. Congress must keep federal salaries, which already lag the private sector by an average of 24 percent, as competitive as possible to ensure a capable and qualified civil service,” the letter continued.

To read the full letter, click here.