Letter to White House, House Leaders: Federal Employees Paid Their Share

Federal employees already contributed $103 billion to deficit reduction

Washington, DC – Congressman Jim Moran, Northern Virginia Democrat, and members of the Washington Metropolitan delegation sent a letter to President Barack Obama and House Leaders highlighting the $103 billion already contributed by federal workers towards debt reduction. The letter comes as Congress and the White House work toward a solution to avoid sequestration cuts mandated to go into effect on January 2, 2013.

Joining Rep. Moran on the letter were Representatives Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Frank R. Wolf (R-VA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Gerald E. Connolly(D-VA), Robert J. Wittman (R-VA), Donna F. Edwards (D-MD), John P. Sarbanes (D-MD), and Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC). The purpose of the letter was to stress the sacrifices federal employees have already made to debt reduction, as negotiations over a larger deficit deal continue.

Excerpts from the letter include:

“We respectfully request that you carefully consider the implications that any proposed agreement would have on these Americans so that it reflects the substantial budget savings that the Federal workforce has contributed thus far.”

“Since the beginning of 2011,…budget savings derived from reduced compensation and benefits for the federal workforce has totaled at least $103 billion (or more than $50,000 per employee), as measured over the ten year budget window.

“Our dedicated civil servants understand the principle of shared sacrifice and justifiably expect others will actually share in it.”

Full text of the letter (Same text to Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi):

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

As you continue further negotiations to avoid the “fiscal cliff”, those of us who represent our Nation’s dedicated civil service – from the Federal and postal employees we represent in the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area, to the vast majority of Federal employees who live and serve in communities outside of Washington, D.C. – respectfully remind you of the substantial sacrifice made by these patriotic, middle class Americans over the past two years. 

Since the beginning of 2011, through various legislative and administration actions, the budget savings derived from reduced compensation and benefits for the federal workforce has totaled at least $103 billion (or more than $50,000 per employee), as measured over the ten year budget window. This figure includes:

2011 and 2012 pay freeze                                           $60 billion
2013 raise of 0.5% delayed to April                            $28 billion
2.3% increase in employees’ retirement
 contributions for those hired after 2012
 (Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation
 Act (P.L.112-96)                                                         $15 billion

Total                                                                           $103 billion

Federal and postal employees and their families share our commitment to serving the American people in the most efficient, cost-effective manner, and, just like other taxpayers, they too are struggling during these tough times.  Many face an uncertain employment future under almost any deficit reduction scenario. And to date, no other group has been asked to financially contribute the way they have. Our dedicated civil servants understand the principle of shared sacrifice and justifiably expect others will actually share in it.

We respectfully request that you carefully consider the implications that any proposed agreement would have on these Americans so that it reflects the substantial budget savings that the Federal workforce has contributed thus far.
                                                                     
Sincerely,

                                                     
James P. Moran
Frank R. Wolf                   
Steny Hoyer
Chris Van Hollen
Gerald E. Connolly 
Eleanor Holmes Norton
Robert J. Wittman
Donna F. Edwards
John P. Sarbanes

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