WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5) and the Washington Metro Area Congressional Delegation sent a letter to President Barack Obama, House Speaker John Boehner, and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi calling on them to consider the substantial contributions federal employees have already made toward deficit reduction as they continue negotiations to address the fiscal cliff.  

U.S. Representatives James P. Moran (D-VA), Frank R. Wolf (D-VA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Robert J. Wittman (R-VA), John P. Sarbanes (D-MD), and Donna F. Edwards (D-MD) also
signed the letter.

“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,” stated members of the Delegation.  “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.”

The text of the delegation’s letter of support is as follows:

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,

Steny H. Hoyer

Member of Congress

James P. Moran

Member of Congress

Frank R. Wolf

Member of Congress

Chris Van Hollen

Member of Congress

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Member of Congress

Gerald E. Connolly

Member of Congress

Robert J. Wittman

Member of Congress

John P. Sarbanes

Member of Congress

Donna F. Edwards

Member of Congress

Cc:      The Honorable John A. Boehner
           The Honorable Nancy Pelosi