Good Government

In this increasingly complex and fast-paced world, Americans depend on a first-rate civil service. That’s why making the federal government operate efficiently and effectively is a priority for Congressman Sarbanes. To this end, the Congressman is committed to putting policies in place that help our nation’s dedicated federal workers succeed.

• Telework: The Telework Enhancement Act of 2010 – authored by Congressman Sarbanes – is about good government. The law has already increased cost efficiencies by reducing the need for office space, improving the continuity of operations in the case of an emergency, and decreasing the environmental impact of commuters. Just as important, the law has improved the quality of life for thousands federal workers, enabling hard-working civil servants to have a better work-life balance and enhancing recruitment and retention efforts.

• Public Service Caucus: Congressman Sarbanes is privileged to serve as the co-chair of the bi-partisan Congressional Public Service Caucus – a Member organization committed to supporting our federal workforce and ensuring that government functions effectively and efficiently. This role has given the Congressman the opportunity to help shape initiatives improving pay, earned benefits, and other workplace rights for individuals who have dedicated their lives to the service of our government.  

• Promoting Fairness for Our Nation’s Federal Firefighters: The Federal Firefighter Flexibility and Fairness Act is bipartisan legislation to correct a longstanding disparity in the treatment of trade time between professional firefighters who are employed by States, counties, or municipalities and federal firefighters. Trade time enables firefighters to meet personal obligations such as attending a child's birthday or assisting a sick family member without exhausting their annual leave. Currently, federal firefighters are ineligible to participate in trade time. This legislation would amend federal employee labor law to fix this problem. Correcting this inequity will help federal agencies recruit and retain firefighters, while also ensuring our nation’s federal firefighters are afforded the same flexibility as their brothers and sisters in state, county and municipal fire departments.

• Defending Against Attacks on Our Federal Workforce: Congressman Sarbanes is a strong supporter of America’s federal workers and has routinely opposed politically-driven attacks on their pay and benefits. The Congressman recognizes that we will have to make difficult choices between competing budgetary priorities, but in making these choices, he believes that we must not to compromise those who have dedicated their careers to public service and that we strive to inspire the next generation of Americans to serve.