Government affairs

Legislative Updates

Republican Study Committee releases their own FY19 budget

The Republican Study Committee (RSC), a 150+ member caucus of conservative representatives, released a blueprint for the fiscal year (FY) 2019 budget today, which seeks to slash federal spending by $12 trillion over the next decade.

The proposal, called “A Framework for Unified Conservatism” (viewable here), would unsurprisingly slash mandatory and domestic spending programs, but also boost defense spending at the same time. RSC members call for a radical transformation of the civil service and a removal of worker protections, starting by forcing all federal employees to become at-will, but it does not stop there.

Among many other provisions in the budget proposal, members also call for:

  • Ending the use of official time for federal union officials
  • Capping federal hiring to one employee in for every three who leave
  • Ending across-the-board federal raises
  • Ending automatic raises for federal employees
  • Increasing FERS contributions
  • Eliminating COLAs for FERS employees
  • Reducing COLAs for CSRS employees
  • Replacing the CSRS and FERS average pay period from high-three to high-five
  • Eliminating FERS annuity supplements
  • Reducing the TSP’s G Fund interest rate
  • Increasing FEHBP premiums for workers

The suggestions made in this framework are not new and exist in a number of already submitted bills, failed amendments, and notably in the White House’s FY19 Budget proposal. It is important for letter carriers to recognize however, that these incredibly harmful ideas are backed by at least one-third of the House of Representatives. Similar language can be inserted into any bill at any bill, which makes it all the more important that Congress is filled with lawmakers who are supportive of the letter carriers, USPS, and the federal workforce.

While such proposals are rarely adopted, members often consider such language when drafting language for any piece of legislation, including must-pass bills. NALC encourages letter carriers to reach out to their members and ask them to reject these hurtful cuts.

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