Rep. Gerry Connolly Consistently Supports Civilian Feds
Selecting a single champion for federal employees is no easy task, but Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) has continuously introduced, endorsed, and advanced legislation aimed at protecting and improving the civilian federal workforce. To best serve the American people, the IRS needs the resources, authorities, and policies that reflect that demands of a modern workforce and modern taxpayer needs. We are a long way from the ideal, but Rep. Connolly has taken instrumental steps to move in the right direction.
Rep. Connolly supports the civilian federal workforce in words and in deeds, in both small ways and large. He makes his staff available to federal employees struggling with benefits claims and is the only Representative to host an Open Season Workshop for the last 13 years to assist federal employees, retirees, service members, and veterans in navigating changes to the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plans. This year’s workshop will take place at the Fairfax County Government Center on November 20, 2021.
Not only has Rep. Connolly ensured federal employees can access their benefits, but he has also opposed efforts to reduce and dimmish their benefits. Rep. Connolly has consistently introduced legislation to protect federal pay and benefits. For example, in almost every Congress, he has introduced federal pay raise legislation. Most recently, he sponsored the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act to provide federal employees a guaranteed 2.2 percent pay raise and 1 percent increase in locality pay in FY 2022.
Rep. Connolly also understands the need for modernization and additional resources to improve government operations. These aims benefit both the taxpayer and agencies through improving working conditions to recruit and retain talent. Further, he has sought to expand telework flexibility so the government can attract a capable workforce.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Rep. Connolly fought to ensure agencies had safe and effective return to work plans through the Chai Suthammanont Remembrance Act of 2021 – which requires federal agencies to develop and disclose safety plans that contain certain information for on-site employees and contractors during the public health emergency
Rep. Connolly gives the Civil Service this support while also expecting more from us, which we respect. Improving government improves working conditions but also improves the experience of taxpayers, Rep. Connolly doesn't muddy the waters on the inextricable linkage between these two concepts. A well-equipped, modern IRS that can fulfill its mission to "provide America's taxpayers top quality service..." would sustain a dynamic, engaged, and proud workforce.
Professional Managers Association (PMA) is proud to partner with Rep. Connolly on many of these initiatives and considers him an essential champion for the federal workforce.
The column from PMA is part of the FEDforum, an initiative to unite voices across the federal community. The FEDforum is a space for federal employee groups to share their organizations’ initiatives and activities with the FEDmanager audience.
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