14 th NARFE Legislative Conference Legislative Update Jessica Klement Legislative Director
Agenda • 113 th Congress Recap • NARFE’s 114 th Congress Legislative Program • 114 th Congress FY16 Budget Process NARFE priorities • Protect America’s Heartbeat • NARFE in the News
113 th Congress (2013-2014) Recap • Dec. 2013 budget deal for FY14 and FY15 spared current feds and retirees • Prevented sequestration-related furloughs
113 th Congress (2013-2014) Recap • Chained CPI didn’t move forward First NARFE press conference huge success – 20 reporters – 7 articles – 40 shoeboxes of coupons – Interviews with NARFE members
113 th Congress (2013-2014) Recap More good news: • FEHBP self plus one option available in 2016 • Back pay provided to feds furloughed during the government shutdown • Phased retirement now available • Senate postal bill failed to advance • Extension of reemployed annuitants waiver passed • Written and oral testimony before Congress Federal retirees have not had to pay for deficit reduction
113 th Congress (2013-2014) Recap And the bad news… • 3-year federal employee pay freeze • Two increases in retirement contributions for new feds (hired in 2013 and 2014 and beyond) • Very small federal pay raise in 2014 and 2015
113 th Congress (2013-2014) Recap And the REALLY bad news… • 16-day government shutdown in October • 1-10 furlough days for 750,000 feds as a result of sequestration – Loss of $1 billion in take home pay
113 th Congress (2013-2014) Recap Contributions from the federal community to date. $120 Billion!
NARFE’s Legislative Program for the 114 th Congress (2015-2016) How does NARFE decide what to pursue in a new Congress? • NARFE members approved the 114 th Congress Legislative Program at the National Convention in August. • Several changes were proposed by the Legislative Committee and adopted • Guides the work we do
114 th Congress (2015-2016) Fiscal Environment on Capitol Hill • Budget fights began in February with release of President’s FY16 budget • House and Senate budgets expected any day • Reconciliation a strong possibility • 7 years of sequestration remaining • Budget fights loom for FY16 and beyond
FY16 Budget Process
FY16 Budget Process The Standard Process • President submits • House/Senate • Congress holds his Budget prepares hearings, meetings, Appropriations approves Budget Bills, Reconciliation Resolution by April 15 February 2 February - April May – June • House/Senate pass • New Fiscal Year • Final bills, differences Appropriations and are “reconciled” Reconciliation sent to President July - August October 1 September
FY16 Budget Process What to expect in the 114 th Congress: • Opportunity for Reconciliation • Reconciliation Provides an Opportunity to Message via Legislation • 2016 Presidential election politics already taking shape Political Environment a key driver of budget
FY16 Budget Process Reconciliation Key Players: House and Senate Budget Committees • House Chairman Tom Price, R-GA • House Ranking Member Chris Van Hollen, D-MD • Senate Chairman Michael Enzi, R-WY • Senate Ranking Member Bernie Sanders, I-VT House Oversight and Government Reform Committee • Chairman Jason Chaffetz, R-UT • Ranking Member Elijah Cummings, D-MD Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee • Chairman Ron Johnson, R-WI • Ranking Member Tom Carper, D-DE
FY16 Budget Process What does Reconciliation Mean for NARFE? • MANDATORY spending measures only – “Reform” Civil Service Retirement – RETIREE FEHBP Coverage and Premiums – Changes to Social Security, Medicare
114 th Congress (2015-2016) Congress will also look to offset sequestration Federal community has a target on its back • Increased retirement contributions for current feds • Chained CPI • Pay freezes or reduced pay raises • Elimination of FERS annuity supplement • High-3 to High-5 • Changing retirement multiplier • Changes to FEHBP • Arbitrary workforce reductions • Government efficiency as a smokescreen for cuts • Possible civil service reform
114 th Congress (2015-2016) NARFE’s Legislative Priorities • Fighting attacks to federal pay and benefits, including FEHBP • Crafting a USPS reform bill that provides actual reform • Preventing Chained CPI from becoming reality
114 th Congress (2015-2016) NARFE’s Legislative Priorities • Adequate 2016 federal employee pay raise • Paid parental leave for feds • Repeal of pension increases • Fighting arbitrary reductions in the federal workforce
Protect America’s Heartbeat WHAT is PAH? • An ongoing grassroots campaign designed to get NARFE members more engaged in legislation that affects them WHO? • You! WHY? • Because Congress can change your benefits AT ANY TIME WHERE? • In your home states and districts, at NARFE chapter meetings WHEN? • NOW!
Protect America’s Heartbeat www.narfe.org/heartbeat • Updated Toolkits Available! • 7 Individual Toolkits • Easier to find information and print only what you need.
Protect America’s Heartbeat • Constantly rethinking how NARFE carries out grassroots activities based on individual factors: – Specific MOCs, chapter abilities, upcoming votes, etc... • Including legislative information at chapter meetings, federation events and in newsletters • Taking steps towards a larger, functioning grassroots program within NARFE • Building personal relationships with your members of Congress is key! • You are in a unique position to share your experiences as a federal worker • All politics is local. Drive it home!
NARFE in the News 699 total press clips (2013 & 2014) including 512 articles in top tier national media 177 letters to the editor
NARFE in the News
QUESTIONS???
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