Capitol Hill Preview: Busy Fall Ahead for Federal Employee Issues

Congress returns next week from its August recess with a full slate of legislation, including passing funding to keep the government operational before the Sept. 30 end of the current fiscal year.
The House has passed 10 of the 12 appropriations bills for 2021, and the Senate has considered none. Congress is expected to pass a short-term continuing resolution to ensure government operations continue until at least after the November election.

So far, Congress has been silent on a federal employee pay raise, effectively deferring to the president’s proposal for a 1 percent increase. In February, the president issued a budget request recommending a 1 percent across-the-board raise for civilian federal employees, with no locality pay adjustments. At that time, the administration also issued an alternative pay plan, which usually happens on Aug. 31. NTEU will continue to fight for a fair 2021 pay raise for federal employees.

Also on the table is another coronavirus relief package with pro-federal employee provisions that NTEU strongly supports. They include providing hazard pay for public-facing employees, ensuring maximum telework throughout the pandemic and eliminating out-of-pocket expenses for coronavirus treatment under FEHBP. NTEU is urging Congress to allow federal employees to carry over unused annual leave.

We will continue to keep you updated on these important legislative issues.