Debt Ceiling Fight Exposes Devastating Policies

Federal employees may have more at stake in the outcome of the debt ceiling crisis than just about anyone else.  

The government may not make payroll if it’s in default, for starters. And Republicans say they will not vote to avoid a catastrophic default without slashing future agency budgets. 

Now is the time to make your voice heard that this is unacceptable. 

Click HERE to access the NTEU ACTION CENTER to tell your members of Congress to stand up for federal employees by raising the debt ceiling and allow the government to pay its bills without massive cuts to agency funding and staffing. 

The clock is ticking, as the Treasury Department has warned the government could start running out of cash on June 1.  

But let’s be clear how we got to this point. Raising the debt ceiling is about making sure the country honors its debts and covers the bills incurred in previous years. It keeps the credit rating intact. It stabilizes the global economy. It reassures investors, retirees, workers and everyone else that the United States is functioning as intended.  And it has been done many times over the years with the support of both Republicans and Democrats. 

Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress, rather than debate next year’s agency funding levels one by one through the normal appropriations process, have decided to hold the entire economy hostage in order to slash and burn most agency budgets. This high-stakes showdown, in fact, highlights the hardline stance of House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and his caucus. This was made clear with passage last month of legislation that requires devastating budget cuts in exchange for a short-term increase to the debt ceiling.

The cuts would force agencies to make difficult choices regarding staffing and operations, worsening existing staffing shortages leading to a smaller, overworked workforce and disrupting critical services on which Americans rely. Furloughs, pay freezes and benefit cuts – all part of the Republican playbook when it comes to federal employees -- wouldn’t be far behind. Republicans are playing games with the American economy, the reputation and credibility of the American federal government, and the lives of millions of Americans including federal employees and your families.

The message to these politicians is simple: do what has been done repeatedly throughout recent history no matter which political party was in charge, raise the debt ceiling without forcing extreme budget cuts and harming federal employees.

What NTEU is Reading 

Some of the recent news coverage on the debt ceiling: 

What is the debt ceiling, and what happens if the U.S. hits it? 

Fed Pay and Benefits Could be Hit Hard by Debt Ceiling Wheeling and Dealing 

GOP attack on IRS funding runs counter to deficit reduction effort  

Potential Debt Ceiling Deal Would Barely Change Federal Spending Path  

Debt ceiling talks teeter on the brink, as lawmakers leave town for weekend without a deal  

7 doomsday scenarios if the U.S. crashes through the debt ceiling 

If the U.S. defaults, will it miss Medicare payments? What about Social Security? See what’s at risk. 

The People Behind the Federal Spending Cut Dilemmas