FMA National President Craig Carter walked the halls of Congress during the week of September 29 to advocate for policies and legislation to benefit managers across the federal workforce. While discussions necessarily addressed the looming and eventual lapse in funding at the beginning of Fiscal Year 2026, and the need for agencies to get the resources they need, additional topics included efforts to advance the Federal Retirement Fairness Act (H.R. 1522), the Protect America’s Workforce Act (H.R. 2550), the Equal COLA Act, and more.

Carter met with Congressman James Walkinshaw (D-VA), recently elected in Virginia’s 11^th congressional district to fill the seat of Rep. Gerry Connolly who passed away in May 2025. Among his first acts in Congress, Walkinshaw assumed lead sponsorship of several bills Connolly had introduced earlier in the 119^th Congress, including the FAIR Act, the Equal COLA Act, and the Saving the Civil Service Act. Later that evening Carter met with Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), discussing many issues related to the treatment of feds during a shutdown, prospects for the FY26 National Defense Authorization Act, and much more. During his visit, Carter also met with staff from the Office of Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Rep. Emily Randall (D-WA), Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY).