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FMA Washington Report: February 8, 2021
A Bevy of Federal Workforce Bills Introduced Early in 117th Congress
The 117th Congress was sworn in on January 3, 2021. Legislators have introduced several FMA-supported bills that would benefit federal managers in the first month of this session of Congress. Among them are:

The Social Security Fairness Act (H.R. 82) – Introduced by Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL), this bill would fully repeal the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). This is a long-standing FMA issue brief.

The Equal COLA Act (H.R. 304) – Introduced by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), the Equal COLA Act would guarantee federal retirees in the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS) receive the same cost of living adjustment (COLA) as feds in the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). H.R. 304 ties both retirement system COLA increases to the CPI-W. This is another FMA issue brief.

The First Responder Fair RETIRE Act – Introduced in the Senate by Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) and in the House by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), this bill protects 6(c) employees in the federal workforce, allowing federal workers to remain in their original retirement program if they are transferred to another position due to an on-the-job injury. It also entitles them to a refund on their accelerated retirement contributions if they leave federal service before they are eligible for an annuity. FMA also endorsed similar legislation in the 116th Congress.

Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act – Introduced by House Oversight and Reform Committee Chair Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), this bill expands on the paid parental leave given to feds in the FY 2020 National Defense Authorization Act by providing federal employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave not only for parenting, but also for personal illness, illness of a family member, or in circumstances related to a military deployment of a family member. 

Preventing a Patronage System Act – Introduced by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), this bill would prevent any position in the federal competitive service from being reclassified outside of merit system principles without the express consent of Congress. 

FMA will work to help pass these and any other bills that promote and support federal managers in the 117th Congress.

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