This report provides an update on issues affecting federal managers. As always, I encourage you to visit www.fedmanagers.org on a regular basis for more information on these and other matters.

Also, be sure to look for the monthly FMA Grassroots Update where we offer links to action letters and FMA-PAC matters we do not address in the Washington Report. The grassroots newsletter is sent exclusively to non-governmental email addresses to avoid any Hatch Act violations. If you are not receiving it, contact the national office to provide your non-governmental email address.

Please feel free to provide feedback any time by emailing Greg Stanford at gstanford@fedmanagers.org, or by calling the National Office at (703) 683-8700. Thank you for your membership in FMA. It’s an honor to represent your interests before Congress and the administration.

With just 11 legislative days scheduled between now and the end of Fiscal Year 2025, a partial government shutdown or a continuing resolution appears likely. Some in Congress are already advocating for a full-year CR to fund Fiscal Year 2026, which begins on October 1, 2025, although House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) would prefer a CR that expires by Thanksgiving.

The government is currently running on a continuing resolution that expires on September 30.

The House Armed Services Committee (HASC) marked up its version of the bill on July 15, culminating with a strong bipartisan vote of 55-2 to advance the bill out of committee. This followed the Senate Armed Services Committee’s July 11 passage of its own version by a vote of 26-1. The bills are now cleared to be considered by the full House and Senate chambers, where they could be further amended.

“For the 65^th consecutive year, House Armed Services Committee Democrats and Republicans have worked across the aisle to craft a bipartisan defense bill,” said HASC Ranking Member Adam Smith (D-WA) in a statement. “The bill as passed out of committee ensures service members and their families remain among our core priorities. It also authorizes critically needed investment in America’s industrial base so we can get to capacity in terms of critical munitions and other critical technologies. I am proud to work with my colleague and friend, Chairman Mike Rogers, in passing this package out of committee in the spirit of bipartisan compromise and with a shared commitment to ensuring that we continue to provide for the common defense. I urge Speaker Johnson to take up this legislation in that same spirit of bipartisanship and work with both sides of the aisle to ensure that it remains focused on the core priorities and needs of our armed forces and national security to ensure bipartisan passage on the House floor later this year.”

Federal employees at the nation’s four public shipyards would be exempt from any hiring freeze or workforce reductions related to spending cuts, reprogramming of funds, or the probationary status of employees under new legislation introduced on August 1 by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH). The Protecting Public Naval Shipyards (PNSY) Act (S. 2648), cosponsored by Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Angus King (I-ME), would ensure that the maintenance and overhaul of America’s nuclear-powered submarine fleet continues uninterrupted. The bill, endorsed by FMA, was referred to the Senate Armed Services Committee.

The Protecting PNSY Act would require the Department of Defense to exempt positions at the four public shipyards – Portsmouth, Norfolk, Puget Sound, and Pearl Harbor – from workforce reductions that are critical to maintenance and that support the Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program (SIOP).

You can view the full bill text here.

On FMA’s August 24 Town Hall, several FMA members expressed concerns about having access to their personnel files and connecting with retirement HR officers. We understand and share your concerns. If you are having issues in this area, please notify me at gstanford@fedmanagers.org and we will help in any way possible.

Additionally, on July 16, Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) introduced the Protecting Federal Employee Rights to Personnel Files Act of 2025 (H.R. 4440) in the House of Representatives, a bill that would require agencies to provide a separated employee with a copy of their official personnel file, in electronic and physical form, no later than 7 days after their date of separation. This policy change would apply to any separation of employment, whether from retirement, termination, changing federal agencies, or otherwise.

On July 23, Representative Gil Cisneros (D-CA) sent letters to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and Social Security Administration (SSA) requesting they investigate concerns about reductions in force (RIFs) at the two agencies and the impact of services and casework processing. Cisneros was joined by 52 colleagues – all Democrats – on the letter to then-IRS Commissioner Billy Long. The letter to SSA Commissioner Frank Bisignano was signed by 58 total members.

“Congressional casework is essential to ensure our taxpayers get their refunds, our seniors get their checks, and our constituents get prompt and accurate responses from federal agencies,” Cisneros wrote in a press statement. “I am leading 50+ House Democrats in letters to the IRS and SSA to ensure our constituent casework isn’t affected by the reckless RIFs.”

Federal employees will see a 1 percent pay raise in 2026, assuming Congress endorses President Trump’s alternative pay plan. On Friday, August 29, President Trump sent an alternative pay plan to Congress, calling for a 1 percent raise for the federal workforce in 2026.

FMA National President Craig Carter said, “A one percent raise is better than nothing, and given the lack of discussion about pay all year we had been bracing for a pay freeze. Regrettably, a one percent pay raise is nowhere near the rising inflation levels. And it would ensure feds would fall even further behind their private sector counterparts when it comes to compensation, when feds already make almost 25 percent less.”

FMA strongly supports the 3.8 percent raise for the uniformed military, and argues federal employees deserve the traditional long-established pay parity with military service members.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has cancelled plans to pursue further Reductions in Force (RIFs), has rescinded previously approved deferred resignations, and is asking some terminated employees to return, in an effort to fill gaps in “mission-critical expertise.” The agency is seeking to rebuild parts of its workforce, plug staffing holes with rehiring, and reassignments. This is a major shift, as the IRS has been reduced by approximately 26,000 employees – or 25 percent of its staff – since January, and had previously planned to use RIFs to bring its workforce below 60,000 employees.

Acting IRS Human Capital Officer David Traynor and acting Deputy IRS Chief Human Capital Officer David Allen informed staff in an email, writing, “IRS has identified areas where staffing reductions created a potential gap in mission critical expertise. As a result, IRS will utilize all available tools – including details, reassignments, DRP/TDRP recissions, external hiring – to identify resources to fulfill the mission-critical skill sets.”

On August 8, IRS Commissioner Billy Long was removed from that post. He was confirmed on June 16, 2025, and his exit – less than two months in the role – makes him the shortest-tenured Senate-confirmed IRS Commissioner since the position was founded in 1862. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is the acting leader of the agency and is the seventh person to be in charge since January.

“It is an honor to serve my friend President Trump and I am excited to take on my new role as the ambassador to Iceland. I am thrilled to answer his call to service and deeply committed to advancing his bold agenda. Exciting times ahead!” Long wrote in a post on X.

The 2025 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) has been cancelled, despite a federal law mandating it. It had been postponed several times prior to the confirmation of its cancellation. The annual FEVS is a snapshot poll survey gauging employee engagement, morale, and more in the federal workforce.

“A transformed workforce requires a transformed Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey,” OPM Director Scott Kupor said. “We are revising FEVS to remove questions added by the Biden-Harris administration and to refocus on core administration priorities: to restore a high-performance, high-efficiency, and merit-based civil service. FEVS will be back next year, new and improved.”

The FMA Region 3 & 4 Conference is swiftly approaching in beautiful Shelton, Washington! The conference, titled “Managing Through the Chaos” will take place at the Shelton Yacht Club September 12-14.

All Federal Managers Association Regions 3 & 4 members are welcomed and encouraged to attend this spectacular event.

Click here to register or for more information!

The FMA Region 1 & 2 Conference will be held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, beginning on October 11, 2025. Mark your calendars now!

FMA Regions 1 & 2 members will get together to discuss the work of the region and the respective chapters within the regions. This will be a great chance to network and enjoy Philly!

Click here for the latest information!