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NARFE-Supported Legislation Would Place Federal Employees on Par with Military Personnel Serving in Combat Zones

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Contact: Jessica Klement
June 12, 2014 703-838-7760
  jklement@narfe.org

Alexandria, VA – The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) is pleased to support legislation introduced by Rep. Rob Wittman, R-VA, to provide tax parity to federal employees serving in combat zones. Wittman was joined by original cosponsors Reps. Frank R. Wolf, R-VA, and Gerry E. Connolly, D-VA.

The Combat Zone Tax Parity Act, H.R. 4621, would extend the tax credit available to military personnel who serve in combat zones to the civilian federal employees working alongside them. Currently, only members of the military qualify for federal income tax exemptions on their base pay as a result of serving in combat zones.

“Many of our dedicated civil servants answer a ‘call to duty’ that takes them away from their families and exposes them to imminent danger to life and limb,” said NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin. “They may not wear uniforms, but they often stand shoulder to shoulder amidst hostile fire with those who do,” Beaudoin said.

“Today, Congressmen Wittman, Wolf and Connolly have stepped up to recognize their service, not just with rhetoric, but with action. NARFE applauds and thanks them for their leadership in doing so.”

The legislation would compensate for the hardship federal employees and their families face from the separation and stress that accompany service in a combat zone. It also would provide a valuable incentive for civil servants to apply for overseas duty. U.S. missions require individuals with expertise often not found in the military to fill critical positions in such areas as transportation reconstruction projects and health care. Federal agencies often have difficulty staffing these posts. Providing an additional financial incentive to serve in combat zones should help alleviate that shortage.

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The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) one of America’s oldest and largest associations, was founded in 1921 with the mission of protecting the earned rights and benefits of America’s active and retired federal workers. The largest federal employee/retiree organization, NARFE represents the interests of nearly five million current and future federal annuitants, spouses and survivors.