NARFE to Congress: Don’t Play Games with America’s Security and the Federal Workforce
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | Contact: Jessica Klement |
| February 23, 2015 | 703-838-7760 |
| jklement@narfe.org |
Alexandria, VA – With the possible shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) looming, NARFE President Richard G. Thissen said Congress’ inaction on legislation to provide funding for DHS threatens the nation’s security and shows “disregard for and disrespect toward DHS employees.” Thousands of DHS employees would be furloughed and the remaining “essential” workforce forced to report for duty without pay and without knowing when the next paycheck is coming.
Thissen’s entire statement follows:
“Congress needs to stop playing political games with America’s security and the federal workforce.
“In a shutdown, most DHS employees would continue to serve their nation without pay to guard against terrorist threats and respond to natural disasters and other emergencies. But that should not give Congress the idea that it can abdicate its basic duty with impunity.
“Nearly 200,000 DHS employees will not get paid if Congress fails to fund the Department before Saturday. About 30,000 employees would be furloughed and overtime limited, causing delays and disruptions in the Department’s work, including the movement of passengers through airport security. State and local government policing and emergency response functions relying on DHS grants also would be impacted by the shutdown.
“Beyond the larger consequences for the nation as a whole, allowing a shutdown shows disregard for and disrespect toward DHS employees. It sends a message to these employees that Congress does not care if they work without pay – if they are unable to pay their mortgages and other bills on time. That is the wrong way to treat people, especially those who put their lives on the line to protect others.
“We’ve been here before. Less than a year and a half ago, America witnessed the effects of a government shutdown, with a price tag of $24 billion. This is no way to run our country.”
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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.
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