Senate parliamentarian Decisions on Reconciliation Bill

The Federal News Network article by Drew Friedman titled: GOP civil service overhaul effort violates reconciliation rules should be read by all Federal Employees. The Senate parliamentarian rejected a GOP attempt to make new federal employees opt to become at-will or face a 10% addition to their FERS contribution rate. A proposal to charge federal unions for any hours or resources spent on “official time,” as well as a proposal to charge federal employees a $350 fee to file an appeal with the Merit Systems Protection Board, have both been struck down by the Senate parliamentarian.

The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association’s Staff Vice President of Policy and Programs, John Hatton stated – “But I think we still need to pay attention to provisions in the actual bill language. It’s most likely that these provisions are out and that they stay out. But it’s possible that something else replaces them, and that’s still a concern that we’ll be looking out for.”

The Government Executive article by Erich Wagner titled: Most fed-targeting provisions in Senate reconciliation bill don’t pass Byrd muster is another should read by all Federal Employees.