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NARFE Issues Statement on Changing Status of Civil Servants With Policy Responsibilities

Alexandria, Va. – In response to the October 21 signing of the Executive Order on Creating Schedule F in the Excepted Service, NARFE National President Ken Thomas issued the following statement:

“The new ‘Schedule F’ federal employee category created through Executive Order threatens the centuries-long integrity of nonpartisan professionals by forming a broad exception to the competitive civil service. The new exception demolishes the rule that civil servants are hired and fired based on merit, not political affiliation, a tradition that has served our country well since the late 1800s. A competitive civil service provides continuity through changing administrations and ensures public servants’ primary allegiance is to the Constitution and laws of the United States rather than the individual temporarily holding the office of President. It ensures civil servants are hired based on their competence for the job, not their political connections. It protects them from being removed for choosing adherence to the Constitution, laws and professional standards over politically motivated actions favoring cronies. In so doing, a competitive civil service protects the honor of the federal government to work on behalf of the American people.

“I find myself asking, what problem does this Executive Order seek to solve, particularly in the middle of a presidential election? In one fell swoop, this order renders political fodder of senior career experts who, thanks to their training, experience and judgment have risen to the top of their professions and whose work benefits all Americans. We must maintain that insulated cadre of impartial civil servants. To do so otherwise threatens to form a massive black hole in the center of the competitive civil service system, swallowing it up entirely, to the detriment of government of, by and for the people.

“I ask those supporting this change if they’d feel the same way when a different administration enters the White House.”

As the only organization solely dedicated to the general welfare of all federal workers and retirees, NARFE delivers valuable guidance, timely resources and powerful advocacy. For nearly a century, NARFE has been a trusted source of knowledge for the federal community, Capitol Hill, the executive branch and the media.

CONTACT:
Jenn Rafael
NARFE Director of Communications and Marketing
jrafael@narfe.org
(571) 483-1270