Shortsighted to cut federal workforce

As a federal employee, I am writing to ask that everybody oppose S. 1476, the “Federal Workforce Reduction and Reform Act of 2011.” The bill, introduced by Republican Sens. Orrin Hatch of Utah and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, requires the administration to reduce the federal workforce by 15 percent or “roughly 300,000 employees” over the next 10 years. It also calls for a three-year extension of the current pay freeze on federal employees and stipulates that no agency may pay any bonus or cash award during that period. This includes bonuses for relocation, retention and performance.

Once again, federal employees are proposed to be tapped as the answer to resolving the country’s deficit problems. Federal employees did not create the nation’s deficit. I am asking you to recognize the significant impact federal employees make on the daily lives of Americans. We protect the country’s borders, review Social Security claims and keep the food supply safe and the environment clean, among many other responsibilities.

Please also oppose the incorporation of these and similar proposals that call for freezing federal pay, reducing levels of agency funding, or reducing the federal workforce into legislation implementing the debt ceiling agreement. Our country needs federal employees to continue to do their jobs and serve the public.

Proposals like the Federal Workforce Reduction and Reform Act of 2011 diminish the needed role of our federal government in delivering services to the American people and will result in the loss of thousands of talented public servants just when we need them most.

Joseph M. Jason

Buffalo Grove