WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) joined Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Representatives James Walkinshaw (D-VA), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and 21 colleagues in launching the Federal Workforce Caucus. The members are launching this caucus to bolster efforts to protect federal workers and strengthen merit-based federal civil service so these dedicated public servants can continue to deliver for the American people without political interference.
“The federal workforce is integral to our country and our communities, helping American families and businesses thrive. As this regime attacks federal workers and the critical work they do, I am proud to join this caucus, which will advance policies that support federal workers and the communities they serve,” said Senator Hirono. “As part of this caucus, I reaffirm my commitment to ensuring federal workers are recognized, protected, and receive the support they need to confront challenges and provide for the public.”
The Federal Workforce Caucus will serve as a forum for Members to:
“Over the past year, people and communities have protested, lawyers have sued, and courts have issued orders to protect our civil servants,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “It is an honor today to mark the establishment of a bipartisan, bicameral congressional caucus to support the people who work for all us – our nonpartisan, merit-based civil service. The Congressional Federal Workforce Caucus could not come at a more pivotal time. As the Trump-Vance administration and its allies escalate threats to our nation’s elections, our nation’s communities, and our nation’s civil servants, it is time to use all tools our democracy provides to push back and move forward. We are grateful to these lawmakers for taking an important step to protect and strengthen the civil service not just for today, but for the ability to build the people-centered government we all will need in the future.”
“After a traumatic year for the civil service, including a 43-day government shutdown and unprecedented mass firings, this Caucus is very timely,” said Eric Bunn, Sr., National Secretary-Treasurer at the American Federal of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (AFGE). “Your members’ expertise and commitment will amplify the voice of the federal civilian workforce when it matters most. AFGE stands ready to support and work with the Caucus. Our country depends on it.”
"The federal workforce has endured unimaginable harm, with over 300,000 employees separated, agencies wiped out and previously nonpartisan institutions politicized. Congress must stand for federal workers, and I believe the Federal Workforce Caucus will provide the venue to press for oversight and serve as a gathering place for all members who have constituents who rely on well-functioning government services,” said Max Stier, President and CEO of Partnership for Public Service.
The federal workforce is essential to a legitimate democratic republic, yet our civil service is increasingly under attack – politically, structurally, and rhetorically,” said National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) National President Randy Erwin. “These attacks weaken public accountability, lawful administration, and the quality of services Americans rely on every single day. The Federal Workforce Caucus will ensure the civil service is protected and strengthened, and critical services are delivered to the public while maintaining a skilled, apolitical workforce. Thank you to the co-chairs of the Caucus – Senator Van Hollen, and Representatives Walkinshaw and Hoyer – for your continued support of federal employees.”
“The federal public service workers who help keep our communities running deserve dignity, respect, and the security of knowing they’ll be paid on time,” said Lee Saunders, President of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. "Unfortunately, anti-worker politicians continue to exploit them to push their extreme agenda. In the last year, federal workers have been fired arbitrarily, stripped of their collective bargaining rights, and furloughed without pay during the shutdown. I applaud the members of the Federal Workforce Caucus for their focus on restoring dignity and respect to these dedicated public servants. It also highlights why we need solutions like Sen. Van Hollen and Rep. Walkinshaw's True Shutdown Fairness Act, which will ensure federal workers don't miss a paycheck or get fired during a shutdown. On behalf of the AFSCME members and the hardworking federal public service workers we represent, we thank the Federal Workforce Caucus for having our backs."
"IFPTE welcomes the launch of the Federal Workforce Caucus. Over the past year, our members who work for the federal government have witnessed unprecedented political interference, mass firings without cause, and unlawful efforts to deny federal workers their union rights and defund federal agency missions,” said Matthew Biggs, President of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE). “Our democracy depends on a professional, nonpartisan federal civil service that serves the American public with accountability and integrity. We urgently call on Members of Congress in both chambers and both sides of the aisle to join the Caucus and work to uphold and protect merit system principles, due process protections, and a civil service that ensures that science and innovation, public health, safety, economic security, our national defense, and public services are delivered fairly, effectively, and effectively.”
“NTEU applauds Senator Van Hollen and Representatives Hoyer and Walkinshaw for launching the Federal Workforce Caucus to highlight the work and challenges facing federal workers across the country,” said Doreen Greenwald, National President of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). “Given the deluge of attacks employees have faced over the past year, from mass firings and illegal attempts to eliminate their union rights to threats against their pay and benefits, we appreciate the dedicated effort that this caucus will make to strengthen the nonpartisan civil service and ensure that federal employees are treated with dignity and respect so they can continue to provide the critical services the American people rely on.”
In addition to Senators Hirono and Van Hollen, other members of the caucus from the Senate include Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Mark Warner (D-VA). In addition to Representatives Walkinshaw and Steyer, other members of the caucus from the House include Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Glenn Ivey (D-MD), Mike Lawler (R-NY), April McClain Delaney (D-MD), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), and Eugene Vindman (D-VA).
###