1. United States
2. N.C.
3. Letter

The budget resolution passed by the House targets critical federal retirement and health benefits earned through years of dedicated service by civil servants. Cutting $50 billion from these programs would break the government's promise to federal employees and retirees in exchange for their careers serving the public. This would undermine the government's ability to recruit and retain a talented civil service workforce. At a time when the administration is attempting to dismantle the merit-based civil service system through political attacks and workforce reductions, piling on by slashing promised compensation would only exacerbate this assault on an effective, nonpartisan workforce. Proposals like shifting more healthcare costs onto enrollees, requiring increased retirement contributions for no additional benefit, eliminating annuity supplements, and reducing pension calculations are unacceptable penalties on middle-class public servants. Federal employees have upheld their end of the bargain through faithful careers in public service roles. The federal government must uphold its commitments as well by preserving the earned retirement and healthcare benefits that civil servants rely upon. These draconian cuts would break trust with a workforce dedicated to serving the national interest. I urge you to reject policies that punish federal workers and retirees who have devoted their careers to this country.