NTEU Supports Call for Government Reorganization Hearing in the House

Washington, D.C – The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) supports a call for a key House committee to conduct oversight hearings into the administration’s government reorganization plans.

A letter last week from 18 House Democrats urged the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to obtain copies of the administration’s proposals for downsizing government and initiate a public debate about them.

“Any proposal that affects federal employees and the agencies where they work should be discussed out in the open,” said NTEU National President Tony Reardon. “Federal employees are ready and willing to share their ideas on improving government operations and efficiency.”

Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.), the ranking member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, spearheaded the request, which was sent to Committee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) on Thursday.

“If Trump Administration officials truly believe their policies will make our nation safer, make our air and water cleaner, and make American families healthier, they should prove it in the full light of day,” the letter states.

The lawmakers also correctly note that these unapproved reorganization plans have already led to hiring freezes and buyouts, even though Congress has not approved agency spending levels for 2018.

All federal agencies submitted their reorganization proposals to the Office of Management and Budget on Sept. 30, which had also requested ideas for shrinking the federal workforce and contracting out government services to private companies.

“NTEU submitted dozens of smart proposals from frontline federal employees in 31 different agencies, and yet we have no idea if those have been heard or incorporated into these plans,” Reardon said. “We applaud those members of Congress who recognize that transparency is an essential ingredient in a democracy and we support their call for public hearings.”

NTEU represents 150,000 employees at 31 federal agencies and departments.