On Thursday night, June 12, Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chairman Rand Paul (R-KY) released the text of his proposed cuts to the postal and federal workforce. These provisions would amend House-passed H.R. 1.
The Paul proposal would require newly hired or promoted federal and EAS-level USPS employees to choose between being hired as an “at-will” employee and contribute an additional 5% to FERS, or to maintain merit-based civil service protections and pay an additional 10% to FERS. (The House-passed bill requires only employees who choose not to be at-will employees to pay an additional 5%.)
The Paul proposal would also impose an MSPB user fee on employees pursuing their due process rights, with a refund only if the employee prevails. (The House-passed bill contains a similar provision.)
In addition, the Paul proposal would require the U.S. Postal Service to auction-off its electric fleet and accompanying infrastructure, with the proceeds deposited in the U.S. Treasury. (The House-passed bill does not include this provision.)
Finally, the Paul proposal does not include the House-passed provision to eliminate the FERS Annuity Supplement.
The battle continues next week as NAPS seeks the removal of the remaining and new punitive and anti-postal provisions in the reconciliation bill, and that none are added or resurrected either by the Senate or in the House of Representatives.
