Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2018

FY 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations--lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirement systems, union representation, contractor compensation caps and telework report. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V section that would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees. Lobbied in support of HR 757, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rate (FAIR) Act--to provide both the General Schedule and Wage Grade federal employees a 3.2% pay raise in 2018. Lobbied in support of S 255 to increase the rate of pay under the GS schedule and for prevailing rate employees by 3.2%. S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act--lobbied in support of granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) rights under Title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied in support of HR 1022/S 362, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act--to provide up to six weeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied in support of HR 99, the Honoring the Fallen TSA Officers Act, a bill granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) sold to federal employees and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 559, the Modern Employment Reform, Improvement, and Transformation (MERIT) Act of 2017 for its adverse impact on federal employees with continued attacks on rights of the civil service to collectively bargain and on the due process system necessary when defending themselves. Lobbied against the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Reauthorization Act and its failure to address the lack of ongoing personnel and resources that plague the MSPB and delays justice for federal workers who file appeals. AFGE is very concerned with Section 7 of the Act that limits VA appeals to MSBB. Lobbied for HR 3733, the Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act, to establish a more accurate computation of retirement benefits for firefighters employed by the Federal Government. Lobbied against HR 4182, the "Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017" which would arbitrarily extend the probationary period for a minimum of two years for newly hired federal employees because of its lack of addressing issues involving employee performance evaluation or management's ability to properly evaluate employees during this period. Lobbied against S 1886, the Temporary and Term Appointments Act of 2017, that would extend competitive temporary and term appoints at agency discretion. HR 1293, to amend title 5, United States Code, to require that the Office of Personnel Management submit an annual report to Congress relating to the use of official time by Federal employees. Lobbied against the requirement that OPM submit an annual report to Congress on the use of official time by federal employees. HR 1385, Civil Service Incentives Integrity Act of 2017, a bill we lobbied against because it requires the retraction and repayment of recruitment and relocation bonuses paid to federal employees who have spent at least 80% of the time they would otherwise be in a duty status on official time. Additionally, a retention bonus may not be paid to any such employee who, for a period of 6 consecutive months of service associated with the bonus, has spent at least 80% of the time they would otherwise be in a duty status on official time. Official time is time spent by federal employees performing representational work for a bargaining unit in lieu of their regularly assigned work. HR 3303, First Responders Fair Retirement Act, lobbied in support of this bill that permits disabled law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers, nuclear materials couriers, members of the Capitol Police, members of the Supreme Court Police, employees of the Central Intelligence Agency performing intelligence activities abroad or having specialized security requirements, and diplomatic security special agents of the Department of State to receive retirement benefits in the same manner as if they had not been disabled. HR 5300, Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2018. Lobbied against this bill that provides the authority of a federal agency to take action to restrict or prohibit access to a website, or to test, deploy, or update a cybersecurity measure, if the agency determines such action is necessary to carry out its responsibilities, shall not be: (1) limited by a collective bargaining agreement or other agreement entered into before, on, or after this bill's enactment pursuant to federal labor-management relations provisions; or (2) negotiated under such provisions. Lobbied in support of the Warner Amendment SA 3761, to preserve an apolitical federal government employee workforce. Lobbied against the Hatch Amendment SA 3922, which would waive limitations on staff years for defense Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). Lobbied that this funding should be based on actual requirements rather than fulfilling a mandate. Lobbied against S 3208, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2018. It does not increase federal IT security, but would take collective bargaining rights away from federal employees when it comes to issues involving IT. Lobbied against S 3137/HR 6787, the Reforming Government Act of 2018, which expands current authority given to the Administration to reorganize federal government agencies but without increased oversight of the Administration's reform and reorganization plans. Lobbied against S 3437, the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act of 2018, which would establish a federal "rotational cyber workforce program." Specifically, we oppose Section 4(b)(9) and (b)(10) that would eliminate collective bargaining rights for employees in this program. Lobbied against HR 6891, a measure which would make it easier to fire, demote, or suspend federal employees who violate the Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA). The ADA already provides severe penalties, including termination for workers violating this Act. Lobbied against Senate amendment to HR 88, the Retirement, Savings, and Other Tax Relief Act of 2018, which would provide additional tax cuts for corporations and wealthy.

Client expense: $595,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

FY 2019 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations--lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirement systems, union representation, contractor compensation caps and telework report. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V section that would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees. Lobbied in support of HR 757, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rate (FAIR) Act--to provide both the General Schedule and Wage Grade federal employees a 3.2% pay raise in 2018. Lobbied in support of S 255 to increase the rate of pay under the GS schedule and for prevailing rate employees by 3.2%. S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act--lobbied in support of granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) rights under Title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied in support of HR 1022/S 362, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act--to provide up to six weeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied in support of HR 99, the Honoring the Fallen TSA Officers Act, a bill granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) sold to federal employees and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 559, the Modern Employment Reform, Improvement, and Transformation (MERIT) Act of 2017 for its adverse impact on federal employees with continued attacks on rights of the civil service to collectively bargain and on the due process system necessary when defending themselves. Lobbied against the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB) Reauthorization Act and its failure to address the lack of ongoing personnel and resources that plague the MSPB and delays justice for federal workers who file appeals. AFGE is very concerned with Section 7 of the Act that limits VA appeals to MSBB. Lobbied for HR 3733, the Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act, to establish a more accurate computation of retirement benefits for firefighters employed by the Federal Government. Lobbied against HR 4182, the "Ensuring a Qualified Civil Service Act of 2017" which would arbitrarily extend the probationary period for a minimum of two years for newly hired federal employees because of its lack of addressing issues involving employee performance evaluation or management's ability to properly evaluate employees during this period. Lobbied against S 1886, the Temporary and Term Appointments Act of 2017, that would extend competitive temporary and term appoints at agency discretion. HR 1293, to amend title 5, United States Code, to require that the Office of Personnel Management submit an annual report to Congress relating to the use of official time by Federal employees. Lobbied against the requirement that OPM submit an annual report to Congress on the use of official time by federal employees. HR 1385, Civil Service Incentives Integrity Act of 2017, a bill we lobbied against because it requires the retraction and repayment of recruitment and relocation bonuses paid to federal employees who have spent at least 80% of the time they would otherwise be in a duty status on official time. Additionally, a retention bonus may not be paid to any such employee who, for a period of 6 consecutive months of service associated with the bonus, has spent at least 80% of the time they would otherwise be in a duty status on official time. Official time is time spent by federal employees performing representational work for a bargaining unit in lieu of their regularly assigned work. HR 3303, First Responders Fair Retirement Act, lobbied in support of this bill that permits disabled law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers, nuclear materials couriers, members of the Capitol Police, members of the Supreme Court Police, employees of the Central Intelligence Agency performing intelligence activities abroad or having specialized security requirements, and diplomatic security special agents of the Department of State to receive retirement benefits in the same manner as if they had not been disabled. HR 5300, Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2018. Lobbied against this bill that provides the authority of a federal agency to take action to restrict or prohibit access to a website, or to test, deploy, or update a cybersecurity measure, if the agency determines such action is necessary to carry out its responsibilities, shall not be: (1) limited by a collective bargaining agreement or other agreement entered into before, on, or after this bill's enactment pursuant to federal labor-management relations provisions; or (2) negotiated under such provisions. Lobbied in support of the Warner Amendment SA 3761, to preserve an apolitical federal government employee workforce. Lobbied against the Hatch Amendment SA 3922, which would waive limitations on staff years for defense Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). Lobbied that this funding should be based on actual requirements rather than fulfilling a mandate. Lobbied against S 3208, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2018. It does not increase federal IT security, but would take collective bargaining rights away from federal employees when it comes to issues involving IT. Lobbied against S 3137/HR 6787, the Reforming Government Act of 2018, which expands current authority given to the Administration to reorganize federal government agencies but without increased oversight of the Administration's reform and reorganization plans. Lobbied against S 3437, the Federal Rotational Cyber Workforce Program Act of 2018, which would establish a federal "rotational cyber workforce program." Specifically, we oppose Section 4(b)(9) and (b)(10) that would eliminate collective bargaining rights for employees in this program. Lobbied against HR 6891, a measure which would make it easier to fire, demote, or suspend federal employees who violate the Anti-Deficiency Act (ADA). The ADA already provides severe penalties, including termination for workers violating this Act. Lobbied against Senate amendment to HR 88, the Retirement, Savings, and Other Tax Relief Act of 2018, which would provide additional tax cuts for corporations and wealthy.

Client expense: $565,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Agriculture, Dept of (USDA), Air Force, Dept of, Army, Dept of (Corps of Engineers), Army, Dept of (Other), Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services (BCIS), Defense Commissary Agency, Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA), Defense Finance & Accounting Service (DFAS), Defense, Dept of (DOD), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Housing & Urban Development, Dept of (HUD), Interior, Dept of (DOI), Justice, Dept of (DOJ), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Natl Institutes of Health (NIH), Navy, Dept of, Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), SENATE, Transportation Security Administration (TSA), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), U.S. Customs & Border Protection, U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Marines, Veterans Affairs, Dept of (VA)

H.R. 964, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act S. 424, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act H.R. 1293, to require an annual OPM report on official time H.R. 1364, official time reform H.R. 1385, to limit recruitment and retention bonuses for individuals on official time H.R. 1461, VET Protection Act H.R. 4878, Federal Labor-Management Partnership Act of 2018 S. 2340, Federal Labor-Management Partnership Act of 2018 H.R. 5300, Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2018 S. 3208, Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2018 H.R. 6268, the Preventing Unionization of Revenue Service Employees (PURSE) Act S. 338, Protect Federal Employee Scientific Integrity S. Res. 378, A resolution congratulating the National Treasury Employees Union on its 80th anniversary and commending the dedication to Federal employees of and continued service by the National Treasury Employees Union and the members of the National Treasury Employees Union

Client expense: $200,000 · Firm income: Not reported

Government targets: Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, Food & Drug Administration (FDA), General Services Administration (GSA), HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Health & Human Services, Dept of (HHS), Homeland Security, Dept of (DHS), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Labor, Dept of (DOL), Merit Systems Protection Board, Natl Park Service (NPS), Office of Management & Budget (OMB), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Office of Special Counsel, Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), Patent & Trademark Office (PTO), SENATE, Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC), Treasury, Dept of, U.S. Customs & Border Protection