BRENNAN ANDREWS

FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior (DOI) employees. Lobbied against effort to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2018 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, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. 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. 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 in opposition to S 585, the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, provisions that lessen due process protections. 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 in support of S. 1888, the Voluntary Separation Incentive Adjustment Act of 2017, increasing voluntary separation incentives to $40,000. Lobbied against S 1886, the Temporary and Term Appointments Act of 2017, that would extend competitive temporary and term appoints at agency discretion. Lobbied against S 1887, the Direct Hire of Students and Recent Graduates Act of 2017, that would allow agency heads to appoint a recent graduate to a position and circumvent the competitive hiring process.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs its potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied on recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued participation with coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter to eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to rank and file hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish products.

FY 2018 Budget Resolution--lobbied against the President's FY 2018 budget and House FY 2018 Budget Resolution. Lobbied Senate and House to oppose any cuts in federal employee pay and benefits to offset increased discretionary spending due to lifting of FY 18 and FY 19 sequester spending caps on defense and nondefense appropriations. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary towards retirement, and continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions for funding Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Coast Guard (USCG), Federal Protective Service (FPS), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In particular, continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain position in the CIS related to investigation and adjudication of the immigration rights benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer (TSO) full time equivalents (FTEs). HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, lobbied on TSO personnel issues. FY 2018 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations--lobbied on report language that would direct the VA Secretary to use appropriated funding to hire new employees to fill vacancies; provision to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. Also lobbied on proposed EPA spending cuts. FY 2018 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH. Lobbied to restore $492 million reduction to Social Security Administration and add back inflation adjusted 16 percent reduction in agency spending since 2010. FY 2017/18 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill--lobbied on contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbied to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirements be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide prohibition on conducting new, or finishing old, A-76 studies. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide A-76 moratorium. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice Science Appropriations--lobbied in favor of a CR for the remainder of FY 17 that keeps BOP funding levels consistent with FY 16 numbers. FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied for the inclusion of CJS report language that will direct BOP to provide on-site firearm storage lockers for correctional workers authorized under LEOSA to carry a firearm while commuting to and from work; Lobbied for report language that would curb the use of augmentation at the Bureau of Prisons. Lobbied for adequate funding for the US Census Bureau as they begin staffing up for the 2020 Census. Lobbied on cuts to EEOC funding. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act and the Thin Blue Line Act. FY 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations (THUD)--lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working condition of federal employees. FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2018 Energy and Water Appropriations--lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of an increase in the level of spending for the operations of the Social Security system--full funding level requested in the President's FY 2018 Budget Request. Lobbied against any potential amendments to limit or eliminate official time to all appropriations bills. Lobbied against S 1, the Senate Finance Committee tax cut bill, because of its increase in federal deficit, increasing potential cuts to federal agency funding and federal employee pay benefits. Lobbied against HR 1, the House Ways and Means Committee tax cut plan that would increase federal deficits by at least $1.7 trillion over next ten years. Lobbied against Senate Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res. 71: S.Amdts 1277, 1294, and 1296; S.Amdt 1160; S.Amdt 1154; and S.Amdt 1159. Lobbied for HR 3582, the Recognizing the Environmental Gains in Overcoming Negligence Act (REGION Act), to provide no office of the Environmental Protection Agency be closed, consolidated or eliminated using funds made available in any appropriation Act for any fiscal year.

FY 2018 Financial Services Appropriations--lobbied on provisions involving contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied in support of S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act, to grant TSOs rights under Title 5 of U.S. Code and MSPB rights; and increased funding for screener personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for HR 2283, the DHA Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2017, that establishes an employee engagement steering committee. Lobbied in support of HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap. Lobbied in support of HR 99, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants public safety officer death and injury benefits to TSOs if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of HR 2309, the Rights for TSA Officers Act, that places TSOs under title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied against: Proposed TSA budgets cuts. Elimination of the TSA Behavior Detection Officer and Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response Team. Lobbied against HR 2997, the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (AIRR) Act, that would privatize the Air Traffic Control functions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Lobbied against HR 1351, the TSA Misconduct Act. Lobbied in support of HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, to retain a provision mandating discussion and a report on the TSA personnel system. S 1872, TSA Modernization Act, lobbied to address concerns of the TSO workforce's lack of statutory workplace rights and protections that apply to majority of federal workers, including workers at DHS.

FY 2018 Foreign Operations Appropriations--lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the State Department employees.

Lobbied against HR 4242, House VA Committee proposal to establish a new permanent private care program to replace the Choice Program. Lobbied against HR 1848 and S 113, bills to authorize the use of contractors to perform medical scribe duties at the VA. Lobbing for HR 1461, a bill to severely limit the use of VA official time, allow union members to drop their dues at any time, and extend probation from 12 to 18 months. Lobbied against S 1477, Serve Veterans First Act of 2017, a bill to severely restrict VA official time based on wait times. Lobbied in support of S 1024/HR 2288, stand alone bills to implement a VA appeals reform plan. Lobbied for the introduction of HR 3459, the VA Staffing and Vacancies Transparency Act of 2017, providing for vacancy transparency at the VA. Lobbied for the introduction of S 1723, Strengthening Veterans Health Care Act of 2017, providing for more money for the VA to hire medical professionals. Lobbied against the Veterans Benefits Administration's decision to change standards for Veterans Service Representatives and potentially dismiss employees. Lobbied against the Board of Veterans' Appeals decision to change standards for attorneys and potentially dismiss employees. Lobbied against HR 4243, the "Veterans Affairs Asset and Infrastructure Review Act of 2017, as a real threat to the survival of the VA's health care system.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees.

FY 2018 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations. Lobbied for report language in FY 2018 Mil-Con VA to direct VA Secretary to use appropriated funds to hire new employees to fill vacancies. Lobbying against HR 1364 to limit and eliminate the use of official time for all federal employees. Lobbied in support of HR 3269, Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2017,to repeal federal employees' increased retirement contribution within the Federal Employees Retirement System. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its adverse impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50% of SSA employees. Lobbied in support of HR 757 and S 255 to increase federal employee pay for FY 2018 by 3.2%. Lobbied during FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed FLRA funding level for FY 2017. Lobbied in support of HR 964 and S 424, to expand the definition of a federal law enforcement officer. Lobbied against any attempts to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs' Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act Government-wide.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on CBP, CIS, TSA, and ICE relating to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of these DHS employees.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits for its employees and retirees. Lobbied against excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against House FY 2018 Budget Resolution proposed to increase Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) employee premiums. Lobbied in support of S 382 and HR 931, the Firefighter Career Registry Act of 2017, to require the collection of history and occupational data that can be linked to existing state cancer registries. Lobbied against S 1, the Senate Finance Committee tax cut bill, provision for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate.

FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied on any proposals to compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination, including staffing cuts and contracting out. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoffs. Lobbied in support of increasing BOP funding levels. Lobbied in support of increasing Census funding levels.

FY 2018 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, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. 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. 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 in opposition to S 585, the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, provisions that lessen due process protections. 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 in support of S. 1888, the Voluntary Separation Incentive Adjustment Act of 2017, increasing voluntary separation incentives to $40,000. Lobbied against S 1886, the Temporary and Term Appointments Act of 2017, that would extend competitive temporary and term appoints at agency discretion. Lobbied against S 1887, the Direct Hire of Students and Recent Graduates Act of 2017, that would allow agency heads to appoint a recent graduate to a position and circumvent the competitive hiring process.

FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied on any proposals to compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination, including staffing cuts and contracting out. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoffs. Lobbied in support of increasing BOP funding levels. Lobbied in support of increasing Census funding levels.

FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act--lobbied to amend title 10 to require civilian workforce levels are programmed and budgeted to support military force structure readiness and national military strategy; to adopt DoD-wide Army sourcing checklist used to improve compliance with sourcing laws before contracting functions; to direct DoD implement GAO recommendation that contract services be included in the Future Year Defense Program. Lobbied against suspending A-76 moratorium in NDAA FY 2018. Lobbied against converting DoD civilian employees to term employees in title 10. FY 2018 Continuing Resolution for Defense Appropriations--lobbied to add language specific to DoD for a moratorium against public-private competition under OMB Circular A-76 or any other privatization study that would convert work performed by DoD civilian employees to contract performance. Lobbied in support of the Aguilar Amendment to establish a cyber workforce development security pilot; Lobbied for HR 2036 and S 901, to prohibit DoD from reducing the amount of the per diem rates based on the duration of temporary duty assignments or for long-term travel. Lobbied against HR 3019, the Promoting Value Based Procurement Act of 2017, that would overtly discourage use of "lowest price technically acceptable" source selection processes. Lobbied against HR 3071, the Federal Acquisitions Savings Act of 2017, as unnecessary because federal agencies already have more than adequate authority and responsibility to perform lease and purchase analyses. Lobbied on HR 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act Amendments: --Lobbied in support of following amendments: Cardin Amendment #484, to strike language pertaining to "Commercial Items"; Warren Amendment #855, on accounting for civilian casualties in connection with U.S. military operations; Kaine Amendment #849, establishment of cybersecurity scholarship; and Van Hollen Amendment #913, requirement for DoD to report to Congress on Overseas Contingency Operations and Base budgets. --Lobbied against Johnson Amendment, SA 878, to arbitrarily take away federal employees' pensions as a penalty for exercising their right to join and be represented by a federal employee labor union through use of official time. --Lobbied against: McCain-Reed Amendment #498, authorizing another Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC; Donnelly Amendment on use of term appointments; and Cortez Masto Amendment and Warner Amendment establishing DoD Cyber Workforce Development Pilot program because of redundancy. --Lobbied in support of: Hirono Amendment prohibiting hiring freezes at Defense Industrial Base Facilities; Duckworth Amendment #790, establishing pro-active framework for addressing shortfall in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, maintenance, and manufacuting jobs; and Ernst Amendment #851, to take critical steps to maintain arsenals needs.

Budget reconciliation involving the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal laws as well as collective bargaining agreements relating to increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contactors.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs its potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied on recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued participation with coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter to eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to rank and file hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish products.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees.

FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior (DOI) employees. Lobbied against effort to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2018 Foreign Operations Appropriations--lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the State Department employees.

FY 2018 Financial Services Appropriations--lobbied on provisions involving contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees.

Lobbied against HR 4242, House VA Committee proposal to establish a new permanent private care program to replace the Choice Program. Lobbied against HR 1848 and S 113, bills to authorize the use of contractors to perform medical scribe duties at the VA. Lobbing for HR 1461, a bill to severely limit the use of VA official time, allow union members to drop their dues at any time, and extend probation from 12 to 18 months. Lobbied against S 1477, Serve Veterans First Act of 2017, a bill to severely restrict VA official time based on wait times. Lobbied in support of S 1024/HR 2288, stand alone bills to implement a VA appeals reform plan. Lobbied for the introduction of HR 3459, the VA Staffing and Vacancies Transparency Act of 2017, providing for vacancy transparency at the VA. Lobbied for the introduction of S 1723, Strengthening Veterans Health Care Act of 2017, providing for more money for the VA to hire medical professionals. Lobbied against the Veterans Benefits Administration's decision to change standards for Veterans Service Representatives and potentially dismiss employees. Lobbied against the Board of Veterans' Appeals decision to change standards for attorneys and potentially dismiss employees. Lobbied against HR 4243, the "Veterans Affairs Asset and Infrastructure Review Act of 2017, as a real threat to the survival of the VA's health care system.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied in support of S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act, to grant TSOs rights under Title 5 of U.S. Code and MSPB rights; and increased funding for screener personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for HR 2283, the DHA Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2017, that establishes an employee engagement steering committee. Lobbied in support of HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap. Lobbied in support of HR 99, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants public safety officer death and injury benefits to TSOs if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of HR 2309, the Rights for TSA Officers Act, that places TSOs under title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied against: Proposed TSA budgets cuts. Elimination of the TSA Behavior Detection Officer and Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response Team. Lobbied against HR 2997, the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (AIRR) Act, that would privatize the Air Traffic Control functions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Lobbied against HR 1351, the TSA Misconduct Act. Lobbied in support of HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, to retain a provision mandating discussion and a report on the TSA personnel system. S 1872, TSA Modernization Act, lobbied to address concerns of the TSO workforce's lack of statutory workplace rights and protections that apply to majority of federal workers, including workers at DHS.

FY 2018 Budget Resolution--lobbied against the President's FY 2018 budget and House FY 2018 Budget Resolution. Lobbied Senate and House to oppose any cuts in federal employee pay and benefits to offset increased discretionary spending due to lifting of FY 18 and FY 19 sequester spending caps on defense and nondefense appropriations. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary towards retirement, and continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions for funding Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Coast Guard (USCG), Federal Protective Service (FPS), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In particular, continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain position in the CIS related to investigation and adjudication of the immigration rights benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer (TSO) full time equivalents (FTEs). HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, lobbied on TSO personnel issues. FY 2018 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations--lobbied on report language that would direct the VA Secretary to use appropriated funding to hire new employees to fill vacancies; provision to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. Also lobbied on proposed EPA spending cuts. FY 2018 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH. Lobbied to restore $492 million reduction to Social Security Administration and add back inflation adjusted 16 percent reduction in agency spending since 2010. FY 2017/18 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill--lobbied on contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbied to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirements be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide prohibition on conducting new, or finishing old, A-76 studies. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide A-76 moratorium. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice Science Appropriations--lobbied in favor of a CR for the remainder of FY 17 that keeps BOP funding levels consistent with FY 16 numbers. FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied for the inclusion of CJS report language that will direct BOP to provide on-site firearm storage lockers for correctional workers authorized under LEOSA to carry a firearm while commuting to and from work; Lobbied for report language that would curb the use of augmentation at the Bureau of Prisons. Lobbied for adequate funding for the US Census Bureau as they begin staffing up for the 2020 Census. Lobbied on cuts to EEOC funding. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act and the Thin Blue Line Act. FY 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations (THUD)--lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working condition of federal employees. FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2018 Energy and Water Appropriations--lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of an increase in the level of spending for the operations of the Social Security system--full funding level requested in the President's FY 2018 Budget Request. Lobbied against any potential amendments to limit or eliminate official time to all appropriations bills. Lobbied against S 1, the Senate Finance Committee tax cut bill, because of its increase in federal deficit, increasing potential cuts to federal agency funding and federal employee pay benefits. Lobbied against HR 1, the House Ways and Means Committee tax cut plan that would increase federal deficits by at least $1.7 trillion over next ten years. Lobbied against Senate Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res. 71: S.Amdts 1277, 1294, and 1296; S.Amdt 1160; S.Amdt 1154; and S.Amdt 1159. Lobbied for HR 3582, the Recognizing the Environmental Gains in Overcoming Negligence Act (REGION Act), to provide no office of the Environmental Protection Agency be closed, consolidated or eliminated using funds made available in any appropriation Act for any fiscal year.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on CBP, CIS, TSA, and ICE relating to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of these DHS employees.

FY 2018 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, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. 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. 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 in opposition to S 585, the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, provisions that lessen due process protections. 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 in support of S. 1888, the Voluntary Separation Incentive Adjustment Act of 2017, increasing voluntary separation incentives to $40,000. Lobbied against S 1886, the Temporary and Term Appointments Act of 2017, that would extend competitive temporary and term appoints at agency discretion. Lobbied against S 1887, the Direct Hire of Students and Recent Graduates Act of 2017, that would allow agency heads to appoint a recent graduate to a position and circumvent the competitive hiring process.

FY 2018 Budget Resolution--lobbied against the President's FY 2018 budget and House FY 2018 Budget Resolution. Lobbied Senate and House to oppose any cuts in federal employee pay and benefits to offset increased discretionary spending due to lifting of FY 18 and FY 19 sequester spending caps on defense and nondefense appropriations. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary towards retirement, and continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions for funding Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Coast Guard (USCG), Federal Protective Service (FPS), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In particular, continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain position in the CIS related to investigation and adjudication of the immigration rights benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer (TSO) full time equivalents (FTEs). HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, lobbied on TSO personnel issues. FY 2018 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations--lobbied on report language that would direct the VA Secretary to use appropriated funding to hire new employees to fill vacancies; provision to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. Also lobbied on proposed EPA spending cuts. FY 2018 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH. Lobbied to restore $492 million reduction to Social Security Administration and add back inflation adjusted 16 percent reduction in agency spending since 2010. FY 2017/18 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill--lobbied on contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbied to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirements be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide prohibition on conducting new, or finishing old, A-76 studies. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide A-76 moratorium. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice Science Appropriations--lobbied in favor of a CR for the remainder of FY 17 that keeps BOP funding levels consistent with FY 16 numbers. FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied for the inclusion of CJS report language that will direct BOP to provide on-site firearm storage lockers for correctional workers authorized under LEOSA to carry a firearm while commuting to and from work; Lobbied for report language that would curb the use of augmentation at the Bureau of Prisons. Lobbied for adequate funding for the US Census Bureau as they begin staffing up for the 2020 Census. Lobbied on cuts to EEOC funding. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act and the Thin Blue Line Act. FY 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations (THUD)--lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working condition of federal employees. FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2018 Energy and Water Appropriations--lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of an increase in the level of spending for the operations of the Social Security system--full funding level requested in the President's FY 2018 Budget Request. Lobbied against any potential amendments to limit or eliminate official time to all appropriations bills. Lobbied against S 1, the Senate Finance Committee tax cut bill, because of its increase in federal deficit, increasing potential cuts to federal agency funding and federal employee pay benefits. Lobbied against HR 1, the House Ways and Means Committee tax cut plan that would increase federal deficits by at least $1.7 trillion over next ten years. Lobbied against Senate Budget Resolution (H.Con.Res. 71: S.Amdts 1277, 1294, and 1296; S.Amdt 1160; S.Amdt 1154; and S.Amdt 1159. Lobbied for HR 3582, the Recognizing the Environmental Gains in Overcoming Negligence Act (REGION Act), to provide no office of the Environmental Protection Agency be closed, consolidated or eliminated using funds made available in any appropriation Act for any fiscal year.

FY 2018 Foreign Operations Appropriations--lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the State Department employees.

FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied on any proposals to compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination, including staffing cuts and contracting out. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoffs. Lobbied in support of increasing BOP funding levels. Lobbied in support of increasing Census funding levels.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits for its employees and retirees. Lobbied against excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against House FY 2018 Budget Resolution proposed to increase Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) employee premiums. Lobbied in support of S 382 and HR 931, the Firefighter Career Registry Act of 2017, to require the collection of history and occupational data that can be linked to existing state cancer registries. Lobbied against S 1, the Senate Finance Committee tax cut bill, provision for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate.

FY 2018 Financial Services Appropriations--lobbied on provisions involving contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees.

FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act--lobbied to amend title 10 to require civilian workforce levels are programmed and budgeted to support military force structure readiness and national military strategy; to adopt DoD-wide Army sourcing checklist used to improve compliance with sourcing laws before contracting functions; to direct DoD implement GAO recommendation that contract services be included in the Future Year Defense Program. Lobbied against suspending A-76 moratorium in NDAA FY 2018. Lobbied against converting DoD civilian employees to term employees in title 10. FY 2018 Continuing Resolution for Defense Appropriations--lobbied to add language specific to DoD for a moratorium against public-private competition under OMB Circular A-76 or any other privatization study that would convert work performed by DoD civilian employees to contract performance. Lobbied in support of the Aguilar Amendment to establish a cyber workforce development security pilot; Lobbied for HR 2036 and S 901, to prohibit DoD from reducing the amount of the per diem rates based on the duration of temporary duty assignments or for long-term travel. Lobbied against HR 3019, the Promoting Value Based Procurement Act of 2017, that would overtly discourage use of "lowest price technically acceptable" source selection processes. Lobbied against HR 3071, the Federal Acquisitions Savings Act of 2017, as unnecessary because federal agencies already have more than adequate authority and responsibility to perform lease and purchase analyses. Lobbied on HR 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act Amendments: --Lobbied in support of following amendments: Cardin Amendment #484, to strike language pertaining to "Commercial Items"; Warren Amendment #855, on accounting for civilian casualties in connection with U.S. military operations; Kaine Amendment #849, establishment of cybersecurity scholarship; and Van Hollen Amendment #913, requirement for DoD to report to Congress on Overseas Contingency Operations and Base budgets. --Lobbied against Johnson Amendment, SA 878, to arbitrarily take away federal employees' pensions as a penalty for exercising their right to join and be represented by a federal employee labor union through use of official time. --Lobbied against: McCain-Reed Amendment #498, authorizing another Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC; Donnelly Amendment on use of term appointments; and Cortez Masto Amendment and Warner Amendment establishing DoD Cyber Workforce Development Pilot program because of redundancy. --Lobbied in support of: Hirono Amendment prohibiting hiring freezes at Defense Industrial Base Facilities; Duckworth Amendment #790, establishing pro-active framework for addressing shortfall in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, maintenance, and manufacuting jobs; and Ernst Amendment #851, to take critical steps to maintain arsenals needs.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied in support of S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act, to grant TSOs rights under Title 5 of U.S. Code and MSPB rights; and increased funding for screener personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for HR 2283, the DHA Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2017, that establishes an employee engagement steering committee. Lobbied in support of HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap. Lobbied in support of HR 99, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants public safety officer death and injury benefits to TSOs if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of HR 2309, the Rights for TSA Officers Act, that places TSOs under title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied against: Proposed TSA budgets cuts. Elimination of the TSA Behavior Detection Officer and Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response Team. Lobbied against HR 2997, the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (AIRR) Act, that would privatize the Air Traffic Control functions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Lobbied against HR 1351, the TSA Misconduct Act. Lobbied in support of HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, to retain a provision mandating discussion and a report on the TSA personnel system. S 1872, TSA Modernization Act, lobbied to address concerns of the TSO workforce's lack of statutory workplace rights and protections that apply to majority of federal workers, including workers at DHS.

Budget reconciliation involving the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal laws as well as collective bargaining agreements relating to increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contactors.

FY 2018 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations. Lobbied for report language in FY 2018 Mil-Con VA to direct VA Secretary to use appropriated funds to hire new employees to fill vacancies. Lobbying against HR 1364 to limit and eliminate the use of official time for all federal employees. Lobbied in support of HR 3269, Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2017,to repeal federal employees' increased retirement contribution within the Federal Employees Retirement System. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its adverse impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50% of SSA employees. Lobbied in support of HR 757 and S 255 to increase federal employee pay for FY 2018 by 3.2%. Lobbied during FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed FLRA funding level for FY 2017. Lobbied in support of HR 964 and S 424, to expand the definition of a federal law enforcement officer. Lobbied against any attempts to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs' Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act Government-wide.

FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior (DOI) employees. Lobbied against effort to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

Lobbied against HR 4242, House VA Committee proposal to establish a new permanent private care program to replace the Choice Program. Lobbied against HR 1848 and S 113, bills to authorize the use of contractors to perform medical scribe duties at the VA. Lobbing for HR 1461, a bill to severely limit the use of VA official time, allow union members to drop their dues at any time, and extend probation from 12 to 18 months. Lobbied against S 1477, Serve Veterans First Act of 2017, a bill to severely restrict VA official time based on wait times. Lobbied in support of S 1024/HR 2288, stand alone bills to implement a VA appeals reform plan. Lobbied for the introduction of HR 3459, the VA Staffing and Vacancies Transparency Act of 2017, providing for vacancy transparency at the VA. Lobbied for the introduction of S 1723, Strengthening Veterans Health Care Act of 2017, providing for more money for the VA to hire medical professionals. Lobbied against the Veterans Benefits Administration's decision to change standards for Veterans Service Representatives and potentially dismiss employees. Lobbied against the Board of Veterans' Appeals decision to change standards for attorneys and potentially dismiss employees. Lobbied against HR 4243, the "Veterans Affairs Asset and Infrastructure Review Act of 2017, as a real threat to the survival of the VA's health care system.

FY 2018 Financial Services Appropriations--lobbied on provisions involving contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs its potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied on recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued participation with coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter to eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to rank and file hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish products.

Lobbied against S 114, to extend the Veterans Choice Program without additional fund for VA. Lobbied against HR 1848 and S 113, bills to authorize the use of contractors to perform medical scribe duties at the VA. Lobbing for HR 1461, a bill to severely limit the use of VA official time, allow union members to drop their dues at any time, and extend probation from 12 to 18 months. Lobbied against S 1477, Serve Veterans First Act of 2017, a bill to severely restrict VA official time based on wait times. Lobbied in support of S 1024/HR 2288, stand alone bills to implement a VA appeals reform plan. Lobbied for the introduction of HR 3459, the VA Staffing and Vacancies Transparency Act of 2017, providing for vacancy transparency at the VA. Lobbied for the introduction of S 1723, Strengthening Veterans Health Care Act of 2017, providing for more money for the VA to hire medical professionals.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees.

FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied on any proposals to compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination, including staffing cuts and contracting out. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoffs. Lobbied in support of increasing BOP funding levels. Lobbied in support of increasing Census funding levels.

Budget reconciliation involving the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal laws as well as collective bargaining agreements relating to increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contactors.

FY 2018 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations. Lobbied for report language in FY 2018 Mil-Con VA to direct VA Secretary to use appropriated funds to hire new employees to fill vacancies. Lobbying against HR 1364 to limit and eliminate the use of official time for all federal employees. Lobbied in support of HR 3269, Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2017,to repeal federal employees' increased retirement contribution within the Federal Employees Retirement System. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its adverse impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50% of SSA employees. Lobbied in support of HR 757 and S 255 to increase federal employee pay for FY 2018 by 3.2%. Lobbied during FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed FLRA funding level for FY 2017. Lobbied in support of HR 964 and S 424, to expand the definition of a federal law enforcement officer.

FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act--lobbied to amend title 10 to require civilian workforce levels are programmed and budgeted to support military force structure readiness and national military strategy; to adopt DoD-wide Army sourcing checklist used to improve compliance with sourcing laws before contracting functions; to direct DoD implement GAO recommendation that contract services be included in the Future Year Defense Program. Lobbied against the Calvert Amendment 15% reduction of civilian workforce and Polis Amendment that reduces all DoD funding accounts. Lobbied against suspending A-76 moratorium in NDAA FY 2018. Lobbied against converting DoD civilian employees to term employees in title 10. FY 2018 Continuing Resolution for Defense Appropriations--lobbied to add language specific to DoD for a moratorium against public-private competition under OMB Circular A-76 or any other privatization study that would convert work performed by DoD civilian employees to contract performance. Lobbied in support of the Aguilar Amendment to establish a cyber workforce development security pilot; Lobbied for HR 2036 and S 901, to prohibit DoD from reducing the amount of the per diem rates based on the duration of temporary duty assignments or for long-term travel.

FY 2018 Foreign Operations Appropriations--lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the State Department employees.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on CBP, CIS, TSA, and ICE relating to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of these DHS employees.

FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior (DOI) employees. Lobbied against effort to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits for its employees and retirees. Lobbied against excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against House FY 2018 Budget Resolution proposed to increase Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) employee premiums. Lobbied in support of S 382 and HR 931, the Firefighter Career Registry Act of 2017, to require the collection of history and occupational data that can be linked to existing state cancer registries.

FY 2018 Budget Resolution--lobbied against the President's FY 2018 budget and House FY 2018 Budget Resolution. Lobbied Senate to keep any cuts to federal employees' compensation and benefits out of the FY 2018 Senate Budget. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary towards retirement, and continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions for funding Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Coast Guard (USCG), Federal Protective Service (FPS), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In particular, continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain position in the CIS related to investigation and adjudication of the immigration rights benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer (TSO) full time equivalents (FTEs). HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, lobbied on TSO personnel issues. FY 2018 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations--lobbied on report language that would direct the VA Secretary to use appropriated funding to hire new employees to fill vacancies; provision to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. Also lobbied on proposed EPA spending cuts. FY 2018 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH. Also to increase the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to help relieve the continuing backlog in processing disability claims. FY 2017/18 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill--lobbied on contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbied to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirements be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide prohibition on conducting new, or finishing old, A-76 studies. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide A-76 moratorium. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice Science Appropriations--lobbied in favor of a CR for the remainder of FY 17 that keeps BOP funding levels consistent with FY 16 numbers. FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied for the inclusion of CJS report language that will direct BOP to provide on-site firearm storage lockers for correctional workers authorized under LEOSA to carry a firearm while commuting to and from work; Lobbied for report language that would curb the use of augmentation at the Bureau of Prisons. Lobbied for adequate funding for the US Census Bureau as they begin staffing up for the 2020 Census. Lobbied on cuts to EEOC funding. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act and the Thin Blue Line Act. FY 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations (THUD)--lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working condition of federal employees. FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2018 Energy and Water Appropriations--lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of an increase in the level of spending for the operations of the Social Security system--full funding level requested in the President's FY 2018 Budget Request. Lobbied during the FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed funding level for the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Lobbied against any potential amendments to limit or eliminate official time to all appropriations bills.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied in support of S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act, to grant TSOs rights under Title 5 of U.S. Code and MSPB rights; and increased funding for screener personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for HR 2283, the DHA Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2017, that establishes an employee engagement steering committee. Lobbied in support of HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap. Lobbied in support of HR 99, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants public safety officer death and injury benefits to TSOs if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of HR 2309, the Rights for TSA Officers Act, that places TSOs under title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied against: Proposed TSA budgets cuts. Elimination of the TSA Behavior Detection Officer and Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response Team. Lobbied against HR 2997, the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (AIRR) Act, that would privatize the Air Traffic Control functions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Lobbied against HR 1351, the TSA Misconduct Act. Lobbied in support of HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, to retain a provision mandating discussion and a report on the TSA personnel system. S 1872, TSA Modernization Act, lobbied for inclusion of provisions on TSA personnel system discussion and provisions to reform canine detail provision.

FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied on any proposals to compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination, including staffing cuts and contracting out. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoffs. Lobbied in support of increasing BOP funding levels. Lobbied in support of increasing Census funding levels.

FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act--lobbied to amend title 10 to require civilian workforce levels are programmed and budgeted to support military force structure readiness and national military strategy; to adopt DoD-wide Army sourcing checklist used to improve compliance with sourcing laws before contracting functions; to direct DoD implement GAO recommendation that contract services be included in the Future Year Defense Program. Lobbied against suspending A-76 moratorium in NDAA FY 2018. Lobbied against converting DoD civilian employees to term employees in title 10. FY 2018 Continuing Resolution for Defense Appropriations--lobbied to add language specific to DoD for a moratorium against public-private competition under OMB Circular A-76 or any other privatization study that would convert work performed by DoD civilian employees to contract performance. Lobbied in support of the Aguilar Amendment to establish a cyber workforce development security pilot; Lobbied for HR 2036 and S 901, to prohibit DoD from reducing the amount of the per diem rates based on the duration of temporary duty assignments or for long-term travel. Lobbied against HR 3019, the Promoting Value Based Procurement Act of 2017, that would overtly discourage use of "lowest price technically acceptable" source selection processes. Lobbied against HR 3071, the Federal Acquisitions Savings Act of 2017, as unnecessary because federal agencies already have more than adequate authority and responsibility to perform lease and purchase analyses. Lobbied on HR 2810, the National Defense Authorization Act Amendments: --Lobbied in support of following amendments: Cardin Amendment #484, to strike language pertaining to "Commercial Items"; Warren Amendment #855, on accounting for civilian casualties in connection with U.S. military operations; Kaine Amendment #849, establishment of cybersecurity scholarship; and Van Hollen Amendment #913, requirement for DoD to report to Congress on Overseas Contingency Operations and Base budgets. --Lobbied against Johnson Amendment, SA 878, to arbitrarily take away federal employees' pensions as a penalty for exercising their right to join and be represented by a federal employee labor union through use of official time. --Lobbied against: McCain-Reed Amendment #498, authorizing another Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC; Donnelly Amendment on use of term appointments; and Cortez Masto Amendment and Warner Amendment establishing DoD Cyber Workforce Development Pilot program because of redundancy. --Lobbied in support of: Hirono Amendment prohibiting hiring freezes at Defense Industrial Base Facilities; Duckworth Amendment #790, establishing pro-active framework for addressing shortfall in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, maintenance, and manufacuting jobs; and Ernst Amendment #851, to take critical steps to maintain arsenals needs.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied in support of S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act, to grant TSOs rights under Title 5 of U.S. Code and MSPB rights; and increased funding for screener personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for HR 2283, the DHA Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2017, that establishes an employee engagement steering committee. Lobbied in support of HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap. Lobbied in support of HR 99, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants public safety officer death and injury benefits to TSOs if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of HR 2309, the Rights for TSA Officers Act, that places TSOs under title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied against: Proposed TSA budgets cuts. Elimination of the TSA Behavior Detection Officer and Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response Team. Lobbied against HR 2997, the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (AIRR) Act, that would privatize the Air Traffic Control functions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Lobbied against HR 1351, the TSA Misconduct Act. Lobbied in support of HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, to retain a provision mandating discussion and a report on the TSA personnel system. S 1872, TSA Modernization Act, lobbied to address concerns of the TSO workforce's lack of statutory workplace rights and protections that apply to majority of federal workers, including workers at DHS.

Lobbied against HR 4242, House VA Committee proposal to establish a new permanent private care program to replace the Choice Program. Lobbied against HR 1848 and S 113, bills to authorize the use of contractors to perform medical scribe duties at the VA. Lobbing for HR 1461, a bill to severely limit the use of VA official time, allow union members to drop their dues at any time, and extend probation from 12 to 18 months. Lobbied against S 1477, Serve Veterans First Act of 2017, a bill to severely restrict VA official time based on wait times. Lobbied in support of S 1024/HR 2288, stand alone bills to implement a VA appeals reform plan. Lobbied for the introduction of HR 3459, the VA Staffing and Vacancies Transparency Act of 2017, providing for vacancy transparency at the VA. Lobbied for the introduction of S 1723, Strengthening Veterans Health Care Act of 2017, providing for more money for the VA to hire medical professionals. Lobbied against the Veterans Benefits Administration's decision to change standards for Veterans Service Representatives and potentially dismiss employees. Lobbied against the Board of Veterans' Appeals decision to change standards for attorneys and potentially dismiss employees. Lobbied against HR 4243, the "Veterans Affairs Asset and Infrastructure Review Act of 2017, as a real threat to the survival of the VA's health care system.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees.

FY 2018 Foreign Operations Appropriations--lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the State Department employees.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits for its employees and retirees. Lobbied against excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against House FY 2018 Budget Resolution proposed to increase Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) employee premiums. Lobbied in support of S 382 and HR 931, the Firefighter Career Registry Act of 2017, to require the collection of history and occupational data that can be linked to existing state cancer registries. Lobbied against S 1, the Senate Finance Committee tax cut bill, provision for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act's individual mandate.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on CBP, CIS, TSA, and ICE relating to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of these DHS employees.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs its potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied on recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued participation with coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter to eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to rank and file hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish products.

FY 2018 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations. Lobbied for report language in FY 2018 Mil-Con VA to direct VA Secretary to use appropriated funds to hire new employees to fill vacancies. Lobbying against HR 1364 to limit and eliminate the use of official time for all federal employees. Lobbied in support of HR 3269, Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2017,to repeal federal employees' increased retirement contribution within the Federal Employees Retirement System. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its adverse impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50% of SSA employees. Lobbied in support of HR 757 and S 255 to increase federal employee pay for FY 2018 by 3.2%. Lobbied during FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed FLRA funding level for FY 2017. Lobbied in support of HR 964 and S 424, to expand the definition of a federal law enforcement officer. Lobbied against any attempts to expand the Department of Veterans Affairs' Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act Government-wide.

FY 2018 Financial Services Appropriations--lobbied on provisions involving contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees.

FY 2018 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, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. 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. 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 in opposition to S 585, the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, provisions that lessen due process protections. 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 in support of S. 1888, the Voluntary Separation Incentive Adjustment Act of 2017, increasing voluntary separation incentives to $40,000. Lobbied against S 1886, the Temporary and Term Appointments Act of 2017, that would extend competitive temporary and term appoints at agency discretion. Lobbied against S 1887, the Direct Hire of Students and Recent Graduates Act of 2017, that would allow agency heads to appoint a recent graduate to a position and circumvent the competitive hiring process.

FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior (DOI) employees. Lobbied against effort to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

Budget reconciliation involving the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal laws as well as collective bargaining agreements relating to increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contactors.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits for its employees and retirees. Lobbied against excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against House FY 2018 Budget Resolution proposed to increase Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) employee premiums. Lobbied in support of S 382 and HR 931, the Firefighter Career Registry Act of 2017, to require the collection of history and occupational data that can be linked to existing state cancer registries.

Budget reconciliation involving the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal laws as well as collective bargaining agreements relating to increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contactors.

FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act--lobbied to amend title 10 to require civilian workforce levels are programmed and budgeted to support military force structure readiness and national military strategy; to adopt DoD-wide Army sourcing checklist used to improve compliance with sourcing laws before contracting functions; to direct DoD implement GAO recommendation that contract services be included in the Future Year Defense Program. Lobbied against the Calvert Amendment 15% reduction of civilian workforce and Polis Amendment that reduces all DoD funding accounts. Lobbied against suspending A-76 moratorium in NDAA FY 2018. Lobbied against converting DoD civilian employees to term employees in title 10. FY 2018 Continuing Resolution for Defense Appropriations--lobbied to add language specific to DoD for a moratorium against public-private competition under OMB Circular A-76 or any other privatization study that would convert work performed by DoD civilian employees to contract performance. Lobbied in support of the Aguilar Amendment to establish a cyber workforce development security pilot; Lobbied for HR 2036 and S 901, to prohibit DoD from reducing the amount of the per diem rates based on the duration of temporary duty assignments or for long-term travel.

FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior (DOI) employees. Lobbied against effort to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2018 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations. Lobbied for report language in FY 2018 Mil-Con VA to direct VA Secretary to use appropriated funds to hire new employees to fill vacancies. Lobbying against HR 1364 to limit and eliminate the use of official time for all federal employees. Lobbied in support of HR 3269, Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2017,to repeal federal employees' increased retirement contribution within the Federal Employees Retirement System. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its adverse impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50% of SSA employees. Lobbied in support of HR 757 and S 255 to increase federal employee pay for FY 2018 by 3.2%. Lobbied during FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed FLRA funding level for FY 2017. Lobbied in support of HR 964 and S 424, to expand the definition of a federal law enforcement officer.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied in support of S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act, to grant TSOs rights under Title 5 of U.S. Code and MSPB rights; and increased funding for screener personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for HR 2283, the DHA Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 2017, that establishes an employee engagement steering committee. Lobbied in support of HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap. Lobbied in support of HR 99, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants public safety officer death and injury benefits to TSOs if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of HR 2309, the Rights for TSA Officers Act, that places TSOs under title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied against: Proposed TSA budgets cuts. Elimination of the TSA Behavior Detection Officer and Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response Team. Lobbied against HR 2997, the 21st Century Aviation Innovation, Reform, and Reauthorization Act (AIRR) Act, that would privatize the Air Traffic Control functions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Lobbied against HR 1351, the TSA Misconduct Act. Lobbied in support of HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, to retain a provision mandating discussion and a report on the TSA personnel system. S 1872, TSA Modernization Act, lobbied for inclusion of provisions on TSA personnel system discussion and provisions to reform canine detail provision.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on CBP, CIS, TSA, and ICE relating to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of these DHS employees.

FY 2018 Financial Services Appropriations--lobbied on provisions involving contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees.

FY 2018 Budget Resolution--lobbied against the President's FY 2018 budget and House FY 2018 Budget Resolution. Lobbied Senate to keep any cuts to federal employees' compensation and benefits out of the FY 2018 Senate Budget. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary towards retirement, and continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions for funding Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Coast Guard (USCG), Federal Protective Service (FPS), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In particular, continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain position in the CIS related to investigation and adjudication of the immigration rights benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer (TSO) full time equivalents (FTEs). HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, lobbied on TSO personnel issues. FY 2018 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations--lobbied on report language that would direct the VA Secretary to use appropriated funding to hire new employees to fill vacancies; provision to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. Also lobbied on proposed EPA spending cuts. FY 2018 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH. Also to increase the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to help relieve the continuing backlog in processing disability claims. FY 2017/18 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill--lobbied on contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbied to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirements be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide prohibition on conducting new, or finishing old, A-76 studies. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide A-76 moratorium. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice Science Appropriations--lobbied in favor of a CR for the remainder of FY 17 that keeps BOP funding levels consistent with FY 16 numbers. FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied for the inclusion of CJS report language that will direct BOP to provide on-site firearm storage lockers for correctional workers authorized under LEOSA to carry a firearm while commuting to and from work; Lobbied for report language that would curb the use of augmentation at the Bureau of Prisons. Lobbied for adequate funding for the US Census Bureau as they begin staffing up for the 2020 Census. Lobbied on cuts to EEOC funding. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act and the Thin Blue Line Act. FY 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations (THUD)--lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working condition of federal employees. FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2018 Energy and Water Appropriations--lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of an increase in the level of spending for the operations of the Social Security system--full funding level requested in the President's FY 2018 Budget Request. Lobbied during the FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed funding level for the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Lobbied against any potential amendments to limit or eliminate official time to all appropriations bills.

Lobbied against S 114, to extend the Veterans Choice Program without additional fund for VA. Lobbied against HR 1848 and S 113, bills to authorize the use of contractors to perform medical scribe duties at the VA. Lobbing for HR 1461, a bill to severely limit the use of VA official time, allow union members to drop their dues at any time, and extend probation from 12 to 18 months. Lobbied against S 1477, Serve Veterans First Act of 2017, a bill to severely restrict VA official time based on wait times. Lobbied in support of S 1024/HR 2288, stand alone bills to implement a VA appeals reform plan. Lobbied for the introduction of HR 3459, the VA Staffing and Vacancies Transparency Act of 2017, providing for vacancy transparency at the VA. Lobbied for the introduction of S 1723, Strengthening Veterans Health Care Act of 2017, providing for more money for the VA to hire medical professionals.

FY 2018 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, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. 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. 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 in opposition to S 585, the Dr. Chris Kirkpatrick Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, provisions that lessen due process protections.

FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied on any proposals to compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination, including staffing cuts and contracting out. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoffs. Lobbied in support of increasing BOP funding levels. Lobbied in support of increasing Census funding levels.

FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act--lobbied to amend title 10 to require civilian workforce levels are programmed and budgeted to support military force structure readiness and national military strategy; to adopt DoD-wide Army sourcing checklist used to improve compliance with sourcing laws before contracting functions; to direct DoD implement GAO recommendation that contract services be included in the Future Year Defense Program. Lobbied against the Calvert Amendment 15% reduction of civilian workforce and Polis Amendment that reduces all DoD funding accounts. Lobbied against suspending A-76 moratorium in NDAA FY 2018. Lobbied against converting DoD civilian employees to term employees in title 10. FY 2018 Continuing Resolution for Defense Appropriations--lobbied to add language specific to DoD for a moratorium against public-private competition under OMB Circular A-76 or any other privatization study that would convert work performed by DoD civilian employees to contract performance. Lobbied in support of the Aguilar Amendment to establish a cyber workforce development security pilot; Lobbied for the Norman Amendment for GAO review of DoD costing models between the military, civilian, and contractor workforces. Lobbied against HR 2036 and S 901 to prohibit DoD from reducing per diem rates for long-term travel.

FY 2018 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, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. 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.

FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied on any proposals to compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination, including staffing cuts and contracting out. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoffs. Lobbied in support of increasing BOP funding levels. Lobbied in support of increasing Census funding levels.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs its potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied on recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued participation with coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter to eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to rank and file hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish products.

FY 2018 Foreign Operations Appropriations--lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the State Department employees.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees.

FY 2018 Budget Resolution--lobbied against the President's FY 2018 budget and House FY 2018 Budget Resolution. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary towards retirement, and continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions for funding Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Coast Guard (USCG), Federal Protective Service (FPS), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In particular, continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain position in the CIS related to investigation and adjudication of the immigration rights benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer (TSO) full time equivalents (FTEs). HR 2825, DHS Authorization Act, lobbied on TSO personnel issues. FY 2018 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations--lobbied on report language that would direct the VA Secretary to use appropriated funding to hire new employees to fill vacancies; provision to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. Also lobbied on proposed EPA spending cuts. FY 2018 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH. Also to increase the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to help relieve the continuing backlog in processing disability claims. FY 2017/18 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill--lobbied on contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbied to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirements be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide prohibition on conducting new, or finishing old, A-76 studies. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide A-76 moratorium. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice Science Appropriations--lobbied in favor of a CR for the remainder of FY 17 that keeps BOP funding levels consistent with FY 16 numbers. FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied for the inclusion of CJS report language that will direct BOP to provide on-site firearm storage lockers for correctional workers authorized under LEOSA to carry a firearm while commuting to and from work; Lobbied for report language that would curb the use of augmentation at the Bureau of Prisons. Lobbied for adequate funding for the US Census Bureau as they begin staffing up for the 2020 Census. Lobbied on cuts to EEOC funding. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act and the Thin Blue Line Act. Continued interfacing with the House/Senate to highlight the safety concerns that arise out of BOP not having a permanent Director in place. FY 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations (THUD)--lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working condition of federal employees. FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2018 Energy and Water Appropriations--lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of an increase in the level of spending for the operations of the Social Security system--full funding level requested in the President's FY 2018 Budget Request. Lobbied during the FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed funding level for the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Lobbied against any potential amendments to limit or eliminate official time to all appropriations bills.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits for its employees and retirees. Lobbied against excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied in support of S 382 and HR 931, the Firefighter Career Registry Act of 2017, to require the collection of history and occupational data that can be linked to existing state cancer registries.

Lobbied against HR 1259/S 493, a bill to strip collective bargaining rights and due process from every VA employee, including 120,000 veterans in the VA workforce. Lobbied to improve unfavorable provisions in S 1094, the Department of VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act of 2017, that would make severe cuts in VA due process rights, collective bargaining rights, and allow recoupment of pensions bonuses and relocation expenses. Lobbied against S 1094. Lobbied against HR 369, To eliminate Sunset of Veterans Choice Program, as originally drafted that would expand the Choice Program. Lobbied against HR 1848 and S 113, bills to authorize the use of contractors to perform medical scribe duties at the VA. Lobbied against HR 1461, a bill to severely limit the use of VA official time, allow union members to drop their dues at any time, and extend probation from 12 to 18 months. Lobbied against S 1477, Serve Veterans First Act of 2017, a bill to severely restrict VA official time based on wait times. Lobbied in support of S 1024/HR 2288, stand alone bills to implement a VA appeals reform plan.

Budget reconciliation involving the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal laws as well as collective bargaining agreements relating to increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contactors.

FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on CBP, CIS, and ICE relating to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of these DHS employees.

FY 2018 Financial Services Appropriations--lobbied on provisions involving contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees.

FY 2018 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations. Lobbied for report language in FY 2018 Mil-Con VA to direct VA Secretary to use appropriated funds to hire new employees to fill vacancies. Lobbying against HR 1364 to limit and eliminate the use of official time for all federal employees. Lobbied in support of HR 3269, to repeal federal employees' increased retirement contribution from 2013 and 2014. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its adverse impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50% of SSA employees. Lobbied in support of HR 757 and S 255 to increase federal employee pay for FY 2018 by 3.2%. Lobbied during FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed FLRA funding level for FY 2017. Lobbied in support of HR 964 and S 424, to expand the definition of a federal law enforcement officer.

FY 2018 National Defense Authorization Act--lobbied to amend title 10 United States Code section 129, 129a, 235 and 2330a to restrict the use of appropriated funds to implement civilian caps, reductions, or hiring freezes; to limit conversions of work performed by civilian employees or contractors to military performance outside military occupational specialties and to require application of DODI 7041.04 cost analysis when contemplating such conversions; to clarify the scope of the contractor inventory to ensure it broadly applies based on total force management principles; to require publication and reporting of the contractor inventory; to adopt DoD-wide Army sourcing checklist used to improve compliance with sourcing laws before contracting functions; to clarify scope of contractor inventory to services performed as part of goods contracts; to direct DoD implement GAO recommendation that contract services be included in the Future Year Defense Program. Lobbied to amend 1507 of title 10 to change the order of retention for RIFs to title 5 criteria that seniority and veterans status are higher in order of retention than performance. Lobbied on technical issues related to the consistent provision of medical care to deployed civilian employees by military medical treatment facilities. Lobbied against POTUS hiring freeze and OMB-directed plan for civilian reductions. FY2018 Continuing Resolution for Defense Appropriations--lobbied to add language specific to DoD for a moratorium against public-private competition under OMB Circular A-76 or any other privatization study that would convert work performed by DoD civilian employees to contract performance. Lobbied to re-include standard language prohibiting managing the DoD civilian workforce to caps and to require that they be managed solely based on workload and available funding.

FY 2018 Foreign Operations Appropriations--lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the State Department employees.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in order to ensure the continued integrity of the grain inspection process.

FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied in support of S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act, to grant TSOs rights under Title 5 of U.S. Code and MSPB rights; and increased funding for screener personnel, compensation, and benefits. Also lobbied for: HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap. HR 99, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants public safety officer death and injury benefits to TSOs if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against: Proposed TSA budgets cuts. Efforts to privatize the Air Traffic Control functions of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Elimination of the TSA Behavior Detection Officer and Visual Intermodal Prevention and Response Team.

Budget reconciliation involving the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal laws as well as collective bargaining agreements relating to increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contactors.

Lobbied against HR 1259/S 493, a bill to strip collective bargaining rights and due process from every VA employee, including 120,000 veterans in the VA workforce. Lobbied against S 152/HR 611, a bill that would make severe cuts in VA due process rights, recoup bonuses and relocation expenses, and ties these to appeals reform. Lobbied against S 57, a bill that allows for arbitrary recoupment of VA bonuses and severely restricts expungement of VA personnel files. Lobbied against HR 27, a bill that severely restricts expungement of VA personnel files. Lobbied against HR 1848 and S 113, bills to authorize the use of contractors to perform medical scribe duties at the VA. Lobbied against HR 1461, a bill to severely limit the use of VA official time, allow union members to drop their dues at any time, and extend probation from 12 to 18 months. Lobbied against S 12, a bill to allow recoupment of pensions from VA medical professionals convicted of certain felonies. Lobbied for HR 696, a bill to exempt the entire VA workforce from the hiring freeze. Lobbied for S. 336/HR 980, bills to restore full collective bargaining rights to VA health care personnel appointed under Title 38. Lobbied for S. 426, a bill to increase education, training, and locality pay for VA physician assistants. Lobbied for S 712.HR 457, stand alone bills to implement a VA appeals reform plan.

FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied on any proposals to compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination, including staffing cuts and contracting out. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoffs. Lobbied in support of increasing BOP funding levels.

FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs its potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied on recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued participation with coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter to eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to rank and file hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish products.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP that could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement such changes would not harm FEHBP enrollees. Lobbied against excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future.

FY 2018 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its adverse impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50% of SSA employees. HR 1869, the Paycheck Fairness Act--lobbied in support of its intent to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers. Lobbied against changes to the G Fund in the federal government Thrift Savings Plan, specifically, attempts to lower the interest rate, and be used as a funding source to pay for the Highway Bill. Lobbied during FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed FLRA funding level for FY 2017.

FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on CBP, CIS, and ICE relating to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of these DHS employees.

FY 2018 Budget Resolution--lobbied against the President's "skinny" budget. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary towards retirement, and continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2018 Homeland Security Appropriations--lobbied on provisions for funding Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Coast Guard (USCG), Federal Protective Service (FPS), and Transportation Security Administration (TSA). In particular, continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain position in the CIS related to investigation and adjudication of the immigration rights benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer (TSO) full time equivalents (FTEs). FY 2018 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations--lobbied on provision to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. FY 2018 Interior and Environmental Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2018 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH. Also to increase the Social Security Administration's administrative budget to help relieve the continuing backlog in processing disability claims. FY 2017/18 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Bill--lobbied on contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbied to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirements be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide prohibition on conducting new, or finishing old, A-76 studies. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide A-76 moratorium. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice Science Appropriations--lobbied in favor of a CR for the remainder of FY 17 that keeps BOP funding levels consistent with FY 16 numbers. Lobbied for adequate funding for the US Census Bureau as they begin staffing up for the 2020 Census. FY 2018 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations--lobbied for the inclusion of CJS report language that will direct BOP to provide on-site firearm storage lockers for correctional workers authorized under LEOSA to carry a firearm while commuting to and from work. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act and the Thin Blue Line Act. Continued to interface with House/Senate Judiciary Committees to get the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Correctional Officer Self-Protection Act language included in prison reform packages. Continued interfacing with the House/Senate to highlight the safety concerns that arise out of BOP not having a permanent Director in place. FY 2018 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations (THUD)--lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working condition of federal employees. FY 2018 Agriculture Appropriations--lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2018 Energy and Water Appropriations--lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of an increase in the level of spending for the operations of the Social Security system--full funding level requested in the President's FY 2018 Budget Request. Lobbied during the FY 17 omnibus negotiations that the conferees accept the House-passed funding level for the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).

FY 2018 Financial Services Appropriations--lobbied on provisions involving contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) employees.

FY 2017 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, lobbied on Civil Service and performance management: to strike Senate sections 1101, 1102, and 1103 (S 1376), but to include House section 906; include House section 602; on Sourcing: include House section 863; include House section 321; and include House section 907; on Depots and Arsenals: include House section 804(c); include House section 325; include House section 1421; and include House section 905(f); on Acquisition Reform: include House section 835; include House section 822(j); and include Senate section 841(d). Lobbied on HR 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act, Federal employees may not be placed on administrative leave for more than 14 days during any year for misconduct, poor performance, or other purposes; and HR 4360, Official Personnel File Enhancement Act, Lobbied in support of HR 1658,Federal Employee Accountability Act of 2015. Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees in anticipation of additional furloughs. Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 100,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.

FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act (EINSTEIN America Act - continued lobbying against Section 122 that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the Department of Energy's award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned, government-operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff; BOP funding.

FY 2017 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on possible bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied against HR 1890, the Fast Track 2015 legislation. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied on the inclusion of special political preferences in the federal procurement process to reward certain contractors for their labor-friendliness (High Road). Lobbied in support of HR 3523, Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act, so that Transportation Security Officers are eligible to receive public safety officers' death benefits.

FY 2017 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees.

2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), HR 4488, Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016; removal of TSA screener cap; and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP with potential to benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2017 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2017 THUD Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers. Lobbied against changes to the G Fund in the federal Government Thrift Savings Plan, specifically any attempts to lower the interest rate, to be used as a funding source to pay for the Highway bill. Lobbied against HR 4461, the Federal Employee Rights Act, which provides that agencies may not deduct labor organization dues from the pay of Federal employees, and for other purposes.

FY 2017 Budget Resolution - lobbied against House Budget Committee Chairman Price's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 270). Lobbied against Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi's FY 2017 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res). Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary toward retirement, continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions for funding Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. Provisions to halt reduction of the Federal Protective Service workforce. Continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer full time equivalents (FTEs). FY 2017 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2017 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing continuing backlog of disability claims. FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - Lobbied for the passage and adoption of the Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act (S 238). Lobbied for the Recidivism Risk Reduction Act (HR 759); the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S 2123); and the Smarter Sentencing Act (S 502 and HR 920). Lobbied for appropriate implementation and oversight of FY 2016 appropriations language mandating the Bureau provide a second officer in all high security housing units for all three shifts. Lobbied to bring more attention to the needs of Federal Prison Industries (FPI). Continued lobbying efforts for adequate funding of the Building and Facilities account for modernization and repair of existing BOP institutions. Continue to ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. Continued lobbying efforts against amendments having a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2017 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations - reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing. FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employees jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of the "Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2015" to amend recent major cuts to federal employee pensions and to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied on the impact the budget agreement has on pension cuts for middle income federal workers and those hired before 2013.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2017 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2017 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied against HR 1890, the Fast Track 2015 legislation. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied on the inclusion of special political preferences in the federal procurement process to reward certain contractors for their labor-friendliness (High Road). Lobbied in support of HR 3523, Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act, so that Transportation Security Officers are eligible to receive public safety officers' death benefits. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.

FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2017 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, lobbied on Civil Service and performance management: to strike Senate sections 1101, 1102, and 1103 (S 1376), but to include House section 906; include House section 603; on Sourcing: include House section 863; include House section 321; and include House section 907; on Depots and Arsenals: include House section 804(c); include House section 325; include House section 1421; and include House section 905(f); on Acquisition Reform: include House section 835; include House section 822(j); and include Senate section 841(d). Lobbied on HR 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act, Federal employees may not be placed on administrative leave for more than 14 days during any year for misconduct, poor performance, or other purposes; and HR 4360, Official Personnel File Enhancement Act, Lobbied againstHR 1658,Federal Employee Accountability Act of 2015. Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2017 Budget Resolution - lobbied against House Budget Committee Chairman Price's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 270). Lobbied against Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi's FY 2017 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res). Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary toward retirement, continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions for funding Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. Provisions to halt reduction of the Federal Protective Service workforce. Continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer full time equivalents (FTEs). FY 2017 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2017 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing continuing backlog of disability claims. FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide prohibition on conducting new, or finishing old, A-76 studies. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - Lobbied for the Recidivism Risk Reduction Act (HR 759); the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S 2123); and the Smarter Sentencing Act (S 502 and HR 920). Lobbied for appropriate implementation and oversight of FY 2016 appropriations language mandating the Bureau provide a second officer in all high security housing units for all three shifts. Lobbied to bring more attention to the needs of Federal Prison Industries (FPI). Lobbied for the inclusion of language into the CJS report that would direct BOP to provide secure, on-site firearm storage lockers where employees can store their personal firearm. Continued to ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. Interfaced with House/Senate offices to generate interest on safety concerns that arise due to BOP not having a full-time permanent Director. Interfaced with House/Senate offices to generate interest on Federal Prison Industries recent decisions to close factories. Continued lobbying efforts against amendments having a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2017 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations - reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing. FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employees jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of the "Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2015" to amend recent major cuts to federal employee pensions and to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied on the impact the budget agreement has on pension cuts for middle income federal workers and those hired before 2013.

FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff; BOP funding.

FY 2017 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers. Lobbied against changes to the G Fund in the federal Government Thrift Savings Plan, specifically any attempts to lower the interest rate, to be used as a funding source to pay for the Highway bill. Lobbied against HR 4461, the Federal Employee Rights Act, which provides that agencies may not deduct labor organization dues from the pay of Federal employees, and for other purposes. Lobbied against S 2975 and HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016.

FY 2017 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems. AFGE continues to work with a coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter that will eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish product.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to ensure the integrity of the grain inspection process.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to ensure the integrity of the grain inspection process.

FY 2017 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2017 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems. AFGE continues to work with a coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter that will eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish product.

FY 2017 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers. Lobbied against changes to the G Fund in the federal Government Thrift Savings Plan, specifically any attempts to lower the interest rate, to be used as a funding source to pay for the Highway bill. Lobbied against HR 4461, the Federal Employee Rights Act, which provides that agencies may not deduct labor organization dues from the pay of Federal employees, and for other purposes. Lobbied against S 2975 and HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016. Lobbied against HR 6094, Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act, to delay implementation of the Department of Labor's new overtime regulations by six months. Lobbied in support of the Back the Blue Act, legislation that provides meaningful solutions to keep our law enforcement officers safe while on the the job.

FY 2017 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees.

2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), HR 4488, Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016; removal of TSA screener cap; and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for: HR 5340, Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration Act (FASTER)that returns all proceeds of all security fees to TSA. HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap for remaining FY 16. HR 3523, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants TSOs public safety officer death and injury benefits if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. HRes 818 FAA Reauthorization Extension Act, provides 14-month extension for FAA Authorization; includes no privatization of FAA Air Traffic Control functions and broader distribution of TSA's staffing allocation model. HR 636, FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act, applies Wounded Warrior Leave act to TSA and FAA.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP with potential to benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future.

FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2017 Budget Resolution - lobbied against House Budget Committee Chairman Price's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 270). Lobbied against Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi's FY 2017 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res). Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary toward retirement, continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions for funding Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. Provisions to halt reduction of the Federal Protective Service workforce. Continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer full time equivalents (FTEs). FY 2017 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2017 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing continuing backlog of disability claims. FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide prohibition on conducting new, or finishing old, A-76 studies. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - Lobbied for the Recidivism Risk Reduction Act (HR 759); the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S 2123); and the Smarter Sentencing Act (S 502 and HR 920). Lobbied for appropriate implementation and oversight of FY 2016 appropriations language mandating the Bureau provide a second officer in all high security housing units for all three shifts. Lobbied to bring more attention to the needs of Federal Prison Industries (FPI). Lobbied for the inclusion of language into the CJS report that would direct BOP to provide secure, on-site firearm storage lockers where employees can store their personal firearm. Continued to ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. Interfaced with House/Senate offices to generate interest on safety concerns that arise due to BOP not having a full-time permanent Director. Interfaced with House/Senate offices to generate interest on Federal Prison Industries recent decisions to close factories. Continued lobbying efforts against amendments having a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2017 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations - reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing. FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employees jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of the "Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2015" to amend recent major cuts to federal employee pensions and to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied on the impact the budget agreement has on pension cuts for middle income federal workers and those hired before 2013. Lobbied in support of an increase in the level of spending for the operations of the Social Security system--full funding level requested in the President's FY 2017 Budget Request.

FY 2017 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, lobbied the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) to support House language maintaining a moratorium on Office of Management and Budget (OMB) A-76 privatization studies at the Department of Defense (DoD); also urged HASC and SASC leadership to accept House language allowing the completion of the statutorily required DoD service contractor inventory--something that Army has done and should be followed by the rest of DoD; and to reject these two provisions in the Senate NDAA. Lobbied on HR 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act, Federal employees may not be placed on administrative leave for more than 14 days during any year for misconduct, poor performance, or other purposes; and HR 4360, Official Personnel File Enhancement Act, Lobbied against HR 1658, Federal Employee Accountability Act of 2015. Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status. Lobbied on behalf of federal employees who work at the Selfridge Air National Guard (ANGB) in Harrison Township, Michigan, for help regarding drastic personnel cuts announced by the military leadership at Selfridge ANGB.

FY 2017 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems. AFGE continues to work with a coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter that will eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish product.

FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff; BOP funding.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to ensure the integrity of the grain inspection process.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), HR 4488, Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016; removal of TSA screener cap; and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for: HR 5340, Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration Act (FASTER)that returns all proceeds of all security fees to TSA. HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap for remaining FY 16. HR 3523, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants TSOs public safety officer death and injury benefits if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz urging granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Letter urging support for soon to be introduced bill, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act (SATSA) to address these concerns. HRes 818 FAA Reauthorization Extension Act, provides 14-month extension for FAA Authorization; includes no privatization of FAA Air Traffic Control functions and broader distribution of TSA's staffing allocation model. HR 636, FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act, applies Wounded Warrior Leave act to TSA and FAA.

FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2017 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2017 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers. Lobbied against changes to the G Fund in the federal Government Thrift Savings Plan, specifically any attempts to lower the interest rate, to be used as a funding source to pay for the Highway bill. Lobbied against HR 4461, the Federal Employee Rights Act, which provides that agencies may not deduct labor organization dues from the pay of Federal employees, and for other purposes. Lobbied against S 2975 and HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016. Lobbied against HR 6094, Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act, to delay implementation of the Department of Labor's new overtime regulations by six months. Lobbied in support of the Back the Blue Act, legislation that provides meaningful solutions to keep our law enforcement officers safe while on the the job. Lobbied on upcoming FY 17 omnibus negotiations that conferees accept the House-passed FLRA funding level of $26,631,000 for FY 2017.

Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. Lobbied against the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) VA bonus provisions because of the extremely unfair and arbitrary pay-for provisions. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958/HR 5099, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. HR 5620, lobbied against decreasing accountability at the VA that would severely undermine the rights of VA employees. Specifically, Amendment No. 1 by Rep Miller and Amendment No. 22 by Rep Lance. S 290, lobbied against Moran Amendment, which would allow recoupment of pension already earned by VA front line clinicians convicted of felonies based on conduct or performance, including physicians, dentists, RNs, and PAs. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. HR 4150, Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act as originally drafted. Lobbied against the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to HR 4150, which would prohibit the payment of physician assistant (PA) overtime under certain conditions and mandate unreasonable schedules for VA physicians. HR 5083, VA Appeals Modernization Act, that would ensure greater fairness and timeliness in the appeal process. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28,2016 as Federal Nurses Week.

FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2017 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Section 8012--lobbied in opposition to any efforts to remove the language contained in Section 8012 of the House-passed Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2017 Act. Section 820--Lobbied to ensure the Senate recede on Section 820 and adopt the House-passed approach on the inventory for contractor services. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, lobbied the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) to support House language maintaining a moratorium on Office of Management and Budget (OMB) A-76 privatization studies at the Department of Defense (DoD); also urged HASC and SASC leadership to accept House language allowing the completion of the statutorily required DoD service contractor inventory--something that Army has done and should be followed by the rest of DoD; and to reject these two provisions in the Senate NDAA. Lobbied on HR 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act, Federal employees may not be placed on administrative leave for more than 14 days during any year for misconduct, poor performance, or other purposes; and HR 4360, Official Personnel File Enhancement Act, Lobbied against HR 1658, Federal Employee Accountability Act of 2015. Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status. Lobbied on behalf of federal employees who work at the Selfridge Air National Guard (ANGB) in Harrison Township, Michigan, for help regarding drastic personnel cuts announced by the military leadership at Selfridge ANGB.

FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP with potential to benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future.

FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2017 Budget Resolution - lobbied against House Budget Committee Chairman Price's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 270). Lobbied against Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi's FY 2017 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res). Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary toward retirement, continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions for funding Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. Provisions to halt reduction of the Federal Protective Service workforce. Continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer full time equivalents (FTEs). FY 2017 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2017 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing continuing backlog of disability claims. FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. Lobbied for a continuation of the existing government-wide prohibition on conducting new, or finishing old, A-76 studies. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - Lobbied for the Recidivism Risk Reduction Act (HR 759); the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S 2123); and the Smarter Sentencing Act (S 502 and HR 920). Lobbied for appropriate implementation and oversight of FY 2016 appropriations language mandating the Bureau provide a second officer in all high security housing units for all three shifts. Lobbied to bring more attention to the needs of Federal Prison Industries (FPI). Lobbied for the inclusion of language into the CJS report that would direct BOP to provide secure, on-site firearm storage lockers where employees can store their personal firearm. Continued to ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. Interfaced with House/Senate offices to generate interest on safety concerns that arise due to BOP not having a full-time permanent Director. Interfaced with House/Senate offices to generate interest on Federal Prison Industries recent decisions to close factories. Continued lobbying efforts against amendments having a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2017 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations - reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing. FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employees jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of an increase in the level of spending for the operations of the Social Security system--full funding level requested in the President's FY 2017 Budget Request. Lobbied that in the upcoming FY 17 omnibus negotiations, the conferees accept the House-passed funding level for the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)of $26,631,000.

FY 2017 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees.

Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. Lobbied against the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) VA bonus provisions because of the extremely unfair and arbitrary pay-for provisions. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958/HR 5099, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. HR 5620, lobbied against decreasing accountability at the VA that would severely undermine the rights of VA employees. Specifically, Amendment No. 1 by Rep Miller and Amendment No. 22 by Rep Lance. S 290, lobbied against Moran Amendment, which would allow recoupment of pension already earned by VA front line clinicians convicted of felonies based on conduct or performance, including physicians, dentists, RNs, and PAs. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. HR 4150, Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act as originally drafted. Lobbied against the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to HR 4150, which would prohibit the payment of physician assistant (PA) overtime under certain conditions and mandate unreasonable schedules for VA physicians. HR 5083, VA Appeals Modernization Act, that would ensure greater fairness and timeliness in the appeal process. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28,2016 as Federal Nurses Week.

FY 2017 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Section 8012--lobbied in opposition to any efforts to remove the language contained in Section 8012 of the House-passed Department of Defense Appropriations Act for 2017 Act. Section 820--Lobbied to ensure the Senate recede on Section 820 and adopt the House-passed approach on the inventory for contractor services. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, lobbied the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) to support House language maintaining a moratorium on Office of Management and Budget (OMB) A-76 privatization studies at the Department of Defense (DoD); also urged HASC and SASC leadership to accept House language allowing the completion of the statutorily required DoD service contractor inventory--something that Army has done and should be followed by the rest of DoD; and to reject these two provisions in the Senate NDAA. Lobbied on HR 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act, Federal employees may not be placed on administrative leave for more than 14 days during any year for misconduct, poor performance, or other purposes; and HR 4360, Official Personnel File Enhancement Act, Lobbied against HR 1658, Federal Employee Accountability Act of 2015. Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status. Lobbied on behalf of federal employees who work at the Selfridge Air National Guard (ANGB) in Harrison Township, Michigan, for help regarding drastic personnel cuts announced by the military leadership at Selfridge ANGB.

FY 2017 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to ensure the integrity of the grain inspection process.

FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff; BOP funding.

2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), HR 4488, Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016; removal of TSA screener cap; and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for: HR 5340, Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration Act (FASTER)that returns all proceeds of all security fees to TSA. HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap for remaining FY 16. HR 3523, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants TSOs public safety officer death and injury benefits if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz urging granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Letter urging support for soon to be introduced bill, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act (SATSA) to address these concerns. HRes 818 FAA Reauthorization Extension Act, provides 14-month extension for FAA Authorization; includes no privatization of FAA Air Traffic Control functions and broader distribution of TSA's staffing allocation model. HR 636, FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act, applies Wounded Warrior Leave act to TSA and FAA.

FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2017 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems. AFGE continues to work with a coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter that will eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish product.

FY 2017 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, lobbied the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) to support House language maintaining a moratorium on Office of Management and Budget (OMB) A-76 privatization studies at the Department of Defense (DoD); also urged HASC and SASC leadership to accept House language allowing the completion of the statutorily required DoD service contractor inventory--something that Army has done and should be followed by the rest of DoD; and to reject these two provisions in the Senate NDAA. Lobbied on HR 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act, Federal employees may not be placed on administrative leave for more than 14 days during any year for misconduct, poor performance, or other purposes; and HR 4360, Official Personnel File Enhancement Act, Lobbied against HR 1658, Federal Employee Accountability Act of 2015. Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status. Lobbied on behalf of federal employees who work at the Selfridge Air National Guard (ANGB) in Harrison Township, Michigan, for help regarding drastic personnel cuts announced by the military leadership at Selfridge ANGB.

FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to ensure the integrity of the grain inspection process.

Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. Lobbied against the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) VA bonus provisions because of the extremely unfair and arbitrary pay-for provisions. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958/HR 5099, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. HR 5620, lobbied against decreasing accountability at the VA that would severely undermine the rights of VA employees. Specifically, Amendment No. 1 by Rep Miller and Amendment No. 22 by Rep Lance. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. HR 4150, Department of Veterans Affairs Emergency Medical Staffing Recruitment and Retention Act as originally drafted. Lobbied against the Amendment in the Nature of a Substitute to HR 4150, which would prohibit the payment of physician assistant (PA) overtime under certain conditions. HR 5083, VA Appeals Modernization Act, that would ensure greater fairness and timeliness in the appeal process. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28,2016 as Federal Nurses Week.

FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), HR 4488, Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016; removal of TSA screener cap; and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for: HR 5340, Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration Act (FASTER)that returns all proceeds of all security fees to TSA. HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap for remaining FY 16. HR 3523, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants TSOs public safety officer death and injury benefits if killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. HRes 818 FAA Reauthorization Extension Act, provides 14-month extension for FAA Authorization; includes no privatization of FAA Air Traffic Control functions and broader distribution of TSA's staffing allocation model. HR 636, FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act, applies Wounded Warrior Leave act to TSA and FAA.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP with potential to benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future.

FY 2017 THUD Appropriations; Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations; Energy and Water Appropriations; Financial Services Appropriations; and Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers. Lobbied against changes to the G Fund in the federal Government Thrift Savings Plan, specifically any attempts to lower the interest rate, to be used as a funding source to pay for the Highway bill. Lobbied against HR 4461, the Federal Employee Rights Act, which provides that agencies may not deduct labor organization dues from the pay of Federal employees, and for other purposes. Lobbied against S 2975 and HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016. Lobbied against HR 6094, Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act, to delay implementation of the Department of Labor's new overtime regulations by six months. Lobbied in support of the Back the Blue Act, legislation that provides meaningful solutions to keep our law enforcement officers safe while on the the job.

FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2017 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2017 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff; BOP funding.

FY 2017 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees.

FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff; BOP funding.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP with potential to benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), HR 4488, Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016; removal of TSA screener cap; and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits. Lobbied for: HR 5340, Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration Act (FASTER)that returns all proceeds of all security fees to TSA. HR 5534, TSA Workforce Flexibility Act, to remove statutory TSA screener cap for remaining FY 16. HR 3523, Honoring our Fallen TSA Officers Act, grants TSOs public safety officer death and injury benefits if killed or injured in the line of duty. HRes 818 FAA Reauthorization Extension Act, provides 14-month extension for FAA Authorization; includes no privatization of FAA Air Traffic Control functions and broader distribution of TSA's staffing allocation model. HR 636, FAA Extension, Safety, and Security Act, applies Wounded Warrior Leave act to TSA and FAA.

FY 2017 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, lobbied on Civil Service and performance management: to strike Senate sections 1101, 1102, and 1103 (S 1376), but to include House section 906; include House section 603; on Sourcing: include House section 863; include House section 321; and include House section 907; on Depots and Arsenals: include House section 804(c); include House section 325; include House section 1421; and include House section 905(f); on Acquisition Reform: include House section 835; include House section 822(j); and include Senate section 841(d). Lobbied on HR 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act, Federal employees may not be placed on administrative leave for more than 14 days during any year for misconduct, poor performance, or other purposes; and HR 4360, Official Personnel File Enhancement Act, Lobbied againstHR 1658,Federal Employee Accountability Act of 2015. Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

FY 2017 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied against HR 1890, the Fast Track 2015 legislation. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied on the inclusion of special political preferences in the federal procurement process to reward certain contractors for their labor-friendliness (High Road). Lobbied in support of HR 3523, Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act, so that Transportation Security Officers are eligible to receive public safety officers' death benefits. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems. AFGE continues to work with a coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) proposed rule on hog slaughter that will eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to hog company employees. Lobbied against taking up S.J.Res. 28, a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval of the final FSIS rule establishing a mandatory inspection program for "all fish of the order Siluriformes," including catfish and its products, because of the public health threat posed by importation of adulterated catfish product.

Lobbied against S 2646, the Veterans Choice Improvement Act, and S 2633, the Improving Veterans Access to Care in the Community Act, and urged oversight of the problems veterans face with the current Choice program. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 114,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Lobbied against: S 2958, a bill to establish a pilot program on partnership agreements to construct new facilities for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Discussion draft on VA comp and pen exams that changes standard of evidence. S. 2896, Care Veterans Deserve Act, a bill proposing to make VA Choice program permanent. HR 4138 - a bill to allow recoupment of reimbursements for VA work expenses. Rep McMorris Rodgers discussion draft, Caring for our Heroes in the 21st Century Act, to dismantle and privatize the VA health care system. S 2049 - Raised concerns in hearing statement regarding continuing medical education program for VA providers. Lobbied for: S. 2921, Veterans First Act, to protect due process rights of VA employees and expand health care and benefits for veterans. S 2946, a bill to extend law enforcement status to federal employees in VA, DOD, and other agencies. Lobbied to support and add more agencies. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to ensure the integrity of the grain inspection process.

FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2017 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2017 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP with potential to benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2017 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2017 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, lobbied on Civil Service and performance management: to strike Senate sections 1101, 1102, and 1103 (S 1376), but to include House section 906; include House section 602; on Sourcing: include House section 863; include House section 321; and include House section 907; on Depots and Arsenals: include House section 804(c); include House section 325; include House section 1421; and include House section 905(f); on Acquisition Reform: include House section 835; include House section 822(j); and include Senate section 841(d). Lobbied on HR 4359, the Administrative Leave Reform Act, Federal employees may not be placed on administrative leave for more than 14 days during any year for misconduct, poor performance, or other purposes; and HR 4360, Official Personnel File Enhancement Act, Lobbied in support of HR 1658,Federal Employee Accountability Act of 2015. Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff; BOP funding.

FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2017 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees.

2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), HR 4488, Rights for Transportation Security Officers Act of 2016; removal of TSA screener cap; and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits.

FY 2017 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on possible bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied against HR 1890, the Fast Track 2015 legislation. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied on the inclusion of special political preferences in the federal procurement process to reward certain contractors for their labor-friendliness (High Road). Lobbied in support of HR 3523, Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act, so that Transportation Security Officers are eligible to receive public safety officers' death benefits.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to ensure the integrity of the grain inspection process.

FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act (EINSTEIN America Act - continued lobbying against Section 122 that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the Department of Energy's award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned, government-operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2017 THUD Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers. Lobbied against changes to the G Fund in the federal Government Thrift Savings Plan, specifically any attempts to lower the interest rate, to be used as a funding source to pay for the Highway bill. Lobbied against HR 4461, the Federal Employee Rights Act, which provides that agencies may not deduct labor organization dues from the pay of Federal employees, and for other purposes.

FY 2017 Budget Resolution - lobbied against House Budget Committee Chairman Price's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 270). Lobbied against Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi's FY 2017 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res). Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary toward retirement, continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2017 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions for funding Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. Provisions to halt reduction of the Federal Protective Service workforce. Continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. Lobbied for funding to increase number of Transportation Security Officer full time equivalents (FTEs). FY 2017 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. FY 2017 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2017 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing continuing backlog of disability claims. FY 2017 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. FY 2017 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - Lobbied for the passage and adoption of the Eric Williams Correctional Officer Protection Act (S 238). Lobbied for the Recidivism Risk Reduction Act (HR 759); the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act (S 2123); and the Smarter Sentencing Act (S 502 and HR 920). Lobbied for appropriate implementation and oversight of FY 2016 appropriations language mandating the Bureau provide a second officer in all high security housing units for all three shifts. Lobbied to bring more attention to the needs of Federal Prison Industries (FPI). Continued lobbying efforts for adequate funding of the Building and Facilities account for modernization and repair of existing BOP institutions. Continue to ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. Continued lobbying efforts against amendments having a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2017 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations - reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing. FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employees jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2017 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of the "Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2015" to amend recent major cuts to federal employee pensions and to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied on the impact the budget agreement has on pension cuts for middle income federal workers and those hired before 2013.

FY 2017 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems. AFGE began work with a coalition of labor and consumer groups to oppose the Food Safety and Inspection Services' (FSIS) soon-to-be proposed rule on hog slaughter that will eliminate hundreds of FSIS online inspector positions and transfer their responsibilities to hog company employees.

FY 2016 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees. Lobbied against provisions of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Reform bill that adversely affect Voice of America employees. Lobbied against HR 1890, Fast Tract 2015 legislation.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems.

FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to privatize weighing and inspection of grain performed by federal employees.

FY 2016 THUD Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Oppose possible efforts to privatize the FAA. Lobbied on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP the could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2016 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2016 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on possible bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform. Lobbied in support of HR 304, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 3.8% pay raise in 2016. Lobbied against HR 1890, the Fast Track 2015 legislation. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied against HR 1563, the Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2015, individuals with delinquent tax debts would not be subject to termination and ineligible for federal employment. Lobbied on the inclusion of special political preferences in the federal procurement process to reward certain contractors for their labor-friendliness (High Road).

FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act (EINSTEIN America Act - lobbied against Section 122 that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the Department of Energy's award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned, government-operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2016 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, HR 1735, lobbied on Civil Service and performance management: to strike Senate sections 1101, 1102, and 1103 (S 1376), but to include House section 906; include House section 602; on Sourcing: include House section 863; include House section 321; and include House section 907; on Depots and Arsenals: include House section 804(c); include House section 325; include House section 1421; and include House section 905(f); on Acquisition Reform: include House section 835; include House section 822(j); and include Senate section 841(d). Lobbied in support of Casey-Murkowski Amendment (SA 1967)on readiness that non-military essential functions are not arbitrarily shifted from civilian personnel and service contractors to military personnel. Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

FY 2016 Budget Resolution - lobbied against House Budget Committee Chairman Price's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 270). Lobbied against Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res). Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary toward retirement, continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions for funding Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. Provisions to halt reduction of the Federal Protective Service workforce. Continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. FY 2016 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2016 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing continuing backlog of disability claims. FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. Continue provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" relating to prison inmate overcrowding, correctional understaffing, and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the necessity to improve safety and security at all BOP institutions. Lobbied for Eric Williams Correctional Officers Protection Act of 2015 (S 238/HR 472) and continued lobbying efforts on Smarter Sentencing Act of 2015 (HR 920/S 502). Continued lobbying efforts for adequate funding of the Building and Facilities account for modernization and repair of existing BOP institutions, including delays in construction of the new female prison inmate facility at the FCI Danbury, CT. Continue to ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. Continued lobbying efforts against amendments having a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations - reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing. FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employees jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 16 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of the "Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2015" to amend recent major cuts to federal employee pensions and to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied on the impact the budget agreement has on pension cuts for middle income federal workers and those hired before 2013.

Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees in anticipation of additional furloughs. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 100,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Lobbied against HR 3595, to prevent damaging the rank and file resulting in a devastating effect on the quality of care for veterans. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.

FY 2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2016 Budget Resolution - lobbied against House Budget Committee Chairman Price's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 270). Lobbied against Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res). Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary toward retirement, continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions for funding Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. Provisions to halt reduction of the Federal Protective Service workforce. Continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. FY 2016 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2016 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing continuing backlog of disability claims. FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. Continue provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" relating to prison inmate overcrowding, correctional understaffing, and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the necessity to improve safety and security at all BOP institutions. Lobbied for Eric Williams Correctional Officers Protection Act of 2015 (S 238/HR 472) and continued lobbying efforts on Smarter Sentencing Act of 2015 (HR 920/S 502). Continued lobbying efforts for adequate funding of the Building and Facilities account for modernization and repair of existing BOP institutions. Continue to ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. Continued lobbying efforts against amendments having a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations - reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing. FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employees jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 16 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of the "Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2015" to amend recent major cuts to federal employee pensions and to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied on the impact the budget agreement has on pension cuts for middle income federal workers and those hired before 2013. Lobbied against reductions in and/or furloughs of the Forest Service's (FS) federal employee workforce in its Job Corps Centers due to Department of Labor's reducing its allocation to the FS by almost $16,000,000.

FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2016 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2016 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on possible bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform. Lobbied in support of HR 304, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 3.8% pay raise in 2016. Lobbied against HR 1890, the Fast Track 2015 legislation. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied against HR 22, Section 52106, of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2015, requiring the Treasury Department to contract with private collection agencies to collect past due federal taxes to offset costs of a six-year extension of the Highway Trust Fund. Lobbied on the inclusion of special political preferences in the federal procurement process to reward certain contractors for their labor-friendliness (High Road).

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP with potential to benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to ensure the integrity of the grain inspection process.

FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act (EINSTEIN America Act - continued lobbying against Section 122 that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the Department of Energy's award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned, government-operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2016 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, lobbied on Civil Service and performance management: to strike Senate sections 1101, 1102, and 1103 (S 1376), but to include House section 906; include House section 602; on Sourcing: include House section 863; include House section 321; and include House section 907; on Depots and Arsenals: include House section 804(c); include House section 325; include House section 1421; and include House section 905(f); on Acquisition Reform: include House section 835; include House section 822(j); and include Senate section 841(d). Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

FY 2016 THUD Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers. Lobbied against changes to the G Fund in the federal Government Thrift Savings Plan, specifically any attempts to lower the interest rate, to be used as a funding source to pay for the Highway bill. Lobbied in support of HR 1531, the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, allowing temporary seasonal employees working within federal land management agencies to compete for positions under merit promotion procedures.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to ensure the integrity of the grain inspection process.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP with potential to benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff.

2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), removal of TSA screener cap, and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits.

FY 2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2016 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees.

Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees in anticipation of additional furloughs. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - continued lobbying for veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Continued lobbying against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 100,000 veterans in VA workforce. Lobbied for HR 2999, Takano bill, to ensure accountability measures to reduce mismanagement while protecting whistleblowers and other employees harmed by retaliation or other prohibited personnel practices. Lobbied for S 1856, establishing highly effective mechanisms for increasing VA accountability while preserving due process rights of whistleblowers. Assures comprehensive accountability to improve management training and performance measures and curtails revolving door problem in VA. Lobbied against S 1082 and its reduction of accountability by stripping due process rights away from non-management VA employee, including VA whistleblowers and veterans. Supported Substitute Amendment by Sen Blumenthal. Lobbied against HR 3595, to prevent damaging the rank and file resulting in a devastating effect on the quality of care for veterans. Supported S 1450, legislation to increase veterans access to care, improve efficiency, and aid in recruitment and retention of health care professionals by providing scheduling flexibility for emergency medicine physicians and physician assistants and hospitalists. Supported legislation for a reduction in the workload of Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (VR&E) employees working in the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), specifically those who process traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder, and VR&E claims. Continued lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower; --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.

FY 2016 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on possible bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform. Lobbied in support of HR 304, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 3.8% pay raise in 2016. Lobbied against HR 1890, the Fast Track 2015 legislation. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied against HR 22, Section 52106, of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2015, requiring the Treasury Department to contract with private collection agencies to collect past due federal taxes to offset costs of a six-year extension of the Highway Trust Fund. Lobbied on the inclusion of special political preferences in the federal procurement process to reward certain contractors for their labor-friendliness (High Road).

FY 2016 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, lobbied on Civil Service and performance management: to strike Senate sections 1101, 1102, and 1103 (S 1376), but to include House section 906; include House section 602; on Sourcing: include House section 863; include House section 321; and include House section 907; on Depots and Arsenals: include House section 804(c); include House section 325; include House section 1421; and include House section 905(f); on Acquisition Reform: include House section 835; include House section 822(j); and include Senate section 841(d). Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

FY 2016 THUD Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Continued to lobby on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers. Lobbied against changes to the G Fund in the federal Government Thrift Savings Plan, specifically any attempts to lower the interest rate, to be used as a funding source to pay for the Highway bill. Lobbied in support of HR 1531, the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, allowing temporary seasonal employees working within federal land management agencies to compete for positions under merit promotion procedures.

FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act (EINSTEIN America Act - continued lobbying against Section 122 that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the Department of Energy's award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned, government-operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2016 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act (EINSTEIN America Act - lobbied against Section 122 that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the Department of Energy's award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned, government-operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. Lobbied against efforts to cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to ensure the integrity of the grain inspection process.

FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2016 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2016 Budget Resolution - lobbied against House Budget Committee Chairman Price's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 270). Lobbied against Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res). Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary toward retirement, continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions for funding Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. Provisions to halt reduction of the Federal Protective Service workforce. Continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. FY 2016 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2016 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing continuing backlog of disability claims. FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. Continue provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" relating to prison inmate overcrowding, correctional understaffing, and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the necessity to improve safety and security at all BOP institutions. Lobbied for Eric Williams Correctional Officers Protection Act of 2015 (S 238/HR 472) and continued lobbying efforts on Smarter Sentencing Act of 2015 (HR 920/S 502). Continued lobbying efforts for adequate funding of the Building and Facilities account for modernization and repair of existing BOP institutions, including delays in construction of the new female prison inmate facility at the FCI Danbury, CT. Continue to ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. Continued lobbying efforts against amendments having a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations - reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing. FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employees jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 16 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of the "Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2015" to amend recent major cuts to federal employee pensions and to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied on the impact the budget agreement has on pension cuts for middle income federal workers and those hired before 2013. Lobbied against reductions in and/or furloughs of the Forest Service's (FS) federal employee workforce in its Job Corps Centers due to Department of Labor's reducing its allocation to the FS by almost $16,000,000.

FY 2016 THUD Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Lobbied on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers. Lobbied against changes to the G Fund in the federal Government Thrift Savings Plan, specifically any attempts to lower the interest rate, to be used as a funding source to pay for the Highway bill. Lobbied in support of HR 1531, the Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act, allowing temporary seasonal employees working within federal land management agencies to compete for positions under merit promotion procedures.

2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), removal of TSA screener cap, and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP the could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2016 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees. Lobbied against provisions of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Reform bill that adversely affect Voice of America employees. Lobbied against HR 1890, Fast Track 2015 legislation.

FY 2016 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on possible bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform. Lobbied in support of HR 304, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 3.8% pay raise in 2016. Lobbied against HR 1890, the Fast Track 2015 legislation. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied against HR 22, Section 52106, of the Federal Public Transportation Act of 2015, requiring the Treasury Department to contract with private collection agencies to collect past due federal taxes to offset costs of a six-year extension of the Highway Trust Fund. Lobbied on the inclusion of special political preferences in the federal procurement process to reward certain contractors for their labor-friendliness (High Road).

FY 2016 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, HR 1735, lobbied on Civil Service and performance management: to strike Senate sections 1101, 1102, and 1103 (S 1376), but to include House section 906; include House section 602; on Sourcing: include House section 863; include House section 321; and include House section 907; on Depots and Arsenals: include House section 804(c); include House section 325; include House section 1421; and include House section 905(f); on Acquisition Reform: include House section 835; include House section 822(j); and include Senate section 841(d). Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems.

FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff.

FY 2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), removal of TSA screener cap, and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits.

FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff.

FY 2016 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. FY 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, HR 1735, lobbied on Civil Service and performance management: to strike Senate sections 1101, 1102, and 1103 (S 1376), but to include House section 906; include House section 602; on Sourcing: include House section 863; include House section 321; and include House section 907; on Depots and Arsenals: include House section 804(c); include House section 325; include House section 1421; and include House section 905(f); on Acquisition Reform: include House section 835; include House section 822(j); and include Senate section 841(d). Lobbied in support of Casey-Murkowski Amendment (SA 1967)on readiness that non-military essential functions are not arbitrarily shifted from civilian personnel and service contractors to military personnel. Lobbied in support of HR 1597, Agile Acquisition to Retain Technological Edge Act. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems.

FY 2016 THUD Appropriations - lobbying in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill. Oppose possible efforts to privatize the FAA. Lobbied on SSA's Vision 2025 Report and its impact on SSA Field Offices that account for 50 per cent of SSA employees. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers.

FY 2016 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees. Lobbied against provisions of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Reform bill that adversely affect Voice of America employees. Lobbied against HR 1890, Fast Tract 2015 legislation.

FY 2016 Budget Resolution - lobbied against House Budget Committee Chairman Price's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 270). Lobbied against Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res). Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary toward retirement, continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions for funding Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. Provisions to halt reduction of the Federal Protective Service workforce. Continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. FY 2016 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2016 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing continuing backlog of disability claims. FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. Continue provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" relating to prison inmate overcrowding, correctional understaffing, and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the necessity to improve safety and security at all BOP institutions. Lobbied for Eric Williams Correctional Officers Protection Act of 2015 (S 238/HR 472) and continued lobbying efforts on Smarter Sentencing Act of 2015 (HR 920/S 502). Continued lobbying efforts for adequate funding of the Building and Facilities account for modernization and repair of existing BOP institutions, including delays in construction of the new female prison inmate facility at the FCI Danbury, CT. Continue to ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. Continued lobbying efforts against amendments having a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations - reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing. FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employees jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 16 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of the "Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2015" to amend recent major cuts to federal employee pensions and to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied on the impact the budget agreement has on pension cuts for middle income federal workers and those hired before 2013.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP the could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2016 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on possible bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform. Lobbied in support of HR 304, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 3.8% pay raise in 2016. Lobbied against HR 1890, the Fast Track 2015 legislation. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied against HR 1563, the Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2015, individuals with delinquent tax debts would not be subject to termination and ineligible for federal employment. Lobbied on the inclusion of special political preferences in the federal procurement process to reward certain contractors for their labor-friendliness (High Road).

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Continued lobbying on legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in efforts to privatize weighing and inspection of grain performed by federal employees.

Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees in anticipation of additional furloughs. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - lobbied to ensure veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Lobbied against HR 1994 that strips every non-management VA employee of due process rights, including 100,000 veterans in VA workforce. Supported Takano Substitute for Wenstrup's ANS to destroy civil service protections and VA ability to recruit and retain a top notch workforce. Lobbied against HR 1038, Ensuring VA Employee Accountability Act, would keep reprimands in personnel file throughout VA employment Lobbied on HR 571,whistleblower bill. Lobbied on appropriations bill with language to prohibit pay increase for VA employees at Secretary's discretion. Lobbied on S 1203, Sections 205, 206, and 210 to resolve VA backlog of disability claims. Continue lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights and whistleblower rights (Hice Amendment); --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.

FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2016 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), removal of TSA screener cap, and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits.

FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2016 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems.

FY 2016 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied for opposition to amendment 797 to S.Con.Res.11 that would promote reductions in civilian employees in headquarters, but not to service contractors. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

FY 2016 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on provisions dealing with contracting out and A-76 process. Budget reconciliation regarding the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Lobbied on enforcement of DC and federal law and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of public worker jobs to private contractors.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP the could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Lobbied in opposition of legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in any efforts to revisit privatizing grain inspection.

Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees in anticipation of additional furloughs. Lobbied on Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution to fund benefits paid to veterans and personnel costs for processing disability payments, GI Bill, education training, and VA home loans. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - lobbied to ensure veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Lobbied against HR 280 that would allow recoupment of VA bonuses and awards. Lobbied against some provisions in the Veterans Affairs Retaliation Prevention Act of 2015 (HR 571) to change VA whistleblower protection enforcement scheme and assess attorney's fee against retaliators. Continue lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights; --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.

FY 2016 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on possible bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform. HR 304, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 3.8% pay raise in 2016.

FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff.

FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act (EINSTEIN America Act - lobbied against Section 122 that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the Department of Energy's award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned, government-operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. Lobbied against Blumenauer and Swalwell amendments to that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL. HR 3080, Water Resources Development Act - lobbied against Young/Petri amendment that would prevent the Corps of Engineers (CoE) from using lower-cost, higher-performing alternatives to contractors for surveying and mapping functions.

FY 2016 Budget Resolution - lobbied against House Budget Committee Chairman Price's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 270). Lobbied against Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi's FY 2016 Budget Resolution (S. Con. Res). Lobbied on provisions to increase the Department of Veterans' Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time. Lobbied against negative impact on federal employees' retirement by requiring workers pay additional salary toward retirement, continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs, and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions for funding Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration. Provisions to halt reduction of the Federal Protective Service workforce. Continued retention of prohibitions against the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. FY 2016 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and contracting out. FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, and working conditions of federal employee jobs. FY 2016 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing continuing backlog of disability claims. FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process more fair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a more reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC. Continue provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" relating to prison inmate overcrowding, correctional understaffing, and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the necessity to improve safety and security at all BOP institutions. Lobbied for Eric Williams Correctional Officers Protection Act of 2015 (S 238/HR 472) and continued lobbying efforts on Smarter Sentencing Act of 2015 (HR 920/S 502). Continued lobbying efforts for adequate funding of the Building and Facilities account for modernization and repair of existing BOP institutions, including delays in construction of the new female prison inmate facility at the FCI Danbury, CT. Continue to ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. Continued lobbying efforts against amendments having a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2016 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations - reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing. FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employees jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 16 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against amendments that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Lobbied in support of the "Federal Employee Pension Fairness Act of 2015" to amend recent major cuts to federal employee pensions and to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied on the impact the budget agreement has on pension cuts for middle income federal workers and those hired before 2013.

FY 2016 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees. Lobbied against provisions of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Reform bill that adversely affect Voice of America employees.

FY 2016 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, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on possible bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform. HR 304, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 3.8% pay raise in 2016.

FY 2016 THUD Appropriations - lobbying on Gingrey amendment in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill (Transportation, HUD, Merchant Marine Academy, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and National Transportation Safety Board. Oppose possible efforts to privatize the FAA. Lobbied for Schumer legislation to address Social Security Administration field office closings that would lead to vital service reductions (its Vision 2025 report). Lobbied against plan to go to an exclusively on-line system for the public to get help instead of talking to a qualified, trained staff person. Raised these concerns during Acting Commissions Carolyn Colvin's nomination hearing. The Paycheck Fairness Act, S 862/HR 1619 - lobbied in support of its intention to prohibit sex discrimination in the payment of wages. Lobbied for the introduction of the Pregnant Worker Fairness Act to require employers to provide the same accommodations to pregnant workers as those provided to temporarily disabled workers.

FY 2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, safety, and job security of DHS employees and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2016 Financial Services Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. FY 2016 Transportation, HUD, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act - continue lobbying against funds being used by HUD to relocate any multi-family housing asset management position as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2016 Foreign Operations Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees. Lobbied against provisions of the Broadcasting Board of Governors (BBG) Reform bill that adversely affect Voice of America employees.

FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Lobby against adverse effects of FSIS final chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection. Lobbied in opposition of legislation to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act in any efforts to revisit privatizing grain inspection.

FY 2016 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act (EINSTEIN America Act, - lobbied against Section 122 that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the Department of Energy's award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned and government operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. Lobbied against Blumenauer and Swalwell amendments to that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL. HR 3080, Water Resources Development Act - lobbied against Young/Petri amendment that would prevent the Corps of Engineers (CoE) from using lower-cost, higher-performing alternatives to contractors for surveying and mapping functions.

FY 2016 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - lobbied on provisions regarding contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Lobbied on civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenal, and organic facilities. Lobbied to include more favorable language on direct conversions. Lobbied for opposition to amendment 797 to S.Con.Res.11 that would promote reductions in civilian employees in headquarters, but not to service contractors. Lobbied to reject DoD's recommendations to slash funding for the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) and the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission to merge DeCA with the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and then convert DeCA employees to non-appropriated fund (NAF) status.

FY 2016 Agriculture Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand the program of putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Continued lobbying against adverse effects of the final rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, on slaughter inspection. Lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system, reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors, and permitting faster line speeds than are traditionally allowed under inspection systems.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP the could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of the cost burden on federal employees and retirees. Lobbied to ensure any proposed legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2016 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - lobbied on reorganization plan that would compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination. Lobbied against efforts to privatize the NASA workforce and lobbied against ending the moratorium on NASA layoff.

Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees in anticipation of additional furloughs. Lobbied on Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution to fund benefits paid to veterans and personnel costs for processing disability payments, GI Bill, education training, and VA home loans. HR 313, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015 - lobbied to ensure veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Lobbied for reintroduction of nurse staffing legislation. Lobbied against HR 280 that would allow recoupment of VA bonuses and awards. Lobbied against some provisions in the Veterans Affairs Retaliation Prevention Act of 2015 (HR 571) to change VA whistleblower protection enforcement scheme and assess attorney's fee against retaliators. Continue lobbying efforts to: --Provide and expand Title 38 bargaining rights; --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.

2016 Homeland Security Appropriations - lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Federal Protective Service, and Transportation Security Administration. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for (TSOs), removal of TSA screener cap, and increased funding for screen personnel, compensation, and benefits.

FY 2015 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation; and contractor compensation caps.HR 3278 and S 1809, bills to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsors for both bills. S 1276 -- Security Clearance Oversight and Reform Enhancement Act (SCORE) providing oversight on use of funds OPM uses to fund security clearance background investigations and requirement that OPM fire any federal worker who engaged in misconduct while conducting background investigations with no appeal rights. S 47 - Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - provisions aimed to reduce funding levels and lessen protections for victims of domestic violence. S 1486, Postal Reform Act of 2014, lobbied in support of Tester Amendment #2, to strike Title V of S 1486, the title relating to FECA; and Tester Amendment #3, to apply the Title V changes to FECA only to federal employees hired after the date of enactment of S 1486. HR 4306, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act - to provide both General Schedule and wage-grade federal employees a 3.3% pay raise in 2015. HR 2450, the Locality Pay Equity Act - to prohibit OPM from defining more than one local wage area for prevailing rate (blue collar) employees within a General Schedule pay locality. HR 4964, the Senior Access to Social Security Act of 2014 - lobbied in support of Social Security Administration continuing to provide Social Security number print outs and continue to provide benefit verification forms. H. Res 97, lobbied that the government should preserve paper-based services for millions of Americans who cannot access technology or don't like it, thereby preserving the right of Americans to receive paper information and services unless they choose the digital option. HR 3997, SSA Accountability Act of 2014, lobbied to keep the SSA field offices and trained in-person staff available to respond to the needs of beneficiaries and not having to go online as the only means of service. HR 3382, the Smarter Sentencing Act of 2014 - lobbied to curb the explosive growth of the BOP prison population by helping to reduce lengthy sentences for those convicted of non-violent drug offenses thereby making it safer and more secure workplace. HR 5106, lobbied against Meadows Amendment to prohibit payroll deduction of union dues for federal employees who are already members. Letter to Senate in support of the nomination of Carolyn Colvin as Commissioner of Social Security Administration.

FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risk. Funding cut of meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand that inspection program putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination.Continued lobbying against proposed Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection--slaughter inspection rule. Additionally, lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system; reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors; and permitting faster line speeds than are allowed under the traditional inspection systems.

FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. HR 4745, FY 2015 Transportation, HUD, and Related agencies Appropriations Act - Waters Amendment - lobbied that no fundsmay be used by HUD to relocate any Multi-Family Housing asset management positions as part of its reorganization plan.

Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees during in anticipation of furloughs. Lobbied on Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution to fund benefits paid to veterans and personnel costs for processing disability payments, GI Bill, education training, and VA home loans.HR 813/S 932 - to extend advance appropriations to benefits, cemeteries, and other VA operations to further stabilize VA operations and staffing. Incorporate into S 1950 and S 1982. HR 1907 - the Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2013. HR 2785 - to extend veterans' preference rights to over 80,000 VA health care employees (both HR 2785 and S 1320). S 928, Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2013 - lobbying to establish a working group to improve work credit and work management systems of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and mandate of additional help to veterans to secure federal records. S932, Putting Veterans Funding First Act. to ensure more stable funding by extending advance appropriations to the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA), National Cemetery Administration (NCA), and other VA programs, services, and benefits. Lobbied for HR 3230/S 2450, Veterans' Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014, in particular emergency funding for the VA. These bills provide a comprehensive, balanced, and evidence-based approach to improving health care access to our veterans and ensure fair evaluation of VA frontline physicians' performance and the critical emergency funding necessary. HR 4399, Comprehensive Department of Veterans' Affairs Performance Management and Accountability Reform Act of 2014 - lobbied against its drastic changes to market pay and performance pay elements that would adversely affect recruitment and retention of front-line clinicians providing direct care to our veterans. HR 4810, the Veterans Access to Care Act of 2014, specifically, lobbied against the portion requiring VA utilize a single approach to expanding access by allowing contractors to handle inpatient and outpatient veterans' care. Also against provisions to ban all bonuses and awards to VA employees. Lobbied for S 1556/HR 4580, Improving Clinical Care Workforce for Our Vets - provisions restoring equal bargaining rights, significantly strengthening VA's ability to recruit and retain health care professionals, and cutting down on turnover and contract care costs. HR 5229, the Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2015, to ensure veterans with a service connected disability rating of 30 percent or more with 104 hours of "disabled veteran leave (leave)" at the beginning of their employment. Continue lobbying efforts on legislation to: --Provide and expand title 38 bargaining rights; --Provide emergency funding for VA health care. --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Mandate a new work credit system for VBA employees based on a data driven time motion study. --Issue a moratorium on VA spending on any downgrades of employees before a study can be done to determine the impact on protected EEO classes. --Introduction of a resolution designating September 22-28 as Federal Nurses Week.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP that could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of cost burden on federal employees and retirees. And to ensure any legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out and staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration.HR 4026, Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers, a bill granting public safety officer status to Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) who die in the line of duty. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for TSOs.

FY 2015 THUD Appropriations - lobbying on Gingrey (GA) amendment in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill (Transportation, HUD, Merchant Marine Academy, FAA, and NTSB).S 815, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA), lobbied for extension of worker protections against discrimination to all workers. This would include hiring, firing, and other personnel actions based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability. This would also include sexual orientation or gender identity. HR 3474 portion of tax extenders package, Toomey (PA) amendment to restore tax fairness to certain BOP correctional officers by providing an exemption from the 10% penalty tax on early distributions from Thrift Saving Plan fund for BOP correctional officers who retire before age 55. Lobbied for Schumer legislation to address Social Security Administration field office closings leading to vital service reductions as outlined in its Vision 2025 report. Plan to go to an exclusively on-line system for the public to get help instead of talking directly to a qualified, trained staff. Raised these concerns for discussion during Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin's nomination hearing.

FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security of DHS employees, and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2015 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time.FY 2015 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs. Lobbied against H. Con. Res. 96 that would negatively impact federal employees' retirement by workers paying additional 5.5% of salary toward retirement; working conditions by replacing one employee for every three who leave; elimination of student loan reimbursements; continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. Retention of longstanding prohibitions against the use of the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. FY 2015 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2015 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2015 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of disability claims. FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills and conference reports. HR 5016, Grayson Amendment--to ensure the federal employees' pay scale provide for a minimum of $10;10 per hour. FY 2015 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; to continue with provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" as it relates to prison inmate overcrowding; correctional understaffing; and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the need to improve safety and security at BOP institutions. Lobbied for introduction of S 2309, Eric Williams Correctional Officers Protection Act of 2014 and continued lobbying efforts on S 1410, Smarter Sentencing Act of 2014. Continued lobbying on need for funding for of the Building and Facilities account for modernization and repair of existing BOP institutions, including the continued delay in construction of new female prison inmate facility at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. Ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants.FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. House FY15 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against Blumenthauer and Swalwell amendments to bill that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). FY 2015 Defense Appropriations - lobbied on issues of concern to civilian personnel related to sourcing and workforce management. Lobbied for support of Rep Donna Edwards' legislation to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied against any amendments that would have a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations -- proposed reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing.

FY 2015 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - provisions on contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities, specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenals, and organic facilities.Lobbying to include more favorable language on direct conversions and contractor inventories and to lift the cap on civilian employees. FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations bill - provisions regarding pay, benefits, and sourcing, and to retain government-wide prohibition against A-76. FY 2015 National Defense Authorization (NDAA). Lobbied for amendments that would prevent arbitrary downsizing, sourcing, and workforce management of the civilian workforce: --Senate NDAA Amendment 3432, Cardin--extending cap on service contract spending to offset cap on civilian workforce. --Senate NDAA Amendment 3419, Walsh-Tester--requiring DoD adoption of Army checklist in order to prevent illegal privatization. --Senate NDAA Amendment 3644, Begich--treating Non-Appropriated civilian employees the same as Appropriated civilian employees only for purposes of privatization. --Senate NDAA Amendment 3756, Hirono--requiring DoD to use its own cost comparison process to assign new work on the basis of cost-efficiency. Lobbied against: Jenkins (KS) Amendment - to force DoD to use contractors for the performance of inherently governmental functions regardless of the risk to the public interest. HR 4257 to slash the size of DoD civilian workforce by 15%, or almost 120,000 positions. Lobbied against the bill because it would not reduce the Departments workloadinstead, DoD would do the same with less. --DoD's compliance with Section 955 of the FY13 NDAA, specifically, the arbitrary cuts in the civilian and service contract workforces and the burden on the Department.

FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Continue to strongly lobby against FSIS proposed chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, and to support DeLauro Amendment to HR 4800 providing for no funds to be used to implement it.

FY 2015 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - provisions on contracting out A-76. Budget Reconciliation with regard to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Enforcement of DC and federal law, and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of publicworker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2015 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time.FY 2015 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs. Lobbied against H. Con. Res. 96 that would negatively impact federal employees' retirement by workers paying additional 5.5% of salary toward retirement; working conditions by replacing one employee for every three who leave; elimination of student loan reimbursements; continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. Retention of longstanding prohibitions against the use of the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. FY 2015 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2015 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2015 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of disability claims. FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement be retained in comparable Senate bills andconference reports. HR 5016, Grayson Amendment--to ensure the federal employees' pay scale provide for a minimum of $10;10 per hour. FY 2015 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; to continue with provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" as it relates to prison inmate overcrowding; correctional understaffing; and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the need to improve safety and security at BOP institutions. Lobbied for introduction of S 2309, Eric Williams Correctional Officers Protection Act of 2014 and continued lobbying efforts on S 1410, Smarter Sentencing Act of 2014. Continued lobbying on need for funding for of the Building and Facilities account for modernization and repair of existing BOP institutions, including the continued delay in construction of new female prison inmate facility at the Federal Correctional Institution in Danbury, CT. Ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants.FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. House FY15 Energy and Water Appropriations - Lobbied against Blumenthauer and Swalwell amendments to bill that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). FY 2015 Defense Appropriations - lobbied on issues of concern to civilian personnel related to sourcing and workforce management. Lobbied for support of Rep Donna Edwards' legislation to repeal the draconian increase in federal employee retirement contributions for those hired in 2013 and beyond. Lobbied against any amendments that would have a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations -- proposed reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing.

FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. HR 4745, FY 2015 Transportation, HUD, and Related agencies Appropriations Act - Waters Amendment - lobbied that no fundsmay be used by HUD to relocate any Multi-Family Housing asset management positions as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risk. Funding cut of meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand that inspection program putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination.Continued lobbying against proposed Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection--slaughter inspection rule. Additionally, lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system; reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors; and permitting faster line speeds than are allowed under the traditional inspection systems.

FY 2015 THUD Appropriations - lobbying on Gingrey (GA) amendment in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill (Transportation, HUD, Merchant Marine Academy, FAA, and NTSB).S 815, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA), lobbied for extension of worker protections against discrimination to all workers. This would include hiring, firing, and other personnel actions based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability. This would also include sexual orientation or gender identity. HR 3474 portion of tax extenders package, SA 3205, Toomey (PA) amendment to restore tax fairness to certain BOP correctional officers by providing an exemption from the 10% penalty tax on early distributions from Thrift Saving Plan fund for BOP correctional officers who retire before age 55. Lobbied for Schumer legislation to address Social Security Administration field office closings leading to vital service reductions as outlined in its Vision 2025 report. Plan to go to an exclusively on-line system for the public to get help instead of talking directly to a qualified, trained staff. Raised these concerns for discussion during Acting Commissioner Carolyn Colvin's nomination hearing.

FY 2015 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - provisions on contracting out A-76. Budget Reconciliation with regard to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Enforcement of DC and federal law, and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of publicworker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2015 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - provisions on contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities, specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenals, and organic facilities.Lobbying to include more favorable language on direct conversions and contractor inventories and to lift the cap on civilian employees. FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations bill - provisions regarding pay, benefits, and sourcing, and to retain government-wide prohibition against A-76. FY 2015 National Defense Authorization (NDAA). Lobbied for amendments that would prevent arbitrary downsizing, sourcing, and workforce management of the civilian workforce: --Senate NDAA Amendment 3432, Cardin--extending cap on service contract spending to offset cap on civilian workforce. --Senate NDAA Amendment 3419, Walsh-Tester--requiring DoD adoption of Army checklist in order to prevent illegal privatization. --Senate NDAA Amendment 3644, Begich--treating Non-Appropriated civilian employees the same as Appropriated civilian employees only for purposes of privatization. --Senate NDAA Amendment 3756, Hirono--requiring DoD to use its own cost comparison process to assign new work on the basis of cost-efficiency. Lobbied against: Jenkins (KS) Amendment - to force DoD to use contractors for the performance of inherently governmental functions regardless of the risk to the public interest. HR 4257 to slash the size of DoD civilian workforce by 15%, or almost 120,000 positions. Lobbied against the bill because it would not reduce the Departments workloadinstead, DoD would do the same with less.

FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security of DHS employees, and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2014 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination.Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to prohibit employers from hiring, refusing to promote, or refusing to hire employees because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Continue to strongly lobby against FSIS proposed chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection, and to support DeLauro Amendment to HR 4800 providing for no funds to be used to implement it.

FY 2015 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation; and contractor compensation caps.HR 3278 and S 1809, bills to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsors for both bills. S 1276 -- Security Clearance Oversight and Reform Enhancement Act (SCORE) providing oversight on use of funds OPM uses to fund security clearance background investigations and requirement that OPM fire any federal worker who engaged in misconduct while conducting background investigations with no appeal rights. S 47 - Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - provisions aimed to reduce funding levels and lessen protections for victims of domestic violence. S 1486, Postal Reform Act of 2014, lobbied in support of Tester Amendment #2, to strike Title V of S 1486, the title relating to FECA; and Tester Amendment #3, to apply the Title V changes to FECA only to federal employees hired after the date of enactment of S 1486. HR 4306, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act - to provide both General Schedule and wage-grade federal employees a 3.3% pay raise in 2015. HR 2450, the Locality Pay Equity Act - to prohibit OPM from defining more than one local wage area for prevailing rate (blue collar) employees within a General Schedule pay locality. HR 4964, the Senior Access to Social Security Act of 2014 - lobbied in support of Social Security Administration continuing to provide Social Security number print outs and continue to provide benefit verification forms. H. Res 97, lobbied that the government should preserve paper-based services for millions of Americans who cannot access technology or don't like it, thereby preserving the right of Americans to receive paper information and services unless they choose the digital option. HR 3997, SSA Accountability Act of 2014, lobbied to keep the SSA field offices and trained in-person staff available to respond to the needs of beneficiaries and not having to go online as the only means of service. HR 3382, the Smarter Sentencing Act of 2014 - lobbied to curb the explosive growth of the BOP prison population by helping to reduce lengthy sentences for those convicted of non-violent drug offenses thereby making it safer and more secure workplace. HR 5106, lobbied against Meadows Amendment to prohibit payroll deduction of union dues for federal employees who are already members.

FY 2015 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act, or EINSTEIN America Act, lobbied against Section 122that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the Department of Energy's award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned and operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. Lobbied against Blumenauer and Swalwell amendments to House FY15 Energy and Water Appropriation Bill that would cut funding for fossil fuel research conducted at National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). HR 3080, Water Resources Development Act, lobbied against Young/Petri amendment that would prevent the Corps of Engineers (CoE) from using lower-cost, higher-performing alternatives to contractors for surveying and mapping functions.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP that could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of cost burden on federal employees and retirees. And to ensure any legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out and staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration.HR 4026, Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers, a bill granting public safety officer status to Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) who die in the line of duty. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for TSOs.

FY 2015 Foreign Operations Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees. Provisions that adversely affect Voice of America employees, particularly in Greenville Transmitting Station in North Carolina.

FY 2015 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation; and contractor compensation caps.HR 3278 and S 1809, bills to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsors for both bills. S 1276 -- Security Clearance Oversight and Reform Enhancement Act (SCORE) providing oversight on use of funds OPM uses to fund security clearance background investigations and requirement that OPM fire any federal worker who engaged in misconduct while conducting background investigations with no appeal rights. S 47 - Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - provisions aimed to reduce funding levels and lessen protections for victims of domestic violence. S 1486, Postal Reform Act of 2014, lobbied in support of Tester Amendment #2, to strike Title V of S 1486, the title relating to FECA; and Tester Amendment #3, to apply the Title V changes to FECA only to federal employees hired after the date of enactment of S 1486. HR 4306, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act - to provide both General Schedule and wage-grade federal employees a 3.3% pay raise in 2015. HR 2450, the Locality Pay Equity Act - to prohibit OPM from defining more than one local wage area for prevailing rate (blue collar) employees within a General Schedule pay locality. HR 4964, the Senior Access to Social Security Act of 2014 - lobbied in support of Social Security Administration continuing to provide Social Security number print outs and continue to provide benefit verification forms. H. Res 97, lobbied that the government should preserve paper-based services for millions of Americans who cannot access technology or don't like it, thereby preserving the right of Americans to receive paper information and services unless they choose the digital option. HR 39976, SSA Accountability Act of 2014, lobbied to keep the SSA field offices and trained in-person staff available to respond to the needs of beneficiaries and not a computer system as the only means of service. HR 3382, the Smarter Sentencing Act of 2014 - lobbied to curb the explosive growth of the BOP prison population by helping to reduce lengthy sentences for those convicted of non-violent drug offenses thereby making it safer and more secure workplace.

FY 2015 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - provisions on contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities, specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenals, and organic facilities.Lobbying to include more favorable language on direct conversions and contractor inventories and to lift the cap on civilian employees. FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations bill - provisions regarding pay, benefits, and sourcing, and to retain government-wide prohibition against A-76. FY 2015 National Defense Authorization (NDAA).

FY 2014 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination.Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to prohibit employers from hiring, refusing to promote, or refusing to hire employees because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

FY 2015 THUD Appropriations - lobbying on Gingrey (GA) amendment in House to eliminate official time for all federal employees in agencies covered by the bill (Transportation, HUD, Merchant Marine Academy, FAA, and NTSB).S 815, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA), lobbied for extension of worker protections against discrimination to all workers. This would include hiring, firing, and other personnel actions based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability. This would also include sexual orientation or gender identity. Lobbied for Julie Akins Clark to be confirmed to a second term and the General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. HR 3382, the Smarter Sentencing Act of 2014 - lobbied for this bill as a means to curb the explosive growth of the BOP prison population by helping to reduce lengthy sentences for those convicted of non-violent drug offenses thereby making it safer and more secure workplace. HR 3474 portion of tax extenders package, SA 3205, Toomey (PA) amendment to restore tax fairness to certain BOP correctional officers by providing an exemption from the 10% penalty tax on early distributions from Thrift Saving Plan fund for BOP correctional officers who retire before age 55.

FY 2015 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act, or EINSTEIN America Act, lobbied against Section 122that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned and operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. HR 3080, Water Resources Development Act, lobbied against Young/Petri amendment that would prevent the Corps of Engineers (CoE) from using lower-cost, higher-performing alternatives to contractors for surveying and mapping functions.

FY 2015 Foreign Operations Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees. Provisions that adversely affect Voice of America employees, particularly in Greenville Transmitting Station in North Carolina.

FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. HR 4745, FY 2015 Transportation, HUD, and Related agencies Appropriations Act - Waters Amendment - lobbied that no fundsmay be used by HUD to relocate any Multi-Family Housing asset management positions as part of its reorganization plan.

FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risk. Funding cut of meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand that inspection program putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination.Continued lobbying against proposed Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection--slaughter inspection rule. Additionally, lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system; reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors; and permitting faster line speeds than are allowed under the traditional inspection systems.

FY 2015 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time.FY 2015 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs. Lobbied against H. Con. Res. 96 that would negatively impact federal employees' retirement by workers paying additional 5.5% of salary toward retirement; working conditions by replacing one employee for every three who leave; elimination of student loan reimbursements; continued and increased staffing cuts; privatizing of more airport screening jobs and reduction in benefits for on the job injuries. FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. Retention of longstanding prohibitions against the use of the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. FY 2015 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2015 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2015 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement retained in the comparable Senate bills as well as in the ultimate conference reports. HR 2786 and exclusion of the government-wide prohibition on new A-76 studies. FY 2015 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; to continue with provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" as it relates to prison inmate overcrowding; correctional understaffing; and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the need to improve safety and security at BOP institutions. Also necessary funding for BOP Building and Facilities account for modernization and repair of existing BOP institutions. Ensure there is no provision for funding for new Criminal Alien Requirement (CAR) prison beds owned by private prison companies to incarcerate illegal/undocumented immigrants. FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2015 Defense Appropriations - lobbied on issues of concern to civilian personnel related to sourcing and workforce management.Lobbied for floor amendments that would prevent arbitrary downsizing, sourcing, and workforce management of the civilian workforce: Hanabusa (HI)/Bishop (UT) Amendment - to extend a cap on service contract spending to offset cap on civilian workforce. Bordallo (GU) Amendment - impose guidelines to regulate conversions from civilian and contractor to military. Shea-Porter (NH) - to require DoD to use costing methodology to assign new work where sole criterion is cost and give this work to civilian employees when they are most cost-effective. Loebsack (IA) Amendment - to promote compliance with sourcing laws department-wide to prevent illegal and wasteful contracting out. Barber (AZ) Amendment: to prohibit the Air Force from retiring the A-10 close air support aircraft. Lobbied against: Jenkins (KS) Amendment - to force DoD to use contractors for the performance of inherently governmental functions regardless of the risk to the public interest. HR 4257 to slash the size of DoD civilian workforce by 15%, or almost 120,000 positions. Lobbied against the bill because it would not reduce the Departments workloadinstead, DoD would do the same with less. Lobbied against any amendments that would have a detrimental impact on the Federal Prison Industries prison inmate work program. FY 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations -- proposed reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing.

FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out and staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration.HR 4026, Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers, a bill granting public safety officer status to Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) who die in the line of duty. Lobbied to gain Title 5 and MSPB rights for TSOs.

FY 2015 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - provisions on contracting out A-76. Budget Reconciliation with regard to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Enforcement of DC and federal law, and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of publicworker jobs to private contractors.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP that could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of cost burden on federal employees and retirees. And to ensure any legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2015 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation; and contractor compensation caps.HR 3278 and S 1809, bills to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsors for both bills. S 1276 -- Security Clearance Oversight and Reform Enhancement Act (SCORE) providing oversight on use of funds OPM uses to fund security clearance background investigations and requirement that OPM fire any federal worker who engaged in misconduct while conducting background investigations with no appeal rights. S 47 - Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - provisions aimed to reduce funding levels and lessen protections for victims of domestic violence. S 1486, Postal Reform Act of 2014, lobbied in support of Tester Amendment #2, to strike Title V of S 1486, the title relating to FECA; and Tester Amendment #3, to apply the Title V changes to FECA only to federal employees hired after the date of enactment of S 1486.

FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risk. Funding cut of meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand that inspection program putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination.Continued lobbying against proposed Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection--slaughter inspection rule. Additionally, lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system; reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors; and permitting faster line speeds than are allowed under the traditional inspection systems.

FY 2015 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - provisions on contracting out and downsizing of federal employee jobs. Civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities, specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenals, and organic facilities.privatization studies. Lobbying to include more favorable language on direct conversions and contractor inventories and to lift the cap on civilian employees. FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations bill - provisions regarding pay, benefits, and sourcing, and to retain government-wide prohibition against A-76. FY 2015 National Defense Authorization (NDAA).

FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Strongly lobbying to oppose FSIS proposed chicken slaughter plant rule, Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection (77 FR 4408, January 27, 2012).

Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees during in anticipation of furloughs. Lobbied on Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution to fund benefits paid to veterans and personnel costs for processing disability payments, GI Bill, education training, and VA home loans.HR 813/S 932 - to extend advance appropriations to benefits, cemeteries, and other VA operations to further stabilize VA operations and staffing. Incorporate into S 1950 and S 1982. HR 1907 - the Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2013. HR 2785 - to extend veterans' preference rights to over 80,000 VA health care employees (both HR 2785 and S 1320). HR 813/S 932, Putting Veterans Funding First Act of 2013 to expand advance appropriations to the rest of the VA budget, beyond health care. S 928, Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2013 - lobbying to establish a working group to improve work credit and work management systems of the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and mandate of additional help to veterans to secure federal records. Continue lobbying efforts on legislation to: --Provide and expand title 38 bargaining rights; --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses. --Expand veterans preference rights for Title 38 employees. --Mandate a new work credit system for VBA employees based on a data driven time motion study. --Issue a moratorium on VA spending on any downgrades of employees before a study can be done to determine the impact on protected EEO classes.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP that could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of cost burden on federal employees and retirees. And to ensure any legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2015 Foreign Operations Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees. Provisions that adversely affect Voice of America employees, particularly in Greenville Transmitting Station in North Carolina.

FY 2015 THUD Appropriations - lobbying on amendments in House and Senate to eliminate official time for employees in agencies covered by the bill (Transportation, HUD, Merchant Marine Academy, FAA, and NTSB). Other bills to eliminate official time for union representatives - S. 785, S. 1312, H.R. 107 and H.R. 568.S 815, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA), lobbied for extension of worker protections against discrimination to all workers. This would include hiring, firing, and other personnel actions based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability. This would also include sexual orientation or gender identity.

FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security of DHS employees, and equal treatment of female TSOs.

FY 2014 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination.Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to prohibit employers from hiring, refusing to promote, or refusing to hire employees because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of HUD employees. Also proposed reorganization of its Office of Multifamily Housing.

FY 2015 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations, and compensatory time.FY 2015 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health care programs. HR 3223, lobbied for this legislation which would make whole federal employees who were furloughed because of the lapse in appropriations. S 1567, lobbied for Sen Cardins legislation to provide backpay for civil servants furloughed because of budgetary disagreement. HJ Res 89, the Federal Worker Pay Fairness Act, to pay federal employees who were required to work without waiting for the government to reopen. HR 3273, lobbied against the Bicameral Working Group on Deficit Reduction and Economic Growth, whose failure to reach agreement resulted in imposition of sequestration. As a result, Federal agencies furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal employees for over a week. FY 2015 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. Retention of longstanding prohibitions against the use of the OMB Circular A-76 process in the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC) and on certain positions in the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) related to investigation and adjudication of immigration rights and benefits. FY 2015 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2015 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2015 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. FY 2015 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement retained in the comparable Senate bills as well as in the ultimate conference reports. HR 2786 and exclusion of the government-wide prohibition on new A-76 studies. FY 2015 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" as it relates to prison inmate overcrowding; correctional understaffing; and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the need to improve safety and security at BOP institutions. FY 2015 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2015 Defense Appropriations - Floor amendments to arbitrarily downsize the civilian workforce. Lobbied against legislation introduced by Rep Calvert, the REDUCE Act, that would arbitrarily slash the size of DoD's civilian workforce. Since this legislation also imposed no cuts in service contract spending, contractor spending would increase in FY 2015.Kilmer Amendment to stop DoD from denying someone a security clearance because they had fallen into financial hardship due to sequester furloughs. Lobbying in opposition to inclusion of "special rule relating to DoD purchases of Federal Prisons Industry textile and apparel products." FY 2015 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations -- proposed reorganization of HUD office or multifamily housing

FY 2015 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - provisions on contracting out A-76. Budget Reconciliation with regard to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Enforcement of DC and federal law, and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of publicworker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2014 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations and compensatory time.FY 2014 Senate Budget Resolution - Medicaid cuts that would adversely affect health care and result in the cost of uncompensated health care being shifted to employer-sponsored health care plans. FY 2014 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health are programs. HR 3223, lobbied for this legislation which would make whole federal employees who were furloughed because of the lapse in appropriations. S 1567, lobbied for Sen Cardins legislation to provide backpay for civil servants furloughed because of budgetary disagreement. HJ Res 89, the Federal Worker Pay Fairness Act, to pay federal employees who were required to work without waiting for the government to reopen. HR 3273, lobbied against the Bicameral Working Group on Deficit Reduction and Economic Growth, whose failure to reach agreement resulted in imposition of sequestration. As a result, Federal agencies furloughed hundreds of thousands of federal employees for over a week. FY 2014 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. Amendments to mitigate statutory changes to the Screening Partnership Program. FY 2014 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2014 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2014 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. FY 2014 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make the A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement retained in the comparable Senate bills as well as in the ultimate conference reports. HR 2786 and exclusion of the government-wide prohibition on new A-76 studies. FY 2014 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" as it relates to prison inmate overcrowding; correctional understaffing; and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the need to improve safety and security at BOP institutions. FY 2014 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2014 Defense Appropriations - Lamborn floor amendment to eliminate or significantly restrict DoD's discretion to impose furloughs. Other provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs, furloughs, and sourcing and workforce management issues concerning DoD civilian employees, in particular, the Pentagon's use and spending on service contractors regardless of cost of legal requirements making even inherently governmental functions difficult to insource.Kilmer Amendment to stop DoD from denying someone a security clearance because they had fallen into financial hardship due to sequester furloughs. Lobbying in opposition to inclusion of "special rule relating to DoD purchases of Federal Prisons Industry textile and apparel products."

FY 2014 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation; and contractor compensation caps.Worked with Del Norton to introduce a bill to repeal the impact of the Conyers decision on the due process rights of federal employees holding sensitive positions. S.1276 -- Security Clearance Oversight and Reform Enhancement Act (SCORE) providing oversight on use of funds OPM uses to fund security clearance background investigations and requirement that OPM fire any federal worker who engaged in misconduct while conducting background investigations with no appeal rights. S. 47 - Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - provisions aimed to reduce funding levels and lessen protections for victims of domestic violence.

FY 2014 THUD Appropriations - lobbying on amendments in House and Senate to eliminate official time for employees in agencies covered by the bill (Transportation, HUD, Merchant Marine Academy, FAA, and NTSB). Other bills to eliminate official time for union representatives - S. 785, S. 1312, H.R. 107 and H.R. 568.S 815, the Employment Nondiscrimination Act of 2013 (ENDA), lobbied for extension of worker protections against discrimination to all workers. This would include hiring, firing, and other personnel actions based on race, religion, gender, national origin, age, and disability. This would also include sexual orientation or gender identity.

Possible bill to increase the federal government's share of health benefits premiums for its employees and retirees. Lobbied on proposed changes to FEHBP that could benefit some federal employees and harm others, while shifting more of cost burden on federal employees and retirees. And to ensure any legislation to implement these changes will not harm FEHBP enrollees.

FY 2014 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination.Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) to prohibit employers from hiring, refusing to promote, or refusing to hire employees because of their actual or perceived sexual orientation or gender identity.

FY 2014 Foreign Operations Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees. Provisions that adversely affect Voice of America employees, particularly in Greenville Transmitting Station in North Carolina.

FY 2014 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out and staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration.

FY 2014 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. Civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities, specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenals, and organic facilities. HR 1960, Rigell amendment, to give DoD discretion to conduct OMB Circular A-76privatization studies. Lobbying to include more favorable language on direct conversions and contractor inventories and to lift the cap on civilian employees. FY 2014 Financial Services Appropriations bill - provisions regarding pay, benefits, and sourcing, and to retain government-wide prohibition against A-76. FY 2014 National Defense Authorization (NDAA)--lobbied for Sanders' amendment that would increase the minimum wage to at least $14 an hour for work performed in the U.S. HR 5854, opposing provisions to freeze salaries of civilians in DoD and DVA.

FY 2014 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risk. Funding cut of meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand that inspection program putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination.Continued lobbying against proposed Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection--slaughter inspection rule. Additionally, lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system; reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors; and permitting faster line speeds than are allowed under the traditional inspection systems.

FY 2014 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees. Enabling Innovation for Science, Technology, and Energy in America Act, or EINSTEIN America Avt, lobbied against Section 111that required a study be conducted to determine how to convert the award-winning National Energy Technology Lab (NETL) from a government owned and operated facility (GO-GO) facility into a government owned, contractor-operated (GO-CO) outfit. HR 3080, Water Resources Development Act, lobbied against Young/Petri amendment that would prevent the Corps of Engineers (CoE) from using lower-cost, higher-performing alternatives to contractors for surveying and mapping functions.

FY 2014 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of USDA employees. Strongly opposing FSIS proposed chicken slaughter plant rule.

Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees during in anticipation of furloughs. Lobbied on Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution to fund benefits paid to veterans and personnel costs for processing disability payments, GI Bill, education training, and VA home loans.HR 813/S 932 - to extend advance appropriations to benefits, cemeteries, and other VA operations to further stabilize VA operations and staffing. HR 1907 - the Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2013. HR 2765 - to extend veterans' preference rights to over 80,000 VA health care employees (both Hybrid Title 38 and Pure Title 38). HR 813/ S 932, Putting Veterans Funding First Act of 2013 to expand advance appropriations to the rest of the VA budget, beyond health care. S 928, Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2013 - lobbying to establish a working group to improve work credit and work management systems of the Veterans Benefits Administration and mandate of additional help to veterans to secure federal records. Continue lobbying efforts on legislation to: --Provide and expand title 38 bargaining rights; --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses.

FY 2014 Defense Appropriations and Authorization - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. Civilian employee furloughs and contractor provisions related to programs and policies impacting industrial facilities, specifically related to depot maintenance, arsenals, and organic facilities. HR 1960, Rigell amendment, to give DoD discretion to conduct OMB Circular A-76privatization studies Lobbying to include more favorable language on direct conversions and contractor inventori3es and to lift the cap on civilian employees. FY 2014 Financial Services Appropriations bill - provisions regarding pay, benefits, and sourcing, and to retain government-wide prohibition against A-76. HR 5854, opposing provisions to freeze salaries of civilians in DoD and DVA.

FY 2014 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public safety risk. Funding cut of meat and poultry inspection program and recommendations to further expand that inspection program putting plant managers, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination.Continued lobbying against proposed Modernization of Poultry Slaughter Inspection--slaughter inspection rule. Additionally, lobbied against partially privatizing the inspection system; reducing the number of FSIS Inspectors from 4 to just 2 inspectors; and permitting faster line speeds than are allowed under the traditional inspection systems.

FY 2014 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on the Border Patrol and INS, with particular attention to contracting out, pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DHS employees.

FY 2014 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior employees.

FY 2014 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - provisions on contracting out A-76. Budget Reconciliation with regard to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of DC Government employees. Enforcement of DC and federal law, and collective bargaining agreements involving increased oversight of the conversion of publicworker jobs to private contractors.

FY 2014 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out and staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (reform of current overtime system), Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Transportation Security Administration.

FY 2014 THUD Appropriations - lobbying on amendments in House and Senate to eliminate official time for employees in agencies covered by the bill (Transportation, HUD, Merchant Marine Academy, FAA, and NTSB). Other bills to eliminate official time for union representatives - S. 785, S. 1312, H.R. 107 and H.R. 568.

FY 2014 Budget Resolution - provisions to increase the Department of Veterans Affairs health care budget with regard to budget reconciliation, legislation, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, retirement, part-time annuity computations and compensatory time.FY 2014 Senate Budget Resolution - Medicaid cuts that would adversely affect health care and result in the cost of uncompensated health care being shifted to employer-sponsored health care plans. FY 2014 Budget Resolution - conference agreement providing for an increase for veterans health are programs. FY 2014 Homeland Security Appropriations - provisions on funding for Customs and Border Patrol, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Citizenship and Immigration Services, and Federal Emergency Management Agency. DHS Personnel Plan - provisions to halt the Administration's plan to reduce the Federal Protective Service workforce. Amendments to mitigate statutory changes to the Screening Partnership Program. FY 2014 Military Quality of Life/Veterans Affairs Appropriations - provisions to provide funding for VA health and benefits programs, and contracting out. FY 2014 Interior and Environmental Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs. FY 2014 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations - provisions on contracting out, cuts in funding for job training and employment services, college aid for students, rural health care services, funding for the National Institutes of Health and contracting out at NIH, and the increase in Social Security Administration's administrative budget to ease processing backlog of more than 600,000 disability claims. FY 2014 Financial Services Appropriations - contractor compensation provisions to make th3e A-76 process less unfair to federal employees and more accountable to taxpayers, establish a reliable contractor inventory, and promote insourcing. Lobbying to ensure A-76 prohibitions and the DoD cost comparison requirement retained in the comparable Senate bills as well as in the ultimate conference reports. HR 2786 and exclusion of the government-wide prohibition on new A-76 studies. FY 2014 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - amendment to prohibit funds from being used to close or consolidate any EEOC office or make any reductions in force stemming from workforce repositioning, restructuring, or organizing of the EEOC; provision preventing use of CJS funds for A-76 competition for BOP/FPI work; and funding for BOP "Salaries and Expenses" as it relates to prison inmate overcrowding; correctional understaffing; and the ever increasing prison inmate assaults showing the need to improve safety and security at BOP institutions. FY 2014 Agriculture Appropriations - provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts for the Food Safety and Inspection Service. FY 2014 Defense Appropriations - Lamborn floor amendment to eliminate or significantly restrict DoD's discretion to impose furloughs. Other provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs, furloughs, and sourcing and workforce management issues concerning DoD civilian employees, in particular, the Pentagon's use and spending on service contractors regardless of cost of legal requirements making even inherently governmental functions difficult to insource. Kilmer Amendment to stop DoD from denying someone a security clearance because they had fallen into financial hardship due to sequester furloughs. Lobbying in opposition to inclusion of "special rule relating to DoD purchases of Federal Prisons Industry textile and apparel products."

FY 2014 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76; Civil Service Reform; contracting out; blue collar pay; minimum wage; federal retirement systems; union representation; and contractor compensation caps.Worked with Del Norton to introduce a bill to repeal the impact of the Conyers decision on the due process rights of federal employees holding sensitive positions. S.1276 -- Security Clearance Oversight and Reform Enhancement Act (SCORE) providing oversight on use of funds OPM uses to fund security clearance background investigations and requirement that OPM fire any federal worker who engaged in misconduct while conducting background investigations with no appeal rights. S. 47 - Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 - provisions aimed to reduce funding levels and lessen protections for victims of domestic violence.

Lobbied for advance appropriations for VA health care to shield most employees during in anticipation of furloughs. Lobbied on Veterans Benefits Continuing Appropriations Resolution to fund benefits paid to veterans and personnel costs for processing disability payments, GI Bill, education training, and VA home loans.HR 813/S 932 - to extend advance appropriations to benefits, cemeteries, and other VA operations to further stabilize VA operations and staffing. HR 1907 - the Nurse Staffing Standards for Patient Safety and Quality Care Act of 2013. HR 2765 - to extend veterans' preference rights to over 80,000 VA health care employees (both Hybrid Title 38 and Pure Title 38). HR 813/ S 932, Putting Veterans Funding First Act of 2013 to expand advance appropriations to the rest of the VA budget, beyond health care. S 928, Claims Processing Improvement Act of 2013 - lobbying to establish a working group to improve work credit and work management systems of the Veterans Benefits Administration and mandate of additional help to veterans to secure federal records. Continue lobbying efforts on legislation to: --Provide and expand title 38 bargaining rights; --Provide VA Canteen Service employees with Title 5 rights to appeal terminations. --Request for oversight of VA health care personnel issues, including recruitment and retention of VA physicians and registered nurses.

FY 2014 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations - provisions on reorganization plan that may compromise EEOC's ability to protect employees from employment discrimination.

FY 2014 Foreign Operations Appropriations - provisions on the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of the Department of State employees. Provisions that adversely affect Voice of America employees, particularly in Greenville Transmitting Station in North Carolina.