BENJAMIN KING

Lobbied Against VA staff reductions and removal of vacant positions. Lobbied against H.R. 9237/S. 4744, the Take Care of Americas Veterans Act, Which further privatizes the VA, moves psychologist from hybrid to full title 38 and pays for new benefits for veterans by cutting other veteran benefits. Lobbied in support of provisions in S. 3466 Honor Our Promise to Veterans Act of 2025 that would make VA telehealth primary, equalize standards between private VA providers and the VA and restore VA telework. Lobbied against a provision in S. 3466 Honor Our Promise to Veterans Act of 2025 that would move psychologist from hybrid to full title 38. Lobbied the Trump Administration to exempt the VA from the Trump Administration Executive Order, Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs. Lobbied against H.R. 740/S. 275, the Veterans Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025. AFGE specifically opposes the provisions codifying the access standards, making veteran preference to go to a private provider a criterion for what constitutes best medical interest, and creating a three-year pilot program where veterans could access outpatient mental health and substance use services without referral or preauthorization. Lobbied in favor of S. 5592 Veterans Crisis Line Support and Safety Act protecting Veteran Crises Line workers and veterans from abusive callers tying up the hotline by taking away time for legitimate callers. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 472/S. 124, the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025. Lobbied in support of H.R. 932, the Protecting VA Employees Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2550/S. 2837, the Protect Americas Workforce Act as it relates to VA employees. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3261, the VA Employee Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of draft legislation, the VA Correct Compensation Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 6015/S. 3174, the VA Care and Benefits Accountability Act, Lobbied in support of H.R. 6014/S. 2196, the Right to Representation for Department of Veterans Affairs Workers Act of 2025, Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 7950, a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7480/S. 3823, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 491/S. 624, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 657, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support H.R. 3226, the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and draft legislation, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of H.R. 8010, the VA Police Recruitment and Retention Act of 2026. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7948, the VA Employee Family Care Expansion Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 8041, the Supporting VA Families Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 8052, the Veteran Infection Prevention Act. Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied on the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied to prevent compassion fatigue for certain claims processors. Lobbied against contracting out of VA Disability Exams (C&P Exams) Lobbied for reforms to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied for oversight and improvements into VBA employee training. Lobbied on VBAs use of Performance Improvement Plans. Lobbied for changes to draft legislation related to the use of Artificial Intelligence in the VBA claims process. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2303, the Board of Veterans Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 659, the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2137, the Review Every Veterans Claims Act. Lobbied to highlight general process and production issues facing Board Attorneys. AFGE Local Vice President Matt Leffler was scheduled to testify before the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on July 21, 2026 titled Failure at the Front Gate: Examining VA Police and Security Deficiencies. This hearing was cancelled, but the written testimony was submitted to the committee repository. Submitted a Statement for the Recor for a July 13, 2026 House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization hearing on PACT Act Implementation: Modernizing VA Disability Claims Through Effective Technology.

Lobbied the House and Senate in support of the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act (H.R. 5870 / S. 4632) that would implement an automatic continuing resolution on rolling 14-day periods, based on the most current spending levels enacted in the previous fiscal year. Lobbied in support of S. 3012, the Shutdown Fairness Act, to ensure essential federal workers, active-duty military, and some contractors receive pay and benefits during a government shutdown, rather than waiting until it ends

Lobbied Congress in support of S. 2837, the Protect Americas Workforce Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits in reconciliation instructions. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied against budget cuts to Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) full-time staffing given current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against budget cuts that lead to staffing cuts at the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against elimination, consolidation, reductions in force and budget cuts to the Beltsville Agricultural Research Service and FSIS positions across the country. Lobbied against government shutdown and RIFs. Lobbied in opposition to increased line speed proposed rule. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7137 / S. 3068, the Shutdown Fairness Act. Lobbied in opposition to relocation of USDA facilities Lobbied in support of Prevent Government Shutdowns Act

Provided information to Senate and House offices regarding USCIS.

Nothing to report this quarter

Lobbied Congress in support of S. 2837, the Protect Americas Workforce Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied against massive budget cuts and reductions in force (RIFs) and termination of probationary employees at U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Lobbied opposing cuts to USAID in rescissions bill. Lobbied against any potential RIF at US Agency for Global Media (USAGM). Lobbied against termination of probationary employees and elimination of the Voice of America at USAGM. Lobbied in opposition to USAID being eliminated. Lobbied against government shutdown and RIFs. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7137 / S. 3068, the Shutdown Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of reinstatement of USAID and State Department employees

Lobbied on H.R. 8870, the Building Unrivaled Infrastructure and Long-term Development for Americas 250th (BUILD America) Act. Lobbied for reclassifications of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Railroad Safety Inspectors to be competitive with private industry in the Railway Safety Act (H.R. 971) Lobbied in support of S. 5450, legislation that would adjust FRA rail safety inspections General Schedule classification. Lobbied for increased funding for railroad safety inspectors to 400 inspectors and to add new staff to carry out multidisciplinary safety audits. This represents all inspectors in Occupational Series GS-2121, including specialties of hazardous materials, motive power and equipment, operating practices, signal and train control and track inspectors as well as the grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspectors which are not in the series. Lobbied to end the hiring freeze for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lock and dam operators.

Lobbied for funding, staffing and protection of collective bargaining rights for DOL employees. Lobbied in support for NCFLL priorities including heat and cold exposure workplace safety protections. Lobbied Congress in support of S. 2837, the Protect Americas Workforce Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied against government shutdown and RIFs. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7137 / S. 3068, the Shutdown Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of DHS pay. Lobbied in support of increased DOL funding and staffing levels. Lobbied in support of Prevent Government Shutdowns Act Lobbied in support of Department of Labor health and safety access during extreme heat and cold incidents

Lobbied Congress in support of S. 2873, the Protect Americas Workforce Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits in reconciliation instructions. Lobbied in opposition to massive cuts to budget and staffing at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Lobbied in opposition to significant reduction in force and elimination of the Office of Research and Development (ORD). Lobbied in opposition to cuts in funding for EPA. Lobbied in support of inclusion of language in House and Senate appropriations bills including language to retain staff, funding and resources at ORD. Lobbied in opposition to cuts to funding and staffing, relocation and closure of EPA regional offices. Lobbied in opposition to cuts to funding and staffing at the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Lobbied in opposition to 139 EPA employees put on administrative leave for signing a letter to EPA Administrator Zeldin opposing cuts to employees and administrative budget and functions. Lobbied in support of strong language to support the Office of Research and Development at EPA in Senate Appropriations report language. Lobbied in support of National Science Foundation employees and opposed cuts to staffing and budget and retaliatory practices. Lobbied against government shutdown and RIFs. Lobbied in support of increased funding and staffing for EPA employees. Lobbied in opposition to RIFs of EPA employees working on Environmental Justice work. Lobbied in opposition to closure of office of research and development. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7137/S. 3068 the Shutdown Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of USGS increased funding and staffing.

Lobbied Congress in support of S. 2837 the Protect Americas Workforce Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits in reconciliation instructions Lobbied in opposition to RIFs, termination of probationary employees, relocation and closure of Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) facilities. Lobbied to oppose closure of HUD facilities and transfer to National Science Foundation (NSF) facilities without adequate consultation with unions. Lobbied on relocation of HUD HQ from D.C. to Virginia Lobbied to oppose closure and consolidation of HUD offices and cuts to funding and reductions in force. Lobbied in opposition to retaliation against employees with disabilities and employees with reasonable accommodation. Lobbied against government shutdown and RIFs. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7137/S. 30168 the Shutdown Fairness Act Lobbied in support of Prevent Government Shutdowns Act Lobbied in support of Green New Deal for Housing

Lobbied in opposition to the closure and consolidation of USDA facilities. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied against cuts to the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) budget. Lobbied against closure, relocation, reductions in force (RIFs) and budget cuts to the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied against government shutdown and RIFs. Lobbied in support of the Prevent Government Shutdowns Act

Lobbied Congress in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect American Workers Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits in reconciliation instructions Lobbied in opposition to RIFs, termination of probationary employees, relocation and closure of HUD facilities. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use.

Lobbied in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect American Workers Act to restore collective bargaining rights at several federal agencies, including several DHS agencies, including USCIS. Lobbied the House and Senate on FY 2026 reconciliation opposing cuts to FERS and FEHB to pay for 2017 tax cuts.

Lobbied for Lori Chavez DeRemer to be confirmed as the Secretary of Labor. Lobbied Congress in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect American Workers Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits in reconciliation instructions Lobbied in support of H.R. 493 /S. 126, the "Federal Adjustment of Income Rates" (FAIR) Act Lobbied in support of reintroduction of the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of expanded paid leave for instances of stillbirth. Lobbied in support of expanded paid bereavement leave to cover adult children under 26 years old. Lobbied in opposition to significant staffing and budget cuts to DOL including at the Office of Federal Contractor Compliance Programs (OFCCP) Lobbied in support of H.R. 989 to codify Executive Order 11246 titled "Equal Employment Opportunity" and fight to protect the OFCCP. Lobbied to oppose cuts to pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees. Lobbied in support of reintroduction of the "Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act" allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to diagnose, prescribe treatment, and certify an injury and the extent of disability for the purpose of compensating federal workers under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA).

Lobbied Congress in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect American Workers Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits in reconciliation instructions Lobbied in opposition to massive cuts to budget and staffing at EPA. Lobbied in opposition to significant reduction in force and elimination of the Office of Research and Development (ORD). Lobbied in opposition to cuts to funding and staffing, relocation and closure of EPA regional offices Lobbied in opposition to cuts to funding and staffing at the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Staffing: Lobbied against termination of probationary VA workers. Lobbied against 80,000 worker Reduction in Force at VA. Lobbied against President Trumps Presidential Memorandum, Return to In-Person Work. Lobbied the Trump Administration to exempt the VA from the Trump Administration Executive Order, Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs. Lobbied for oversight of VA worker exemptions from the federal employee hiring freeze ordered by President Trump. Lobbied in support of S.1068, the Putting Veterans First Act of 2025, which reinstates fired veteran employees, puts limitations on hiring freezes, and creates civil service protections for federal employees. Privatization: Lobbied against H.R. 1972, the Standardizing Treatment and Referral Times Act of 2025, which would establish that the period during which the referral of a veteran to a private provider remains valid begins on the day of the first appointment. This provision allows private providers to skirt timeliness requirements altogether by giving them an indefinite period in which they can provide services. Lobbied against H.R. 740/S. 275, the Veterans Assuring Critical Care Expansions to Support Servicemembers (ACCESS) Act of 2025. AFGE specifically opposes the provisions codifying the access standards, making veteran preference to go to a private provider a criterion for what constitutes best medical interest, and creating a three-year pilot program where veterans could access outpatient mental health and substance use services without referral or preauthorization. Quality: Lobbied against H.R.9438, the "No Wrong Door for Veterans Act," which eliminates the requirement that previous recipients of grants reapplying to the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant Program show evidence of efficacy. VA Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 472/S. 124, the Restore VA Accountability Act of 2025. Lobbied in support of H.R. 932, the Protecting VA Employees Act. Lobbied in support of draft legislation, the VA Employee Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of draft legislation, the VA Correct Compensation Act. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 493/S. 126, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 491/S. 624, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 657, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support draft legislation, the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and draft legislation, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Veterans Benefits Administration and Board of Veterans Appeals Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied on the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied to prevent compassion fatigue for certain claims processors. Lobbied for reforms to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied for oversight and improvements into VBA employee training. Lobbied on VBAs use of Performance Improvement Plans. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2303, the Board of Veterans Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 1578, the Veterans Claims Education Act. Lobbied in support of parts of H.R. 2201, the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2137, the Review Every Veterans Claims Act. Provided commentary on H.R. 1741, the Veterans Appeals Transparency Act. Testimony and Comments: AFGE submitted a statement for the record for a House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee titled VA First, Veteran Second: The Biden-Harris Legacy on February 6, 2025. AFGE submitted a statement for the record for the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Hearing on Pending Legislation on February 25, 2025. AFGE submitted a statement for the record for the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Hearing on Pending Legislation on March 11, 2025. AFGE submitted comments to the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health for a Hearing on Pending Legislation on March 11, 2025. AFGE submitted a statement for the record to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs for Hearing on Pending Legislation on March 26, 2025.

Lobbied in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect American Workers Act to rescind the Trump Executive Order eliminating federal collective bargaining rights at several federal agencies. Lobbied the House and Senate on FY 2026 reconciliation opposing cuts to FERS and FEHB to pay for 2017 tax cuts. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2692, the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to end the tax subsidy for employer efforts to influence their workers' exercise of their rights around labor organizations and engaging in collective action.

Lobbied Congress in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect American Workers Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits in reconciliation instructions Lobbied Congress to require Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide safe staffing and workplace safety measures for correctional officers. Lobbied in support of legislation and funding to address exposure to toxic substances including fentanyl, K2 and spice sent through the mail to BoP facilities. Lobbied in opposition to augmentation and in support of full staffing, funding and workplace safety for correctional officers and all BOP staff. Lobbied for higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum-security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. Lobbied in support of H.R. 378 and S. 83, the "Thin Blue Line Act," which would make murdering a law enforcement officer an aggravated factor in sentencing for a capital crime. Lobbied in support of H.R. 1556 and S. 718, "Eric's Law," which would allow the empaneling of a new jury if a jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict in a trial involving the murder of a law enforcement officer. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 2027 and S. 298 the Return SBA to Mainstreet Act to relocate 30% of SBA from Washington, D.C. to another location in the United States Lobbied in support of S. 736, the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act introduced by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to crack down on the smuggling of contraband cellphones into federal prisons by upgrading the charge for such smuggling from a misdemeanor offense to a felony. Lobbied in support of reintroduction of the Equal Remedies Act. Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for salaries and expenses (S&E) and buildings and facilities (B&F). Lobbied in opposition to the use of augmentation or reassignment at BOP. Lobbied in support of hiring additional correctional officers. Lobbied in support of increasing Unit Officer Staff at High Security Institutions. Lobbied in opposition to removal of Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Commissioners. Lobbied in support of S. 307, the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act introduced by Senator Blackburn (R-TN) and Senator Ossoff (D-GA) to address sexual harassment and sexual assault of Bureau of Prisons staff in prisons.

Lobbied Congress in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect American Workers Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied Congress in support of the Arsenal Workload Sustainment Act, H.R. 1995/S. 905. Lobbied Congress in support of the Federal Firefighters Families First Act (H.R. 759). Lobbied in support of incentives and policies in support of domestic shipbuilding. Lobbied opposing Reductions in Force (RIFs) to civilian Department of Defense employees. Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits in reconciliation instructions.

Lobbied Congress in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect American Workers Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits in reconciliation instructions Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied against budget cuts to FSIS full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against budget and staffing cuts to the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied in support of reintroduction of the "Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act" Lobbied in support of H.R. 2626, the "Pigs and Public Health Act of 2025"

Lobbied Congress in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect American Workers Act to rescind EO to eliminate federal collective bargaining rights. Lobbied against massive budget cuts and reductions in force and termination of probationary employees at U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits in reconciliation instructions Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections. Lobbied against the use of generative AI voices at the USAGM. Lobbied against any potential RIF at USAGM. Lobbied against termination of probationary employees and elimination of the Voice of American at USAGM Lobbied in support of the reintroduction of the State Department Integrity and Transparency Act, to strengthen the State Department by reducing the number of political appointees and creating more civil service positions.

Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 1210, the Protecting Taxpayers Wallet Act Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 2249, the Preserving Presidential Management Authority Act Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 2174, the Paycheck Protection Act Lobbied against the confirmation of Russell Vought to be Director, Office of Management and Budget Lobbied against the confirmation of Scott Kupur to be the director of the Office of Management and Budget Lobbied against the confirmation of Eric M. Ueland to be Deputy Director for Management, Office of Management and Budget Lobbied in support of H.R. 2550, the Protect American Workers Act to rescind the Trump Executive Order eliminating federal collective bargaining rights at several federal agencies. Lobbied the House and Senate on FY 2026 reconciliation opposing cuts to FERS and FEHB to pay for 2017 tax cuts. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 473, the "SHOW UP Act" and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied in support of H.R. 493 and S. 126 the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied in support of passage of S. 1077 to prevent massive budget cuts to D.C. budget Lobbied in support of amendments to the House and Senate budget resolutions to restore collective bargaining rights. Lobbied in support of H.R. 491, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries' cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2086 and S. 997 the "Rights for the TSA Workforce Act to provide full title 5 collective bargaining rights for transportation security officers. Lobbied in support of H.R. 1835 the Model Employee Reinstatement for Ill-advised Termination (MERIT) Act to reinstate federal employees who were unjustly fired by Donald Trump and Elon Musks DOGE initiative that targeted federal workers. In addition to rehiring these workers, the MERIT Act gives them the back pay they deserve. Lobbied in support of H.R. 492 and S. 134, the Saving the Civil Service Act to prevent the politicization of the non-partisan civil service by limiting the conversion of federal jobs from the competitive service to the excepted service without congressional approval. Lobbied in support of H.R. 759 the Federal Firefighter's Families First Act to include mandatory overtime hours worked into the calculation of retirement benefits Lobbied in support of H.R. 1637 and S. 914 the Protect Veterans Jobs Act to reinstate veterans who were fired from their jobs a during the Trump Administration and DOGE purge of federal employees. Lobbied in support of H.R. 1989 the Protect Our Probationary Employees Act to ensure that if terminated probationary employees are reinstated, they will not need to restart their probationary period for the same job they previously held and can continue to do the important work of the American people. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2470 the COST of Relocations Act to require a cost-benefit analysis to be submitted to Congress to ensure that any attempt to move federal agencies is appropriately analyzed to guarantee it is in the best interest of the taxpayer and the agencys mission. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2906 the SERVICE Act to prevent an agency from reducing its workforce by 5% or greater in a given fiscal year without itself conducting a full impact analysis of those cuts on the agency's ability to carry out its mission, and GAO evaluating the accuracy of that evaluation. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2905, the Ensuring Agency Service Quality Act to amend 5 USC 3101 ("Each Executive agency, military department, and the government of the District of Columbia may employ such number of employees of the various classes recognized by chapter 51 of this title as Congress may appropriate for from year to year."), the general authority provision that allows the government to employ, from a 'may employ' to a '*shall* employ', and requires an agency to justify their inability or refusal to comply with the requirement. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2692 the No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to end the tax subsidy for employer efforts to influence their workers' exercise of their rights around labor organizations and engaging in collective action.

Lobbied opposing cuts to pay and benefits including cuts and modifications to FERS and FEHB in reconciliation instructions to pay for tax cuts Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB.

Lobbied against RIFs and termination of probationary employees at FEMA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2086 and S. 997 the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act.

Lobbied for Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7127/S. 3688, the "Federal Adjustment of Income Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 7.4%. Lobbied in support of H.R. 856/S. 274, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of expanded paid leave for instances of stillbirth. Lobbied in support of expanded paid bereavement leave to cover adult children under 26 years old. Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees. Urged Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to move with all due consideration and speed to confirm nominees to the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and in support of the confirmation of Anne Wagner to be a member of the Authority. FY 2025 Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations (H.R. 9029): Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA), in support of upgrading SSA legal assistants and customer service representatives positions, in support of report language directing SSA to roll back the average call handling time goal at teleservice centers and mandate call waiting time estimates to the public, in support of funds to renovate and restore National Personal Protection Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) facilities in Bruceton and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, in support of language stating that the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) user fees collected for leading the national respirator conformity assessment activities, including certification of respirators, will not expire with the fiscal year, and in support of increased funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Lobbied in support of H.R. 618 / S. 131, the "Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act" allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to diagnose, prescribe treatment, and certify an injury and the extent of disability for the purpose of compensating federal workers under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). Lobbied in support of the Equal Remedies Act of 2024 to eliminate statutory damage caps and enhance protections for workers in discrimination cases. Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25 NDAA) (H.R. 5009 / Public Law 118-159): Lobbied in support of a pay raise for Fiscal Year 2025 for Defense Department civil service employees. Lobbied in support of maintaining minimal staffing requirements for Department of Defense firefighters at military installations. Lobbied in support of ending the five-year limit for overseas Defense Department civil service positions. Lobbied in support of increasing military leave accrual and accumulation for federal civil service employees who are in the National Guard or military reserves. Lobbied in support of making reforms to improve Department of Defense child care centers. Lobbied against an amendment to establish a fiscal commission as part of the FY25 National Defense Authorization act. Lobbied against an amendment that would prohibit the payment of annuities to Defense Department civilian employees convicted of certain offenses. Lobbied against proposals in the House and Senate NDAA to expand the Department of Defenses direct hire authority for vacant civil service positions. Lobbied against proposals in the House and Senate NDAA to limit or eliminate offices of diversity, equity, and accessibility (DEIA) in the Department of Defense. Lobbied against proposals to restrict the authority of federal agencies to maintain alternative workplace arrangements. FY25 Department of Defense Appropriations (H.R. 8774 / S. 4921): Lobbied for passage of H.R. 10545 (Public Law 118-158), the American Relief Act, to continue to fund the federal government, including the U.S. Department of Defense, through March 14, 2025.

Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full-time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support of including workforce language to make sure that bargaining unit employees retain their rights during a transition in a bill that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), returning it to being an independent agency. Lobbied in support of inclusion of title 5 collective bargaining rights and GS pay for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act, H.R. 8370/S. 4334. Lobbied for H.R. 8662, the TSA Commuting Fairness Act to study the possibility of credit or compensation to TSOs for their extended travel time from remote parking lots to their duty posts. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3394, the Fund the TSA Act to end the diversion of the passenger security fee to non-aviation security purposes, increase the fee and index it to inflation, and designation a portion of the proceeds to pay and bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers as well as for important technology investments. Lobbied for an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Provided technical assistance on the development of multiple pieces of legislation to end the fee, including provisions for technology investments. Lobbied for a requirement that Public Charter Flights be subject to passenger screening when they are on fixed routes, sell tickets by the seat and have more than nine passengers. Lobbied for additional regulations on private screening providers in California. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency. Lobbied for basic medical and technology supplies for nurses serving in the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC). Lobbied for reauthorization of the CFATS program (H.R. 4470). Lobbied for Menendez amendment to H.R. 4367, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, to support CFATS inspector training. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in Murray ANS to H.R. 3935, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in 2025 NDAA. Lobbied on approach to cyber workforce proposal affecting DHS and other agencies. Emphasized concerns with a separate pay system and waiver of title 5 authority. FY 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations: Lobbied in support of the administrations FY25 funding request for TSA, in support of increased ICE funding to continue hiring for the Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), and in opposition to the administrations proposal to eliminate TSO staffing of exit lanes. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024. Lobbied for passage of an additional continuing appropriation (H.R. 10545) through March 14, 2025 as the only alternative to a government shutdown. Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act for special retirement benefits for Federal Protective Service (FPS) employees.

Lobbied the House and Senate in Support of H.R. 10445, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025, that the House and Senate were expected to vote on during the week of December 14 but withdrew. Lobbied in support of H.R. 10545, the Further Continuing Appropriations and Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2025, that Congress passed on December 20 to extend federal spending and avert a government shutdown through March 14, 2025.

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 for the, "Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023" led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for progressive, worker friendly provisions in the Farm Bill. Lobbied in support of H.R. 8994, the "Pigs and Public Health Act of 2024." Lobbied on the Farm Bill to ensure more labor friendly provisions. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

FY 2025 Agriculture Appropriations - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase in FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for USDA to improve conditions for workers at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the "Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act" led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied in support of H.R. 8994, the "Pigs and Public Health Act of 2024." Lobbied on the Farm Bill to ensure more labor friendly provisions. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to protect increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4963 and S. 738, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Lobbied for H.R. 4535 and S. 1174, a bill to ensure the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to Americas social insurance programs, known as the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act. Lobbied to make sure the Trump tax cuts set to sunset in 2025 expire as scheduled. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

VA budget: Lobbied for Congress to provide funding to plug a $15 billion budget shortfall for FY 2024 and FY 2025. Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied on the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied to prevent compassion fatigue for certain claims processors. Lobbied for reforms to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied for oversight and improvements into VBA employee training. Lobbied on VBAs use of Performance Improvement Plans. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for the introduction and in support of H.R. 9046, the Board of Veterans Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act including the re-instatement of GS-14 career ladder position and the career path to a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the Veterans Appeals Backlog Improvement Act. Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans Appeals. Lobbied for additional training for Board of Veterans Appeals Attorneys. Lobbied in support of ANS to H.R. 1530, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for technical changes to S. 3979, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 6538, the VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023 and for its introduction in the Senate. Lobbied in support of S. 4046/H.R. 9855, the "VA Employee Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of and for changes to S. 2679, the Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Development (LEAD) Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 6531, the TRAIN VA Employees Act. HR modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 7127/S. 3688, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VA's authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 and 2025 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. VA Quality: Lobbied to amend H.R. 6330, the Veterans Sentinel Act to include data collection and analysis for suicides that happen when veterans are served at non-VA facilities. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VA's own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied against an amendment to H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 forcing VA to apply the same access standards for Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) as for primary care, specialty care, and non-institutional extended care services. Lobbied against amendments to H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 that would codify Trump-Era access standards responsible for rapid privatization of the VA, prohibit VA from modifying access standards to allow telehealth to satisfy these access standards and require VA to meet strict timeframes evaluating high-risk veterans for referral to residential treatment and rehabilitative programs without providing any additional funding to staff these new obligations. Lobbied against amendments to H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 that would require VA to meet 72-hour evaluation timeframe for evaluating high-risk veterans for residential treatment centers without providing adequate funding or putting equivalent credentialing and quality requirements on private programs. Lobbied against a proposal to create a pilot program under which the Secretary would contract out to fill vacancies at a medical facility with non-department health care providers. Lobbied against a provision in H.R. 9438, the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act, reduces the wait time for VA mental health care from the current 20 day to just 3 days. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 9146, Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act, which would require the Secretary to include continuity of care as one of the criteria used to determine when private care would be in the best medical interest (BMI) of a veteran undermining VAs ability to decide when returning a veteran to the VA is the in the best interest of the veteran. Lobbied against the Veterans Mental Health Access Act, which would create a parallel private mental health program that supplants VAs direct care system rather than supplement it when veterans cannot reasonably access VA care. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, H.R. 1315, the Health Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3146, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VA's own healthcare. Lobbied for oversight of new VA private contracting program, the Integrated Critical Staffing Program. Lobbied for oversight of VA staffing reductions. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters. Lobbied for better information on scheduling and appointment times for both in-house VA and private care. Lobbied for more information about the costs of VA care. Lobbied against VA raising the ceiling for payment to third party private, Community Care contractors. Lobbied against prohibiting public health care programs from using QALYs to determine price. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act, and urge that it be defeated on the House floor. H.R. 485 would increase already high healthcare costs for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), which covers the vast majority of AFGE members and their families. In additional to FEHBP, the bill would prohibit Medicaid, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, Medicare Part D Plans (PDPs), the VA, and the Defense Health Agency from using Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) - a measure that ascertains the value of a drug - to make decisions about a drugs price. Medicare already prohibits the use of QALYs in ways that discriminate against the elderly (such as by valuing the extension of life of an older person as less than extending the life of a younger person). Lobbied against amendments to H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 that would: 1) codify Trump-Era access standards responsible for rapid privatization of the VA, prohibits VA from modifying access standards to allow telehealth to satisfy these access standards and requires VA to meet strict timeframes evaluating high-risk veterans for referral to residential treatment and rehabilitative programs without providing any additional funding to staff these new obligations and 2) require VA to meet 72-hour evaluation timeframe for evaluating high-risk veterans for residential treatment centers without providing adequate funding or putting equivalent credentialing and quality requirements on private programs. Lobbied against Amendment to H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 forcing VA to apply the same access standards for Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) as for primary care, specialty care, and non-institutional extended care services that would not apply to private RRTP facilities, promoting privatization. Lobbied against provisions in H.R. 8371, the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act that would allow decisions between a veteran and a doctor to remain final without VA authorization and provisions that would require strict timeframes for placement of high-risk veterans in mental health treatment programs for VA programs but not private programs. Lobbied in support of final passage of S. 141, the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. Statements and Correspondence: Testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Health on December 17, 2024 legislative hearing. Specific Legislation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 6538, the "VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of S. 4046/H.R. 9855, the VA Employee Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023." Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support" (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure, and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at VA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of VA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S. 2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 6531, the TRAIN VA Employees Act. Lobbied in support and for changes to S. 2679, the VA LEAD Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to S. 2649, the Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1315, the HEALTH Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the "VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the "Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the "VA Medical Center Security Report Act." Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act," which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the "Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act," which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Act, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the "Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act," which would set minimum nurse‐ patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including YA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3176, Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which creates a three-year pilot program allowing veterans to obtain hospital care, medical services, psychological services, and extended care bypassing VA authorization and the need to meet access standards. Lobbied in opposition to H.R.5287, the Veterans Access to Direct Primary Care Act, would establish Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) funded by the VA that veterans could use for private healthcare. Veterans electing these HSAs would be completely barred from accessing VA healthcare services. Lobbied in opposition to the Complete the Mission Act (No bill number). This proposal codifies the Community Care access standards, modifies 38 USC 1703(d)(2) to make veteran preference to go to a private provider a criterion for what constitutes best medical interest and creates a pilot three-year pilot program in at least five locations where veterans could access outpatient mental health and substance use services. AFGE opposes this provision as it would circumvent VAs ability to coordinate care and is unsustainable for the VA in the long term. Lobbied to preserve changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Lobbied for technical changes to S. 3979, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 7765, the VA Security Screening Pilot Program Act Lobbied for the introduction and support of the Board of Veterans Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 7793 the Veterans Appeals Operations Expansion Act of 2024; Lobbied for changes to H.R. 7917, the Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2024; Lobbied for changes to H.R. 7919, the Veterans Claims Quality Improvement Act of 2024. Lobbied or changes to H.R. 7883, the Toxic Exposures Examination Improvement Act Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 7734 the Personnel Integrity in Veterans Affairs Act of 2024 Lobbied in support of H.R. 9046, the Board of Veterans Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act Lobbied in support of H.R. 2971, the Veterans Claims Education Act of 2023 Lobbied for changes to H.R. 8874, the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 8879, the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act Lobbied for changes to H.R. 8881, the Rural Veterans Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2024. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024. Lobbied in support of final passage of S. 141, the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. Lobbied against expanding use of Schedule F for VA employees.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Pointed out threats to federal employee health benefits should any future fiscal commission be allowed to consider this as a source for a deficit deal or appropriations compromises. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception and IVF. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024 and for an additional continuing resolution through March 14, 2025 as a means of preventing government shutdown.

FY 2025 Foreign Operations Appropriations --Lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State, U.S. Agency on International Aid (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the U.S. Agency on Global Media (USAGM) and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections. Lobbied against the use of generative AI voices at the USAGM. Lobbied against any potential RIF at USAGM. Lobbied to increase the administration cap at the MCC in the FY 2025 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. Lobbied against changes at the Voice of American at USAGM that would have the agency ditch its traditional short-wave broadcasts in favor of relying on social media. Lobbied in support of S. 4476, the State Department Integrity and Transparency Act, to strengthen the State Department by reducing the number of political appointees and creating more civil service positions. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

Lobbied Congress to require Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide safe staffing and workplace safety measures for correctional officers. Lobbied in support of legislation and funding to address exposure to toxic substances including fentanyl, K2 and spice sent through the mail to BoP facilities. Lobbied in support of funding a 25% Special Salary Rate for BOP employees in the FY2025 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill. Lobbied in opposition to augmentation and in support of full staffing, funding and workplace safety for correctional officers and all BOP staff. Lobbied in support of time and a half true overtime for BOP nurses FY 2025 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations. Lobbied for higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum-security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. Lobbied in support of H.R. 130 and S. 459, the "Thin Blue Line Act," which would make murdering a law enforcement officer an aggravated factor in sentencing for a capital crime. Lobbied in support of S. 529, "Eric's Law" which would allow the empaneling of a new jury if a jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict in a trial involving the murder of a law enforcement officer. Lobbied in support of full multilingual opportunities and adequate compensation for employees at the Small Business Administration. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3019, Federal Prison Oversight Act. Lobbied in support of S. 4142, the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act introduced by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to crack down on the smuggling of contraband cellphones into federal prisons by upgrading the charge for such smuggling from a misdemeanor offense to a felony. Lobbied in support of H.R. 8298 / S. 4327, the Equal Remedies Act of 2024. Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for salaries and expenses (S&E) and buildings and facilities (B&F). Lobbied in support of increased funding for BOP Salary Special Pay Table Increase. Lobbied in opposition to the use of augmentation or reassignment at BOP. Lobbied in support of hiring additional correctional officers. Lobbied in support of increasing Unit Officer Staff at High Security Institutions. Lobbied in support of report language to direct the Bureau of Prisons to give nurses full time-and-a-half overtime pay. Lobbied in support of increased funding for staffing at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Lobbied in support of Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) to include report language stating that no funds shall be used to transfer functions of JPATS Las Vegas, Nevada Hub to Kansas City, Missouri. Lobbied in support increased funding for the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024. Lobbied in support of S. 5062, the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act introduced by Senator Blackburn (R-TN) and Senator Ossoff (D-GA) to address sexual harassment and sexual assault of Bureau of Prisons staff in prisons. Lobbied in opposition to the closure of BOP facilities.

Lobbied the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in support of (1) increased funding for the Immigration and Custom Enforcements Office of Principal Legal Advisor, the legal representative of the federal government in immigration enforcement matters that come before immigration courts, (2) more resources for the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), the office within ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) responsible for providing health care for noncitizens detained in ICE custody; (3) more funding for the Citizenship and Immigration Services humanitarian programs, including refugee and asylum programs, through direct appropriation rather than fees; and (4) the establishment of a mandatory E-Verify program.

Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at EPA. H.R. 8998, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025: Lobbied against amendments proposed to H.R. 8997 when the House considered the measure that would have arbitrarily reduced that salaries of various officials whose agencies are funded by the bill, blocked enforcement of Executive Order 14019 - Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting, and reduced or eliminated funding for offices and programs at agencies covered by the bill. Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in support of hiring more EPA employees, in support of improving recruitment efforts at the EPA, and in opposition to relocations, consolidation and closure of EPA Facilities. Lobbied in opposition to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) facilities. Lobbied in support of report language that directs the Army Corps of Engineers to recognize the duty station for crew on a dredge to be the dredges home port and to pay for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals on all dredges when they travel further than 100 miles from the home port. Lobbied in support of funds to renovate and restore National Personal Protection Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) facilities in Bruceton and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, in support of language stating that the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) user fees collected for leading the national respirator conformity assessment activities, including certification of respirators, will not expire with the fiscal year. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

FY 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations - Lobbied for increased funding for railroad safety inspectors to 400 inspectors and to add new staff to carry out multidisciplinary safety audits. This represents all inspectors in Occupational Series GS-2121, including specialties of hazardous materials, motive power and equipment, operating practices, signal and train control and track inspectors as well as the grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspectors which are not in the series. Lobbied in support of $160,000 in funding for each position. Lobbied for report language directing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to review position classification standards of railroad safety inspectors to reflect the increased technological requirements of their positions. Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use. Lobbied to highlight bad faith bargaining at HUD. Lobbied in support of diversity, equity and inclusion and disability accommodations. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

FY25 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 7070 / S. 4638): Lobbied in support of a pay raise for Fiscal Year 2025 for Defense Department civil service employees. Lobbied in support of maintaining minimal staffing requirements for Department of Defense firefighters at military installations. Lobbied in support of ending the five-year limit for overseas Defense Department civil service positions. Lobbied in support of increasing military leave accrual and accumulation for federal civil service employees who are in the National Guard or military reserves. Lobbied in support of making reforms to improve Department of Defense child care centers. Lobbied against an amendment to establish a fiscal commission as part of the FY25 National Defense Authorization act. Lobbied against an amendment that would prohibit the payment of annuities to Defense Department civilian employees convicted of certain offenses. Lobbied against proposals in the House and Senate NDAA to expand the Department of Defenses direct hire authority for vacant civil service positions. Lobbied against proposals in the House and Senate NDAA to limit or eliminate offices of diversity, equity, and accessibility (DEIA) in the Department of Defense. Lobbied against proposals to restrict the authority of federal agencies to maintain alternative workplace arrangements. FY25 Defense Appropriations (H.R. 8774): Lobbied in support of language included in previous Defense Appropriations bill prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent an analysis of the effects of such reduction on workload and military readiness of the armed forces. Lobbied against any proposal to prohibit military exchanges and commissaries from selling Chinese-made products. Lobbied against an amendment authorizing direct hire authority for any position supporting the military mission or posture in the Indo-Pacific region. Lobbied in opposition to an amendment which would have prohibited telework and remote work for certain DoD employees and contractors. Lobbied against an amendment prohibiting funding for Executive Order 14019, relating to Promoting Access to Voting. Lobbied in opposition to amendments to reduce the salaries of various DoD officials. Lobbied against an amendment prohibiting the use of funds to carry out a mask mandate regarding the spread of COVID-19 on military instillations. Lobbied against an amendment to eliminate funding for important diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) programs at the Defense Department. Lobbied in support of amendments to ensure that federal civilian employees who serve in the DC National Guard are treated the same as all other federal civilian employees who serve in the National Guard. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

Lobbied Congress to require Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide safe staffing and workplace safety measures for correctional officers. Lobbied in support of legislation and funding to address exposure to toxic substances including fentanyl, K2 and spice sent through the mail to BoP facilities. Lobbied in support of funding a 25% Special Salary Rate for BOP employees in the FY2025 Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill. Lobbied in opposition to augmentation and in support of full staffing, funding and workplace safety for correctional officers and all BOP staff. Lobbied in support of time and a half true overtime for BOP nurses FY 2025 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations. Lobbied for higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum-security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. Lobbied in support of H.R. 130 and S. 459, the "Thin Blue Line Act," which would make murdering a law enforcement officer an aggravated factor in sentencing for a capital crime. Lobbied in support of S. 529, "Eric's Law" which would allow the empaneling of a new jury if a jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict in a trial involving the murder of a law enforcement officer. Lobbied in support of full multilingual opportunities and adequate compensation for employees at the Small Business Administration. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3019, Federal Prison Oversight Act. Lobbied in support of S. 4142, the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act introduced by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to crack down on the smuggling of contraband cellphones into federal prisons by upgrading the charge for such smuggling from a misdemeanor offense to a felony. Lobbied in support of H.R. 8298 / S. 4327, the Equal Remedies Act of 2024. Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for salaries and expenses (S&E) and buildings and facilities (B&F). Lobbied in support of increased funding for BOP Salary Special Pay Table Increase. Lobbied in opposition to the use of augmentation or reassignment at BOP. Lobbied in support of hiring additional correctional officers. Lobbied in support of increasing Unit Officer Staff at High Security Institutions. Lobbied in support of report language to direct the Bureau of Prisons to give nurses full time-and-a-half overtime pay. Lobbied in support of increased funding for staffing at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Lobbied in support of Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) to include report language stating that no funds shall be used to transfer functions of JPATS Las Vegas, Nevada Hub to Kansas City, Missouri. Lobbied in support of increased funding for the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC). Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to protect increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4963 and S. 738, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Lobbied for H.R. 4535 and S. 1174, a bill to ensure the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to Americas social insurance programs, known as the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act. Lobbied to make sure the Trump tax cuts set to sunset in 2025 expire as scheduled. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the "SHOW UP Act" and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for a 7.4% increase in federal by for 2025 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, H.R. 8773. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of Income Rates) Act, H.R. 7127 and S. 3688 to provide a 7.4% increase to federal employees pay in 2025. Lobbied for a minimum of parity in the 2025 pay between military and civilian employees to provide at least a 4.5% pay raise. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against enactment of new excepted service and direct-hire authorities proposed in various bills including the NDAA. Lobbied for greater ethics disclosures for contractors working within the federal government, e.g., within the Cyber Reserve service. Lobbied in favor of higher bonuses for federal workers who recommend cost-saving improvements in their agencies. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the "Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act;" lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank-and-file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the "Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 866, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries' cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the "Chance to Compete Act of 2023," and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the Presidents FY 2025 budget request to continue GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied in support of the Fund the "TSA Act," H.R. 3394. Lobbied in support of the Rights for the "TSA Workforce Act," H.R. 8370 / S. 4334 to provide full title 5 collective bargaining rights for transportation security officers. Lobbied in support of the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of additional security measures for scheduled charter flights so they are fully subject to TSA screening. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the "Military Spouse Employment Act." Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act of 2023" to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied for passage of S. 3029, the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act. Lobbied against FY 2025 appropriations amendments to require excessive reporting on telework and remote work, ban mask mandates, and reduce federal spending below Fiscal Responsibility Act targets. Lobbied for changes to S. 3015, the Telework Reform Act of 2023 to protect competitive service hiring. Lobbied for changes to S. 4043, the Telework Transparency Act of 2024 to prevent arbitrary office space reductions and/or telework restrictions. Lobbied against a proposed Romney amendment to S. 4043 to impose remote surveillance on teleworking federal employees. Lobbied against the Perry amendment to the NDAA bill (H.R. 8070) to question to role of official time by ordering a biased reporting its use in the federal workplace. Lobbied against a proposed Scott amendment to the NDAA bill (H.R. 8070) to curtail collective bargaining rights for dual status technicians employed by the Defense Department. Lobbied against H.R 4848, the Censorship Accountability Act, which would expose federal employees performing their lawful duties to personal civil liability over purported intrusions into the First Amendment. Provided technical assistance to House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce for its September 14, 2023, hearing: Oversight of Federal Agencies Post-Pandemic Telework Policies. Lobbied against Senate proposal to expand excepted hiring in the Defense Departments Artificial Intelligence Office. Lobbied for expansion of FMLA eligibility expansion to credit military service, provision which was enacted in the NDAA. Lobbied for changes to OPMs proposed governmentwide cybersecurity workforce proposal to preserve title 5 provisions, protect collective bargaining rights, and avoid pay banding systems that are associated with arbitrary or discriminatory treatment. Lobbied against H.R. 9594 the Protect Taxpayers Wallets Act which would effectively end official time for federal unions. Lobbied against H.R. 8314 the No Foreign Election Interference Act which would have interfered with the functioning of union political action committees. Lobbied against S. 4321 the No Taxpayer-Funded Pensions for Sex Criminals Act which may have punished federal healthcare providers who provided reproductive care. Lobbied against S. 4667 the Risky Research Review Act which would impose criminal penalties and other sanctions on federal workers reviewing or performing medical research. Lobbied in favor of S. 131 to improve federal workers ability to access workers compensation benefits in case of work-related injury. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation - HUD

Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full-time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support of including workforce language to make sure that bargaining unit employees retain their rights during a transition in a bill that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), returning it to being an independent agency. Lobbied in support of inclusion of title 5 collective bargaining rights and GS pay for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act, H.R. 8370/S. 4334. Lobbied for H.R. 8662 to study the possibility of credit or compensation to TSOs for their extended travel time from remote parking lots to their duty posts. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3394, the Fund the TSA Act to end the diversion of the passenger security fee to non-aviation security purposes, increase the fee and index it to inflation, and designation a portion of the proceeds to pay and bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers as well as for important technology investments. Lobbied for an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Provided technical assistance on the development of multiple pieces of legislation to end the fee, including provisions for technology investments. Lobbied for a requirement that Public Charter Flights be subject to passenger screening when they are on fixed routes, sell tickets by the seat and have more than nine passengers. Lobbied for additional regulations on private screening providers in California. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency. Lobbied for basic medical and technology supplies for nurses serving in the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC). Lobbied for reauthorization of the CFATS program (H.R. 4470). Lobbied for Menendez amendment to H.R. 4367, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, to support CFATS inspector training. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in Murray ANS to H.R. 3935, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in 2025 NDAA. Lobbied on approach to cyber workforce proposal affecting DHS and other agencies. Emphasized concerns with a separate pay system and waiver of title 5 authority. FY 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations: Lobbied in support of the administrations FY25 funding request for TSA, in support of increased ICE funding to continue hiring for the Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), and in opposition to the administrations proposal to eliminate TSO staffing of exit lanes. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024. Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act for special retirement benefits for Federal Protective Service (FPS) employees.

Lobbied for Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7127/S. 3688, the "Federal Adjustment of Income Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 7.4%. Lobbied in support of H.R. 856/S. 274, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of expanded paid leave for instances of stillbirth. Lobbied in support of expanded paid bereavement leave to cover adult children under 26 years old. Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees. Urged Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to move with all due consideration and speed to confirm nominees to the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and in support of the confirmation of Anne Wagner to be a member of the Authority. FY 2025 Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations (H.R. 9029): Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA), in support of upgrading SSA legal assistants and customer service representatives positions, in support of report language directing SSA to roll back the average call handling time goal at teleservice centers and mandate call waiting time estimates to the public, in support of funds to renovate and restore National Personal Protection Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) facilities in Bruceton and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, in support of language stating that the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) user fees collected for leading the national respirator conformity assessment activities, including certification of respirators, will not expire with the fiscal year, and in support of increased funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Lobbied in support of H.R. 618 / S. 131, the "Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act" allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to diagnose, prescribe treatment, and certify an injury and the extent of disability for the purpose of compensating federal workers under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA). Lobbied in support of the Equal Remedies Act of 2024 to eliminate statutory damage caps and enhance protections for workers in discrimination cases. Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA). Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at EPA. H.R. 8998, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025: Lobbied against amendments proposed to H.R. 8997 when the House considered the measure that would have arbitrarily reduced that salaries of various officials whose agencies are funded by the bill, blocked enforcement of Executive Order 14019 - Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting, and reduced or eliminated funding for offices and programs at agencies covered by the bill. Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in support of hiring more EPA employees, in support of improving recruitment efforts at the EPA, and in opposition to relocations, consolidation and closure of EPA Facilities. Lobbied in opposition to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) facilities. Lobbied in support of report language that directs the Army Corps of Engineers to recognize the duty station for crew on a dredge to be the dredges home port and to pay for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals on all dredges when they travel further than 100 miles from the home port. Lobbied in support of funds to renovate and restore National Personal Protection Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) facilities in Bruceton and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, in support of language stating that the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) user fees collected for leading the national respirator conformity assessment activities, including certification of respirators, will not expire with the fiscal year. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Pointed out threats to federal employee health benefits should any future fiscal commission be allowed to consider this as a source for a deficit deal or appropriations compromises. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception and IVF. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

Lobbied the House and Senate Appropriations Committees in support of (1) increased funding for the Immigration and Custom Enforcements Office of Principal Legal Advisor, the legal representative of the federal government in immigration enforcement matters that come before immigration courts, (2) more resources for the ICE Health Service Corps (IHSC), the office within ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) responsible for providing health care for noncitizens detained in ICE custody; (3) more funding for the Citizenship and Immigration Services humanitarian programs, including refugee and asylum programs, through direct appropriation rather than fees; and (4) the establishment of a mandatory E-Verify program. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

FY 2025 Foreign Operations Appropriations --Lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State, U.S. Agency on International Aid (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the U.S. Agency on Global Media (USAGM) and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections. Lobbied against the use of generative AI voices at the USAGM. Lobbied against any potential RIF at USAGM. Lobbied to increase the administration cap at the MCC in the FY 2025 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. Lobbied against changes at the Voice of American at USAGM that would have the agency ditch its traditional short-wave broadcasts in favor of relying on social media. Lobbied in support of S. 4476, the State Department Integrity and Transparency Act, to strengthen the State Department by reducing the number of political appointees and creating more civil service positions. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

FY 2025 Agriculture Appropriations - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase in FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for USDA to improve conditions for workers at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the "Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act" led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied in support of H.R. 8994, the "Pigs and Public Health Act of 2024." Lobbied on the Farm Bill to ensure more labor friendly provisions. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

VA budget: Lobbied for Congress to provide funding to plug a $15 billion budget shortfall for FY 2024 and FY 2025. Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied on the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied for reforms to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied for oversight and improvements into VBA employee training. Lobbied on VBAs use of Performance Improvement Plans. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for the introduction and in support of H.R. 9046, the Board of Veterans Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act including the re-instatement of GS-14 career ladder position and the career path to a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the Veterans Appeals Backlog Improvement Act. Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans Appeals. Lobbied for additional training for Board of Veterans Appeals Attorneys. Lobbied in support of ANS to H.R. 1530, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for technical changes to S. 3979, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 6538, the VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023 and for its introduction in the Senate. Lobbied in support of S. 4046/H.R. 9855, the "VA Employee Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of and for changes to S. 2679, the Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Development (LEAD) Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 6531, the TRAIN VA Employees Act. HR modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 7127/S. 3688, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VA's authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 and 2025 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. VA Quality: Lobbied to amend H.R. 6330, the Veterans Sentinel Act to include data collection and analysis for suicides that happen when veterans are served at non-VA facilities. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VA's own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied against an amendment to H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 forcing VA to apply the same access standards for Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) as for primary care, specialty care, and non-institutional extended care services. Lobbied against amendments to H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 that would codify Trump-Era access standards responsible for rapid privatization of the VA, prohibit VA from modifying access standards to allow telehealth to satisfy these access standards and require VA to meet strict timeframes evaluating high-risk veterans for referral to residential treatment and rehabilitative programs without providing any additional funding to staff these new obligations. Lobbied against amendments to H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 that would require VA to meet 72-hour evaluation timeframe for evaluating high-risk veterans for residential treatment centers without providing adequate funding or putting equivalent credentialing and quality requirements on private programs. Lobbied against a proposal to create a pilot program under which the Secretary would contract out to fill vacancies at a medical facility with non-department health care providers. Lobbied against a provision in H.R. 9438, the No Wrong Door for Veterans Act, reduces the wait time for VA mental health care from the current 20 day to just 3 days. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 9146, Ensuring Continuity in Veterans Health Act, which would require the Secretary to include continuity of care as one of the criteria used to determine when private care would be in the best medical interest (BMI) of a veteran undermining VAs ability to decide when returning a veteran to the VA is the in the best interest of the veteran. Lobbied against the Veterans Mental Health Access Act, which would create a parallel private mental health program that supplants VAs direct care system rather than supplement it when veterans cannot reasonably access VA care. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, H.R. 1315, the Health Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3146, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VA's own healthcare. Lobbied for oversight of new VA private contracting program, the Integrated Critical Staffing Program. Lobbied for oversight of VA staffing reductions. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters. Lobbied for better information on scheduling and appointment times for both in-house VA and private care. Lobbied for more information about the costs of VA care. Lobbied against VA raising the ceiling for payment to third party private, Community Care contractors. Lobbied against prohibiting public health care programs from using QALYs to determine price. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act, and urge that it be defeated on the House floor. H.R. 485 would increase already high healthcare costs for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), which covers the vast majority of AFGE members and their families. In additional to FEHBP, the bill would prohibit Medicaid, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, Medicare Part D Plans (PDPs), the VA, and the Defense Health Agency from using Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) - a measure that ascertains the value of a drug - to make decisions about a drugs price. Medicare already prohibits the use of QALYs in ways that discriminate against the elderly (such as by valuing the extension of life of an older person as less than extending the life of a younger person). Lobbied against amendments to H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 that would: 1) codify Trump-Era access standards responsible for rapid privatization of the VA, prohibits VA from modifying access standards to allow telehealth to satisfy these access standards and requires VA to meet strict timeframes evaluating high-risk veterans for referral to residential treatment and rehabilitative programs without providing any additional funding to staff these new obligations and 2) require VA to meet 72-hour evaluation timeframe for evaluating high-risk veterans for residential treatment centers without providing adequate funding or putting equivalent credentialing and quality requirements on private programs. Lobbied against Amendment to H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 forcing VA to apply the same access standards for Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) as for primary care, specialty care, and non-institutional extended care services that would not apply to private RRTP facilities, promoting privatization. Lobbied against provisions in H.R. 8371, the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act that would allow decisions between a veteran and a doctor to remain final without VA authorization and provisions that would require strict timeframes for placement of high-risk veterans in mental health treatment programs for VA programs but not private programs. Statements and Correspondence: Submitted a statement for the record for a September 11, 2024 House Veterans Affairs Committee, Health Subcommittee legislative hearing. Submitted a statement for the record for a September 18, 2024 House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hearing titled Examining VAs Challenges with Ensuring Quality Contracted Disability Compensation Examinations. Testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs at a July 23, 2024 hearing on Is the Veterans Benefits Administration Properly Processing and Deciding Veterans Claims? Testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs at a July 10, 2024, hearing on Pending Legislation. Specific Legislation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 6538, the "VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of S. 4046/H.R. 9855, the VA Employee Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023." Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support" (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure, and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at VA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of VA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S. 2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 6531, the TRAIN VA Employees Act. Lobbied in support and for changes to S. 2679, the VA LEAD Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to S. 2649, the Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1315, the HEALTH Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the "VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the "Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the "VA Medical Center Security Report Act." Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act," which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the "Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act," which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Act, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the "Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act," which would set minimum nurse‐ patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including YA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied to preserve changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Lobbied for technical changes to S. 3979, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 7765, the VA Security Screening Pilot Program Act Lobbied for the introduction and support of the Board of Veterans Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 7793 the Veterans Appeals Operations Expansion Act of 2024; Lobbied for changes to H.R. 7917, the Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2024; Lobbied for changes to H.R. 7919, the Veterans Claims Quality Improvement Act of 2024. Lobbied or changes to H.R. 7883, the Toxic Exposures Examination Improvement Act Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 7734 the Personnel Integrity in Veterans Affairs Act of 2024 Lobbied in support of H.R. 9046, the Board of Veterans Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act Lobbied in support of H.R. 2971, the Veterans Claims Education Act of 2023 Lobbied for changes to H.R. 8874, the Modernizing All Veterans and Survivors Claims Processing Act Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 8879, the Improving VA Training for Military Sexual Trauma Claims Act Lobbied for changes to H.R. 8881, the Rural Veterans Improved Access to Benefits Act of 2024. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

Lobbied the House on the six FY 2025 appropriation bills that the House considered: H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025: Lobbied against amendments proposed for H.R. 8580 when the House considered the measure that would have arbitrarily reduced the salary of a VA official, encouraged the VA to use untested AI for the purpose of expediting claims, restricted the VAs ability to reduce the risk of firearms violence by veterans, and expanded privatization of VA services. Lobbied in support of amendments that would have enabled the VA to help protect veterans from firearms violence, protected the VAs ability to respond to a future COVID-19 outbreak, improved sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training for VA nurses, protected the VAs DEI programs, and addressed childcare deficiencies at military installations. H.R. 8752, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2025: Lobbied against amendments proposed for H.R. 8752 when the House considered the measure that would have arbitrarily reduced the salaries of various Homeland Security officials, reduced funding for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and blocked enforcement of Executive Order 14019 - Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting. Lobbied in support of amendments proposed for H.R. 8752, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2025, that would have restored funding levels for the TSA National Explosive Detection Canine Teams Program. H.R. 8771, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2025: Lobbied against amendments proposed to FY 8771 when the House considered it that would have prohibited funding to USAID, arbitrarily reduced the salaries of various officials, and blocked enforcement of Executive Order 14019 - Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting. H.R. 8774, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2025: Lobbied against amendments proposed for H.R. 8774 when the House considered the measure that would have arbitrarily reduced the salaries of various Defense Department officials, expanded the Defense Departments direct hire authority, blocked enforcement of Executive Order 14019 - Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting, restricted the Defense Departments authority to take certain health measures on military installations in the event of a future COVID-19 outbreak, prohibited certain telework and remote work for employees and contractors of the DoD. and restricted Defense Department diversity and inclusion programs. Lobbied in support of an amendment that would have prohibited the use of funds to collect payments from members of the District of Columbia National Guard who were federal civilian employees or D.C. employees entitled to leave without loss in pay or time from their civilian employment during mobilization. H.R. 8997, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025: Lobbied against amendments proposed to H.R. 8997 when the House considered it that would have arbitrarily reduced that salaries of various officials whose agencies are funded by the bill, blocked enforcement of Executive Order 14019 - Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting, and reduced funding for various Department of Energy offices and programs. H.R. 8998, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025: Lobbied against amendments proposed to H.R. 8997 when the House considered the measure that would have arbitrarily reduced that salaries of various officials whose agencies are funded by the bill, blocked enforcement of Executive Order 14019 - Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting, and reduced or eliminated funding for offices and programs at agencies covered by the bill. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 9494, the Continuing Appropriations and Other Matters Act, 2025. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 9747, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 to continue to fund the federal government through December 20, 2024.

FY 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations - Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE-Professionals, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support of including workforce language to make sure that bargaining unit employees retain their rights during a transition in a bill that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), returning it to being an independent agency. Lobbied in support of inclusion of title 5 collective bargaining rights and GS pay for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in the Rights for the "TSA Workforce Act," H.R. 8370/S. 4334. Lobbied for H.R. 8662 to consider the possibility of credit or compensation to TSOs who for their travel time from remote parking lots to their duty posts. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3394, the Fund the TSA Act to end the diversion of the passenger security fee to non-aviation security purposes, increase the fee and index it to inflation, and designation a portion of the proceeds to pay and bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers as well as for important technology investments. Lobbied for an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Provided technical assistance on the development of multiple pieces of legislation to end the fee, including provisions for technology investments. Lobbied for a requirement that Public Charter Flights be subject to passenger screening when they are on fixed routes, sell tickets by the seat and have more than nine passengers. Lobbied for additional regulations on private screening providers in California. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency. Lobbied for basic medical and technology supplies for nurses serving in the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC). Lobbied for reauthorization of the CFATS program (H.R. 4470). Lobbied for Menendez amendment to H.R. 4367, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, to support CFATS inspector training. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in Murray ANS to H.R. 3935, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Lobbied on approach to cyber workforce proposal affecting DHS and other agencies. Emphasized concerns with a separate pay system and waiver of Title 5 authority. FY 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations (H.R. 8752): Lobbied in support of the administrations FY25 funding request for TSA, in support of increased ICE funding to continue hiring for the Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA), and in opposition to the administrations proposal to eliminate TSO staffing of exit lanes.

Lobbied for Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7127/S. 3688, the "Federal Adjustment of lncome Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 7.4%. Lobbied in support of H.R. 856/S. 274, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees. Urged Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to move with all due consideration and speed to confirm nominees to the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and in support of the confirmation of Anne Wagner to be a member of the Authority. Lobbied in support of Suzanne Summerlin to be general counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. FY 2025 Labor Health and Human Services Appropriations (H.R. 9029): Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Social Security Administration (SSA), in support of upgrading SSA legal assistants and customer service representatives positions, in support of report language directing SSA to roll back the average call handling time goal at teleservice centers and mandate call waiting time estimates to the public, in support of funds to renovate and restore National Personal Protection Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) facilities in Bruceton and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, in support of language stating that the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) user fees collected for leading the national respirator conformity assessment activities, including certification of respirators, will not expire with the fiscal year, and in support of increased funding for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Lobbied in support of H.R. 618 / S. 131, the "Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act" allowing nurse practitioners and physician assistants to diagnose, prescribe treatment, and certify an injury and the extent of disability for the purpose of compensating federal workers under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA).

FY 2025 Foreign Operations Appropriations --Lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State, U.S. Agency on International Aid (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the U.S. Agency on Global Media (USAGM) and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections. Lobbied against the use of generative AI voices at the USAGM. Lobbied against any potential RIF at USAGM. Lobbied to increase the administration cap at the MCC in the FY 2025 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill. Lobbied against changes at the Voice of American at USAGM that would have the agency ditch its traditional short wave broadcasts in favor of relying on social media.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Pointed out threats to federal employee health benefits should any future fiscal commission be allowed to consider this as a source for a deficit deal or appropriations compromises. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception.

Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied to preserve language in H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Lobbied for reforms to the VBA National Work Queue. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for the re-instatement of GS-14 career ladder position. Lobbied for the creation of a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re- instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the Veterans Appeals Backlog Improvement Act. Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans Appeals. Lobbied for additional training for Board of Veterans Appeals Attorneys. Lobbied in support of ANS to H.R. 1530, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for technical changes to S. 3979, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 6538, the VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023 and for its introduction in the Senate. Lobbied in support of S. 4046 of "VA Employee Fairness Act, and for its reintroduction in the House of Representatives. Lobbied in support of and for changes to S. 2679, the Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Development (LEAD) Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 6531, the TRAIN VA Employees Act. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 7765, the VA Security Screening Pilot Program Act VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 7127/S. 3688, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VA's authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 and 2025 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VA's own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, H.R. 1315, the Health Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3146, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VA's own healthcare. Lobbied for oversight of new VA private contracting program, the Integrated Critical Staffing Program. Lobbied for oversight of VA staffing reductions. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters. Lobbied for better information on scheduling and appointment times for both in-house VA and private care. Lobbied for more information about the costs of VA care. Lobbied against VA raising the ceiling for payment to third party private, Community Care contractors. Lobbied against prohibiting public health care programs from using QALYs to determine price. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act, and urge that it be defeated on the House floor. H.R. 485 would increase already high healthcare costs for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), which covers the vast majority of AFGE members and their families. In additional to FEHBP, the bill would prohibit Medicaid, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, Medicare Part D Plans (PDPs), the VA, and the Defense Health Agency from using Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) - a measure that ascertains the value of a drug - to make decisions about a drugs price. Medicare already prohibits the use of QALYs in ways that discriminate against the elderly (such as by valuing the extension of life of an older person as less than extending the life of a younger person). Lobbied against amendments to H.R. 8070, the Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 that would: 1) codify Trump-Era access standards responsible for rapid privatization of the VA, prohibits VA from modifying access standards to allow telehealth to satisfy these access standards and requires VA to meet strict timeframes evaluating high-risk veterans for referral to residential treatment and rehabilitative programs without providing any additional funding to staff these new obligations and 2) require VA to meet 72-hour evaluation timeframe for evaluating high-risk veterans for residential treatment centers without providing adequate funding or putting equivalent credentialing and quality requirements on private programs. Lobbied against Amendment to H.R. 8580, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2025 forcing VA to apply the same access standards for Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program (MH RRTP) as for primary care, specialty care, and non-institutional extended care services that would not apply to private RRTP facilities, promoting privatization. Lobbied against provisions In H.R. 8371, the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act that would allow decisions between a veteran and a doctor to remain final without VA authorization and provisions that would require strict timeframes for placement of high-risk veterans in mental health treatment programs for VA programs but not private programs. Statements and Correspondence: Sente a letter to the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs for an April 16, 2024 subcommittee markup. Sent a letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee for a May 1, 2024 full committee markup. Testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on May 16 at a hearing titled Ensuring VA's Security: How Can Congress Best Support VA's Law Enforcement? Testified before the House Veterans Affairs Committee on June 13, 2024 at hearing titled A Call to Action: Meeting the Needs of the Spinal Cord Injury and Disorders (SCI/D) Veteran Community. Testified before the House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs at a hearing titled Examining Shortcomings with VAs National Work Queue Veterans Benefits Claims Management System. Specific Legislation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 6538, the "VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of S. 4046, the VA Employee Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023." Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support" (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure, and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at VA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of VA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 6531, the TRAIN VA Employees Act. Lobbied in support and for changes to S. 2679, the VA LEAD Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to S. 2649, the Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1315, the HEALTH Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the "VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the "Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the "VA Medical Center Security Report Act." Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act," which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the "Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act," which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Ace, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the "Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act," which would set minimum nurse‐ patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including YA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied to preserve changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Lobbied for technical changes to S. 3979, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 7765, the VA Security Screening Pilot Program Act Lobbied for the introduction and support of the Board of Veterans Appeals Attorney Retention and Backlog Reduction Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 7793 the Veterans Appeals Operations Expansion Act of 2024; Lobbied for changes to H.R. 7917, the Veterans Appeals Efficiency Act of 2024; Lobbied for changes to H.R. 7919, the Veterans Claims Quality Improvement Act of 2024. Lobbied or changes to H.R. 7883, the Toxic Exposures Examination Improvement Act Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 7734 the Personnel Integrity in Veterans Affairs Act of 2024

FY 2025 Agriculture Appropriations - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for USDA to improve conditions for workers at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the "Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act" led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern.

FY 2025 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations - Lobbied for increased funding for railroad safety inspectors to 400 inspectors and to add new staff to carry out multidisciplinary safety audits. This represents all inspectors in Occupational Series GS-2121, including specialties of hazardous materials, motive power and equipment, operating practices, signal and train control and track inspectors as well as the grade crossing and trespasser outreach inspectors which are not in the series. Lobbied in support of $160,000 in funding for each position. Lobbied for report language directing the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to review position classification standards of railroad safety inspectors to reflect the increased technological requirements of their positions. Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use.

Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at EPA. FY 2024 and FY 2025 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 on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in support of hiring more EPA employees, in support of improving recruitment efforts at the EPA, and in opposition to relocations, consolidation and closure of EPA Facilities. Lobbied in opposition to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) facilities. Lobbied in support of report language that directs the Army Corps of Engineers to recognize the duty station for crew on a dredge to be the dredges home port and to pay for travel, lodging, meals, and incidentals on all dredges when they travel further than 100 miles from the home port. Lobbied in support of funds to renovate and restore National Personal Protection Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) facilities in Bruceton and Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, in support of language stating that the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) user fees collected for leading the national respirator conformity assessment activities, including certification of respirators, will not expire with the fiscal year.

FY 2025 Homeland Security Appropriations (H.R. 8752): Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees including at CIS and ICE. Lobbied in support of the administrations FY25 funding requests, including in support of increased ICE funding to continue hiring for the Office of Principal Legal Advisor (OPLA). Lobbied for basic medical and technology supplies for nurses serving in the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC). Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to protect increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4963 and S. 738, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Lobbied for H.R. 4535 and S. 1174, a bill to ensure the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to Americas social insurance programs, known as the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act. Lobbied to make sure the Trump tax cuts set to sunset in 2025 expire as scheduled.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the "SHOW UP Act" and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for a 7.4% increase in federal by for 2025 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill, H.R. 8773. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of Income Rates) Act, H.R. 7127 and S. 3688 to provide a 7.4% increase to federal employees pay in 2025. Lobbied for a minimum of parity in the 2025 pay between military and civilian employees to provide at least a 4.5% pay raise. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against enactment of new excepted service and direct-hire authorities proposed in various bills including the NDAA. Lobbied for greater ethics disclosures for contractors working within the federal government, e.g., within the Cyber Reserve service. Lobbied in favor of higher bonuses for federal workers who recommend cost-saving improvements in their agencies. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the "Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act;" lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank-and-file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied against resolutions of disapproval to overturn DC Laws, including H.J. Res. 24, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 and H.J. Res. 26, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the "Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 866, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries' cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the "Chance to Compete Act of 2023," and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the Presidents FY 2025 budget request to continue GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied in support of the Fund the "TSA Act," H.R. 3394. Lobbied in support of the Rights for the "TSA Workforce Act," H.R. 8370 / S. 4334 to provide full title 5 collective bargaining rights for transportation security officers. Lobbied in support of the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of additional security measures for scheduled charter flights so they are fully subject to TSA screening. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the "Military Spouse Employment Act." Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act of 2023" to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied for passage of S. 3029, the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act. Lobbied against FY 2025 appropriations amendments to require excessive reporting on telework and remote work, ban mask mandates, and reduce federal spending below Fiscal Responsibility Act targets. Lobbied for changes to S. 3015, the Telework Reform Act of 2023 to protect competitive service hiring. Lobbied for changes to S. 4043, the Telework Transparency Act of 2024 to prevent arbitrary office space reductions and/or telework restrictions. Lobbied against the Perry amendment to the NDAA bill (H.R. 8070) to question to role of official time by ordering a biased reporting its use in the federal workplace. Lobbied against a proposed Scott amendment to the NDAA bill (H.R. 8070) to curtail collective bargaining rights for dual status technicians employed by the Defense Department. Lobbied against H.R 4848, the Censorship Accountability Act, which would expose federal employees performing their lawful duties to personal civil liability over purported intrusions into the First Amendment. Provided technical assistance to House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce for its September 14, 2023, hearing: Oversight of Federal Agencies Post-Pandemic Telework Policies. Lobbied against Senate proposal to expand excepted hiring in the Defense Departments Artificial Intelligence Office. Lobbied for expansion of FMLA eligibility expansion to credit military service, provision which was enacted in the NDAA. Lobbied for changes to OPMs proposed governmentwide cybersecurity workforce proposal to preserve title 5 provisions, protect collective bargaining rights, and avoid pay banding systems that are associated with arbitrary or discriminatory treatment. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation - HUD

Lobbied against proposals in the Senate and House for the FY25 National Defense Authorization Act to (1) expand the Defense Departments direct hire authority for various vacant civilian positions, (2) direct DoD to issue a misleading report on official time, (3) change the employment status of dual service military technicians, (4) expand Title 5 preference eligibility for DoD civilian positions, and (4) make changes to the Defense Civilian Acquisition Workforce Personnel Demonstration Project. Lobbied in support of restoring language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent the appropriate analysis of the effects of these reductions on Defense Department capabilities. Lobbied in support of language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent an analysis of the effects of such reduction on workload and military readiness of the armed forces. Lobbied against any proposal to prohibit military exchanges and commissaries from selling Chinese-made products. Lobbied against an amendment authorizing direct hire authority for any position supporting the military mission or posture in the Indo-Pacific region. Lobbied in opposition to an amendment 315 prohibiting telework and remote work for certain DoD employees and contractors. Lobbied against an amendment prohibiting funding for Executive Order 14019, relating to Promoting Access to Voting. Lobbied in opposition to amendments to reduce the salaries of various DoD officials. Lobbied against an amendment prohibiting the use of funds to carry out a mask mandate regarding the spread of COVID-19 on military instillations. Lobbied against an amendment to eliminate funding for important DEIA programs at the Defense Department. Lobbied in support of amendments to ensure that federal civilian employees who serve in the D. C. National Guard are treated the same as all other federal civilian employees who serve in the National Guard.

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 for the, "Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023" led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for progressive, worker friendly provisions in the Farm Bill. Lobbied in support of H.R. 8994, the "Pigs and Public Health Act of 2024." Lobbied on the Farm Bill to ensure more labor friendly provisions.

Lobbied Congress to require Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide safe staffing and workplace safety measures for correctional officers. Lobbied in opposition to augmentation and in support of full staffing, funding and workplace safety for correctional officers and all BOP staff. Lobbied in support of time and a half true overtime for BOP nurses FY 2025 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations. Lobbied for higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum-security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. Lobbied in support of H.R. 130 and S. 459, the "Thin Blue Line Act," which would make murdering a law enforcement officer an aggravated factor in sentencing for a capital crime. Lobbied in support of S. 529, "Eric's Law" which would allow the empaneling of a new jury if a jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict in a trial involving the murder of a law enforcement officer. Lobbied in support of full multilingual opportunities and adequate compensation for employees at the Small Business Administration. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3019, Federal Prison Oversight Act. Lobbied in support of S. 4142, the Lieutenant Osvaldo Albarati Stopping Prison Contraband Act introduced by Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) to crack down on the smuggling of contraband cellphones into federal prisons by upgrading the charge for such smuggling from a misdemeanor offense to a felony. Lobbied in support of H.R. 8298 / S. 4327, the Equal Remedies Act of 2024. Lobbied in support of increased funding for the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) for salaries and expenses (S&E) and buildings and facilities (B&F). Lobbied in support of increased funding for BOP Salary Special Pay Table Increase. Lobbied in opposition to the use of augmentation or reassignment at BOP. Lobbied in support of hiring additional correctional officers. Lobbied in support of increasing Unit Officer Staff at High Security Institutions. Lobbied in support of report language to direct the Bureau of Prisons to give nurses full time-and-a-half overtime pay. Lobbied in support of increased funding for staffing at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Lobbied in support of Justice Prisoner and Alien Transportation System (JPATS) to include report language stating that no funds shall be used to transfer functions of JPATS Las Vegas, Nevada Hub to Kansas City, Missouri. Lobbied in support increased funding for the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC).

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to protect increased funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4963 and S. 738, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Lobbied for H.R. 4535 and S. 1174, a bill to ensure the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to Americas social insurance programs, known as the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act."

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Pointed out threats to federal employee health benefits should a fiscal commission be allowed to consider this as a source for a deficit deal or appropriations compromises. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the "SHOW UP Act" and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for a 7.4% increase in federal by for 2025 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of lncome Rates) Act, H.R. 7127, and S. 3688 to provide an 7.4% increase in federal employees' pay in 2025. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against enactment of new excepted service and direct-hire authorities proposed in various bills including the NDAA. Lobbied for greater ethics disclosures for contractors working within the federal government, e.g., within the Cyber Reserve service. Lobbied in favor of higher bonuses for federal workers who recommend cost-saving improvements in their agencies. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the "Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act;" lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank-and-file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied against resolutions of disapproval to overturn DC Laws, including H.J. Res. 24, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 and H.J. Res. 26, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the "Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act." Lobbied in support to H.R. 866, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries' cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the "Chance to Compete Act of 2023," and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee and lobbied this issue in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the Fund the TSA Act, H.R. 3394, and for full title 5 collective bargaining rights for transportation security officers. Lobbied in support of the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of additional security measures for scheduled charter flights so they are fully subject to TSA screening. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the "Military Spouse Employment Act." Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act of 2023" to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied for passage of S. 3029, the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act. Lobbied against FY 2024 appropriations amendments to require excessive reporting on telework and remote work, ban mask mandates, and reduce federal spending below Fiscal Responsibility Act targets. Lobbied for changes to S. 3015, the Telework Reform Act of 2023 to protect competitive service hiring. Lobbied for changes to S. 4043, the Telework Transparency Act of 2024 to prevent arbitrary office space reductions and/or telework restrictions. Lobbied against H.R 4848, the Censorship Accountability Act, which would expose federal employees performing their lawful duties to personal civil liability over purported intrusions into the First Amendment. Provided technical assistance to House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce for its September 14, 2023, hearing: Oversight of Federal Agencies Post-Pandemic Telework Policies. Lobbied against Senate proposal to expand excepted hiring in the Defense Departments Artificial Intelligence Office. Lobbied for expansion of FMLA eligibility expansion to credit military service, provision which was enacted in the NDAA. Lobbied for changes to OPMs proposed governmentwide cybersecurity workforce proposal to preserve title 5 provisions, protect collective bargaining rights, and avoid pay banding systems that are associated with arbitrary or discriminatory treatment. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation - HUD

Pursued requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills and CRs: Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation - HUD Opposed measures to cut federal employees pay and benefits in appropriations and the continuing resolution and against a government shutdown. Lobbied for a 7.4% in federal by for 2025 in the FY 2025 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for funds for hiring additional personnel at the Federal Labor Relations Authority in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for pay for Transportation Security Officers in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for personnel in the Office of Principal Legal Advisor at Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for more resources for personnel who conduct work in refugee, asylum and other humanitarian programs at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for more Railroad Safety Inspectors and better pay for existing inspectors at the Federal Railroad Administration in the FY 2024 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill and in the Railway Safety Act (H.R. 1674/S. 576). Lobbied for additional Social Security Administration (SSA) funding in the FY 2024 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of full-year appropriations for FY24 and for short-term continuing appropriations that do not include arbitrary and harmful across-the-board cuts to federal agencies, establish a fiscal commission that would likely recommend deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the federal civil service, and any number of other essential programs and services. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 5779, H.R. Fiscal Commission Act of 2023; S. 3262, the Fiscal Stability Act of 2023; and H.R. 710, the Sustainable Budget Act and any other efforts to create a commission charged with cutting or eliminating benefits for federal employees. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 6276, the Use It Act of 2023 and pointed out its detrimental effects on morale, recruitment and retention of employees. Commented on legislation in development in the Senate to incorporate similar building occupancy and utilization assessments. Lobbied in support of language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent an analysis of the effects of such reduction on workload and military readiness of the armed forces. Lobbied in support of H.R. 2882, an FY 2024 minibus appropriations bill, to fund federal agencies, secure pay increases for Transportation Security Officers, and other purposes.

Lobbied for Cathy Harris to serve as Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Lobbied for Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7127/S. 3688, the "Federal Adjustment of lncome Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 7.4%. Lobbied in support of H.R. 856/S. 274, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees. Urged Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to move with all due consideration and speed to confirm nominees to the Federal Labor Relations Authority, and in support of the confirmation of Anne Wagner to be a member of the Authority.

FY 2024 Foreign Operations Appropriations --Lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State, U.S. Agency on International Aid (USAID), the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), the U.S. Agency on Global Media (USAGM) and the Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections. Lobbied against the use of generative AI voices at the USAGM. Lobbied against any potential RIF at USAGM. Lobbied to increase the administration cap at the MCC in the FY 2024 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations bill.

Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at EPA. FY 2024 and FY 2025 Interior and Environmental Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of lnterior (DOI) employees. Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Lobbied in support of language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts to restore language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent the appropriate analysis of the effects of these reductions on Defense Department capabilities. The language was not included in the package of FY24 appropriations bills that was enacted in March. Arranged meetings between AFGE members employed by Army, Navy, and Marine Corps fire departments and DoD fire chiefs to discuss labor-management issues.

Lobbied Congress to require Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide safe staffing and workplace safety measures for correctional officers. Lobbied in opposition to augmentation and in support of full staffing, funding and workplace safety for correctional officers and all BOP staff. Lobbied in support of time and a half true overtime for BOP nurses FY 2024 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations. Lobbied for higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum-security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. Lobbied in support of H.R. 130 and S. 459, the Thin Blue Line Act, which would make murdering a law enforcement officer an aggravated factor in sentencing for a capital crime. Lobbied in support of S. 529, Eric's Law which would allow the empaneling of a new jury if a jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict in a trial involving the murder of a law enforcement officer. Lobbied in support of full multilingual opportunities and adequate compensation for employees at the Small Business Administration. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3019, Federal Prison Oversight Act.

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 for the, "Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023" led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for progressive, worker friendly provisions in the Farm Bill.

Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied to preserve language in H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Lobbied for reforms to the VBA National Work Queue. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for the re-instatement of GS-14 career ladder position. Lobbied for the creation of a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R.1378, the Veterans Appeals Backlog Improvement Act. Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans Appeals. Lobbied for additional training for Board of Veterans Appeals Attorneys. Lobbied in support of ANS to H.R. 1530, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for technical changes to S. 3979, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 6538, the VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023 and for its introduction in the Senate. Lobbied in support S. 4046 of "VA Employee Fairness Act, and for its reintroduction in the House of Representatives. Lobbied in support of and for changes to S. 2679, the Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Development (LEAD) Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 6531, the TRAIN VA Employees Act. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 7765, the VA Security Screening Pilot Program Act VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 7127/S. 3688, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VA's authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VA's own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, H.R. 1315, the Health Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3146, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VA's own healthcare. Lobbied for oversight of new VA private contracting program, the Integrated Critical Staffing Program. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters. Lobbied for better information on scheduling and appointment times for both in-house VA and private care. Lobbied for more information about the costs of VA care. Lobbied against VA raising the ceiling for payment to third party private, Community Care contractors. Lobbied against prohibiting public health care programs from using QALYs to determine price. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act, and urge that it be defeated on the House floor. H.R. 485 would increase already high healthcare costs for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), which covers the vast majority of AFGE members and their families. In additional to FEHBP, the bill would prohibit Medicaid, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, Medicare Part D Plans (PDPs), the VA, and the Defense Health Agency from using Quality Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) - a measure that ascertains the value of a drug - to make decisions about a drugs price. Medicare already prohibits the use of QALYs in ways that discriminate against the elderly (such as by valuing the extension of life of an older person as less than extending the life of a younger person). Statements and Correspondence: Testified at a March 21, 2024, House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Hearing on Pending Legislation Specific Legislation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 6538, the "VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of S. 4046, the VA Employee Fairness Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023." Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support" (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure, and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at YA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of VA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 6531, the TRAIN VA Employees Act. Lobbied in support and for changes to S. 2679, the VA LEAD Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to S. 2649, the Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1315, the HEALTH Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 485, the Protecting Health Care for All Patients Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the "VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the "Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the "VA Medical Center Security Report Act." Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act," which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the "Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act," which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Ace, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the "Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act," which would set minimum nurse‐ patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including YA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied to preserve changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Lobbied for technical changes to S. 3979, to make permanent and codify the pilot program for use of contract physicians for disability examinations, and for other purposes. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 7765, the VA Security Screening Pilot Program Act

FY 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations -- Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use.

FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations - Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE-Professionals, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support of including workforce language to make sure that bargaining unit employees retain their rights during a transition in a bill that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), returning it to being an independent agency. Lobbied in support of inclusion of title 5 collective bargaining rights and GS pay for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act and in the National Defense Authorization Act, and for stand-alone legislation. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3394, the Fund the TSA Act to end the diversion of the passenger security fee to non-aviation security purposes, increase the fee and index it to inflation, and designation a portion of the proceeds to pay and bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers as well as for important technology investments. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency. Lobbied for basic medical and technology supplies for nurses serving in the ICE Health Services Corps (IHSC). Lobbied for reauthorization of the CFATS program (H.R. 4470). Lobbied for Menendez amendment to H.R. 4367, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, to support CFATS inspector training. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in Murray ANS to H.R. 3935, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Lobbied Senate staff engaged in negotiating provisions of the bipartisan Murphy-Lanford-Sinema measure on border security that the Senate failed to advance in February, specifically on the effect that certain changes to asylum law would have on USCIS asylum operations and procedures along the southwest border and U.S. obligations under international law. Lobbied on approach to cyber workforce proposal affecting DHS and other agencies. Emphasized concerns with a separate pay system and waiver of title 5 authority. Lobbied for changes to S. 3015, the Lankford-Sinema Telework Reform Act of 2023 to preserve competitive hiring and collective bargaining agreements.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the "SHOW UP Act" and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of lncome Rates) Act, H.R. 536 and S. 124 to provide an 8.7% increase in federal employees' pay in 2024. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against enactment of new excepted service and direct-hire authorities proposed in various bills including the NDAA. Lobbied for greater ethics disclosures for contractors working within the federal government, e.g., within the Cyber Reserve service. Lobbied in favor of higher bonuses for federal workers who recommend cost-saving improvements in their agencies. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the "Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act;" lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank-and-file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied against resolutions of disapproval to overturn DC Laws, including H.J. Res. 24, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 and H.J. Res. 26, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the "Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act." Lobbied in support to H.R. 866, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries' cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the "Chance to Compete Act of 2023," and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee and lobbied this issue in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the "Military Spouse Employment Act." Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act of 2023" to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied for passage of S. ____, the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act Lobbied against FY 2024 appropriations amendments to require excessive reporting on telework and remote work, ban mask mandates, and reduce federal spending below Fiscal Responsibility Act targets Lobbied for changes to Telework Reform Act of 2023 to protect competitive service hiring. Provided technical assistance to House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce for its September 14, 2023 hearing: Oversight of Federal Agencies Post-Pandemic Telework Policies. Lobbied against Senate proposal to expand excepted hiring in the Defense Departments Artificial Intelligence Office. Lobbied for expansion of FMLA eligibility expansion to credit military service. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation-HUD Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Foreign Operations Appropriations --lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State employees and the funding level for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied to prevent a Reduction in Force (RIF) at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections. Lobbied against the use of generative AI voices at the USAGM. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Pursued requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation-HUD Opposed measures to cut federal employees pay and benefits in appropriations and the continuing resolution and against a government shutdown. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for funds for hiring additional personnel at the Federal Labor Relations Authority in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for pay for Transportation Security Officers in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for personnel in the Office of Principal Legal Advisor at Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for personnel who conduct work in refugee, asylum and other humanitarian programs at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services be funded through appropriated funds rather than through fees for other CIS services in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for more Railroad Safety Inspectors and better pay for existing inspectors at the Federal Railroad Administration in the FY 2024 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill and in the Railway Safety Act (H.R. 1674/S. 576). Lobbied to restore budget and personnel cuts at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, funded through the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 5525, the Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024, legislation to implement arbitrary and harmful across-the-board cuts to most federal agencies and establish a fiscal commission that would likely recommend deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the federal civil service, and any number of other essential programs and services. Lobbied in opposition to amendments to implement the Holman Rule to reduce salaries of several federal officers to $1, cut DEIA programs in federal agencies, reduce health and safety protections including mask mandates, and amendments to cut funding for several agencies to several appropriations bills: H.R. 4820, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4821, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4367, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, 2024 H.R. 4665, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 Lobbied in support of SA 1092 to the bill H.R. 4366 in the Senate Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 5779, Fiscal Commission Act of 2023 and any other efforts to create a commission charged with cutting or eliminating benefits for federal employees. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied on the following issues in the H.R. 2670 Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Authorization in the House and S. 2226 Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in the Senate: Lobbied for defeat of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would prohibit military commissaries and exchanges from selling Chinese-made good. Lobbied for defeat of amendments offered to H.R. 2670 that would undermine the Defense Departments authority to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the civilian workforce. Lobbied for defeat of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would prohibit official time from being authorized for Department of Defense employees. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would direct the Defense Department to establish a safety performance rating system for prospective contractors based on their record of worker health and safety violations. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would lower the mandatory disclosure threshold for contractors to provide certified cost and pricing information from $2,000,000 to $750,000. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would reform and increase pay for federal wildland firefighters. Lobbied for defeat of amendment offered to S. 2226 that would limit the authority of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to make decisions about its investment offerings. Lobbied for defeat of amendments offered to S. 2226 that would restrict the use of official time by Defense Department employees engaged in workplace representation. Sent numerous letters to Members of Congress expressing AFGEs views on H.R. 2670 and S. 2226. Provided analysis and feedback to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on provisions in S. 2226 and H.R. 2670 affecting DoD civilian employees. Provided input to a House inquiry concerning proposed changes to the Navys Fleet Readiness Centers aircraft maintenance protocols that would affect civilian employees. Lobbied the House of Representatives on H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 that the House adopted in September: Lobbied against amendments that would prohibit telework for Defense Department civilian employees, reduce the salaries of senior Defense Department officers, and prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Lobbied in support of an amendment that would restore language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent the appropriate analysis of the effects of these reductions on Defense Department capabilities. Sent numerous letters to House members expressing AFGEs views on H.R. 4365 Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied in support of a strong collective bargaining agreement with full rights and protections for EPA workers. Lobbied in support of strong DEIA protections in EPA bargaining contract and comprehensive scientific integrity in the labor contract to ensure that employees can perform the mission of the agency with dignity and respect. Lobbied in support of strong protections for all employees including transgender employees. FY 2024 Interior and Environmental Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department oflnterior (DOI) employees. Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. FY 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL) facilities, human capital authority at NETL and cuts in funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023 led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for progressive, worker friendly provisions in the Farm Bill. Lobbied against H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Specifically lobbied against amendments to H.R. 4368 that proposed to reduce the salaries of various Agriculture Department and FDA officials and to reduce funding for the Agricultural Research Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations - Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE-Professionals, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support of including workforce language to make sure that bargaining unit employees retain their rights during a transition in a bill that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), returning it to being an independent agency. Lobbied in support of inclusion of title 5 collective bargaining rights and GS pay for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act and in the National Defense Authorization Act. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3394, the Fund the TSA Act to end the diversion of the passenger security fee to non-aviation security purposes, increase the fee and index it to inflation, and designation a portion of the proceeds to pay and bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers as well as for important technology investments. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency. Lobbied for reauthorization of the CFATS program (H.R. 4470) Lobbied for Menendez amendment to H.R. 4367, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, to support CFATS inspector training. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in Murray ANS to H.R. 3935, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Lobbied Senate staff engaged in immigration and homeland security matters to raise awareness about the impact of the Department of Homeland Securitys Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule on USCIS asylum and refugee officers. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Pointed out threats to federal employee health benefits should a fiscal commission be allowed to consider this as a source for deficit control. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations, Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for reintroduction of the "Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act." Lobbied for USDA to improve conditions for workers at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023 led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4963 and S. 738, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Lobbied for H.R. 4535 and S. 1174, a bill to ensure the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to Americas social insurance programs, known as the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to raise awareness among House and Senate staff engaged in immigration and homeland security matters about the impact of the Department of Homeland Securitys Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule on USCIS asylum and refugee officers. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for the re-instatement ofGS-14 career ladder position. Lobbied for the creation of a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R.1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TB!), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied to amend 38 USC 7422. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VA's authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VA's own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, H.R. 1315, the Health Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3146, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act. , which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VA's own healthcare. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters: Statements and Correspondence: Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for its July 12, 2023, legislative hearing. Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Health for its July 18, 2023 markup. Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for its July 19, 2023, markup. Sent a joint union letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee for its July 26, 2023, markup. Submitted a Statement for the Record to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee July 26, 2023 hearing titled Implementing the PACT Act: One Year Later. Submitted a Statement for the Record to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee July 26, 2023 hearing titled VA Disability Exams: Are Veterans Receiving Quality Services? Specific Legislation: Lobbied for reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of2023." Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support" (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at YA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of YA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to amend parts of the "VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act." Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 2679, the VA LEAD Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the "VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the "Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the "VA Medical Center Security Report Act." Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act," which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the "Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act," which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Ace, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the "Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act," which would set minimum nurse patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including YA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied for Cathy Harris to serve as a member of and Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Lobbied for confirmation of Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor. Lobbied for confirmation Kalpana Kotagal to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and her ultimate confirmation on July 14, 2023. Lobbied in support ofH.R. 536/S. 124, the "Federal Adjustment oflncome Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 8.7%. Lobbied in support of H.R. 856/S. 274, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees. Urged Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to move with all due consideration and speed to confirm nominees to the Federal Labor Relations Authority when nominations are received from the Administration. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Foreign Operations Appropriations --lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State employees and the funding level for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied to prevent a Reduction in Force (RIF) at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections. Lobbied against the use of generative AI voices at the USAGM. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the "SHOW UP Act" and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of lncome Rates) Act, H.R. 536 and S. 124 to provide an 8.7% increase in federal employees' pay in 2024. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against enactment of new excepted service and direct-hire authorities proposed in various bills including the NDAA. Lobbied for greater ethics disclosures for contractors working within the federal government, e.g., within the Cyber Reserve service. Lobbied in favor of higher bonuses for federal workers who recommend cost-saving improvements in their agencies. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the "Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act;" lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank-and-file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied against resolutions of disapproval to overturn DC Laws, including H.J. Res. 24, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 and H.J. Res. 26, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the "Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act." Lobbied in support to H.R. 866, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries' cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the "Chance to Compete Act of 2023," and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee and lobbied this issue in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the "Military Spouse Employment Act." Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act of 2023" to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied for passage of S. ____, the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act Lobbied against FY 2024 appropriations amendments to require excessive reporting on telework and remote work, ban mask mandates, and reduce federal spending below Fiscal Responsibility Act targets Lobbied for changes to Telework Reform Act of 2023 to protect competitive service hiring. Provided technical assistance to House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce for its September 14, 2023 hearing: Oversight of Federal Agencies Post-Pandemic Telework Policies. Lobbied against Senate proposal to expand excepted hiring in the Defense Departments Artificial Intelligence Office. Lobbied for expansion of FMLA eligibility expansion to credit military service. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation-HUD Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4963 and S. 738, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Lobbied for H.R. 4535 and S. 1174, a bill to ensure the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to Americas social insurance programs, known as the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for the re-instatement ofGS-14 career ladder position. Lobbied for the creation of a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R.1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TB!), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied to amend 38 USC 7422. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VA's authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VA's own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, H.R. 1315, the Health Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3146, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act. , which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VA's own healthcare. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters: Statements and Correspondence: Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for its July 12, 2023, legislative hearing. Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Health for its July 18, 2023 markup. Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for its July 19, 2023, markup. Sent a joint union letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee for its July 26, 2023, markup. Submitted a Statement for the Record to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee July 26, 2023 hearing titled Implementing the PACT Act: One Year Later. Submitted a Statement for the Record to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee July 26, 2023 hearing titled VA Disability Exams: Are Veterans Receiving Quality Services? Specific Legislation: Lobbied for reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of2023." Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support" (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at YA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of YA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to amend parts of the "VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act." Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 2679, the VA LEAD Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the "VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the "Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the "VA Medical Center Security Report Act." Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act," which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the "Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act," which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Ace, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the "Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act," which would set minimum nurse patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including YA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for reintroduction of the "Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act." Lobbied for USDA to improve conditions for workers at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023 led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied on the following issues in the H.R. 2670 Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Authorization in the House and S. 2226 Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in the Senate: Lobbied for defeat of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would prohibit military commissaries and exchanges from selling Chinese-made good. Lobbied for defeat of amendments offered to H.R. 2670 that would undermine the Defense Departments authority to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the civilian workforce. Lobbied for defeat of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would prohibit official time from being authorized for Department of Defense employees. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would direct the Defense Department to establish a safety performance rating system for prospective contractors based on their record of worker health and safety violations. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would lower the mandatory disclosure threshold for contractors to provide certified cost and pricing information from $2,000,000 to $750,000. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would reform and increase pay for federal wildland firefighters. Lobbied for defeat of amendment offered to S. 2226 that would limit the authority of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to make decisions about its investment offerings. Lobbied for defeat of amendments offered to S. 2226 that would restrict the use of official time by Defense Department employees engaged in workplace representation. Sent numerous letters to Members of Congress expressing AFGEs views on H.R. 2670 and S. 2226. Provided analysis and feedback to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on provisions in S. 2226 and H.R. 2670 affecting DoD civilian employees. Provided input to a House inquiry concerning proposed changes to the Navys Fleet Readiness Centers aircraft maintenance protocols that would affect civilian employees. Lobbied the House of Representatives on H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 that the House adopted in September: Lobbied against amendments that would prohibit telework for Defense Department civilian employees, reduce the salaries of senior Defense Department officers, and prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Lobbied in support of an amendment that would restore language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent the appropriate analysis of the effects of these reductions on Defense Department capabilities. Sent numerous letters to House members expressing AFGEs views on H.R. 4365 Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Pointed out threats to federal employee health benefits should a fiscal commission be allowed to consider this as a source for deficit control. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023 led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for progressive, worker friendly provisions in the Farm Bill. Lobbied against H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Specifically lobbied against amendments to H.R. 4368 that proposed to reduce the salaries of various Agriculture Department and FDA officials and to reduce funding for the Agricultural Research Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to raise awareness among House and Senate staff engaged in immigration and homeland security matters about the impact of the Department of Homeland Securitys Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule on USCIS asylum and refugee officers. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations, Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations - Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE-Professionals, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support of including workforce language to make sure that bargaining unit employees retain their rights during a transition in a bill that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), returning it to being an independent agency. Lobbied in support of inclusion of title 5 collective bargaining rights and GS pay for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act and in the National Defense Authorization Act. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3394, the Fund the TSA Act to end the diversion of the passenger security fee to non-aviation security purposes, increase the fee and index it to inflation, and designation a portion of the proceeds to pay and bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers as well as for important technology investments. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency. Lobbied for reauthorization of the CFATS program (H.R. 4470) Lobbied for Menendez amendment to H.R. 4367, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, to support CFATS inspector training. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in Murray ANS to H.R. 3935, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Lobbied Senate staff engaged in immigration and homeland security matters to raise awareness about the impact of the Department of Homeland Securitys Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule on USCIS asylum and refugee officers. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied Congress to require Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide safe staffing and workplace safety measures for correctional officers. Lobbied in opposition to augmentation and in support of full staffing, funding and workplace safety for correctional officers and all BOP staff. Lobbied in support of time and a half true overtime for BOP nurses FY 2024 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations. Lobbied for higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum-security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. Lobbied in support of H.R. 130/S. 459, Thin Blue Line Act, which would make murdering a law enforcement officer an aggravated factor in sentencing for a capital crime. Lobbied in support of S. 529, Eric's Law which would allow the empaneling of a new jury if a jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict in a trial involving the murder of a law enforcement officer. Lobbied in support of reintroduction of the One America Many Voices Act. Lobbied in opposition to removing Puerto Rican holidays from SBA employees in Puerto Rico. Lobbied in support of full multilingual opportunities and adequate compensation for employees at the Small Business Administration. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied in support of a strong collective bargaining agreement with full rights and protections for EPA workers. Lobbied in support of strong DEIA protections in EPA bargaining contract and comprehensive scientific integrity in the labor contract to ensure that employees can perform the mission of the agency with dignity and respect. Lobbied in support of strong protections for all employees including transgender employees. FY 2024 Interior and Environmental Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department oflnterior (DOI) employees. Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. FY 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL) facilities, human capital authority at NETL and cuts in funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to raise awareness among House and Senate staff engaged in immigration and homeland security matters about the impact of the Department of Homeland Securitys Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule on USCIS asylum and refugee officers. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied Congress to require Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide safe staffing and workplace safety measures for correctional officers. Lobbied in opposition to augmentation and in support of full staffing, funding and workplace safety for correctional officers and all BOP staff. Lobbied in support of time and a half true overtime for BOP nurses FY 2024 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations. Lobbied for higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum-security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. Lobbied in support of H.R. 130/S. 459, Thin Blue Line Act, which would make murdering a law enforcement officer an aggravated factor in sentencing for a capital crime. Lobbied in support of S. 529, Eric's Law which would allow the empaneling of a new jury if a jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict in a trial involving the murder of a law enforcement officer. Lobbied in support of reintroduction of the One America Many Voices Act. Lobbied in opposition to removing Puerto Rican holidays from SBA employees in Puerto Rico. Lobbied in support of full multilingual opportunities and adequate compensation for employees at the Small Business Administration. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4963 and S. 738, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Lobbied for H.R. 4535 and S. 1174, a bill to ensure the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to Americas social insurance programs, known as the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied on the following issues in the H.R. 2670 Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Authorization in the House and S. 2226 Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in the Senate: Lobbied for defeat of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would prohibit military commissaries and exchanges from selling Chinese-made good. Lobbied for defeat of amendments offered to H.R. 2670 that would undermine the Defense Departments authority to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the civilian workforce. Lobbied for defeat of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would prohibit official time from being authorized for Department of Defense employees. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would direct the Defense Department to establish a safety performance rating system for prospective contractors based on their record of worker health and safety violations. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would lower the mandatory disclosure threshold for contractors to provide certified cost and pricing information from $2,000,000 to $750,000. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would reform and increase pay for federal wildland firefighters. Lobbied for defeat of amendment offered to S. 2226 that would limit the authority of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to make decisions about its investment offerings. Lobbied for defeat of amendments offered to S. 2226 that would restrict the use of official time by Defense Department employees engaged in workplace representation. Sent numerous letters to Members of Congress expressing AFGEs views on H.R. 2670 and S. 2226. Provided analysis and feedback to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on provisions in S. 2226 and H.R. 2670 affecting DoD civilian employees. Provided input to a House inquiry concerning proposed changes to the Navys Fleet Readiness Centers aircraft maintenance protocols that would affect civilian employees. Lobbied the House of Representatives on H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 that the House adopted in September: Lobbied against amendments that would prohibit telework for Defense Department civilian employees, reduce the salaries of senior Defense Department officers, and prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Lobbied in support of an amendment that would restore language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent the appropriate analysis of the effects of these reductions on Defense Department capabilities. Sent numerous letters to House members expressing AFGEs views on H.R. 4365 Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Pursued requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation-HUD Opposed measures to cut federal employees pay and benefits in appropriations and the continuing resolution and against a government shutdown. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for funds for hiring additional personnel at the Federal Labor Relations Authority in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for pay for Transportation Security Officers in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for personnel in the Office of Principal Legal Advisor at Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for personnel who conduct work in refugee, asylum and other humanitarian programs at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services be funded through appropriated funds rather than through fees for other CIS services in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for more Railroad Safety Inspectors and better pay for existing inspectors at the Federal Railroad Administration in the FY 2024 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill and in the Railway Safety Act (H.R. 1674/S. 576). Lobbied to restore budget and personnel cuts at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, funded through the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 5525, the Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024, legislation to implement arbitrary and harmful across-the-board cuts to most federal agencies and establish a fiscal commission that would likely recommend deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the federal civil service, and any number of other essential programs and services. Lobbied in opposition to amendments to implement the Holman Rule to reduce salaries of several federal officers to $1, cut DEIA programs in federal agencies, reduce health and safety protections including mask mandates, and amendments to cut funding for several agencies to several appropriations bills: H.R. 4820, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4821, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4367, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, 2024 H.R. 4665, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 Lobbied in support of SA 1092 to the bill H.R. 4366 in the Senate Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 5779, Fiscal Commission Act of 2023 and any other efforts to create a commission charged with cutting or eliminating benefits for federal employees. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for the re-instatement ofGS-14 career ladder position. Lobbied for the creation of a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R.1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TB!), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied to amend 38 USC 7422. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VA's authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VA's own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, H.R. 1315, the Health Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3146, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act. , which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VA's own healthcare. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters: Statements and Correspondence: Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for its July 12, 2023, legislative hearing. Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Health for its July 18, 2023 markup. Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for its July 19, 2023, markup. Sent a joint union letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee for its July 26, 2023, markup. Submitted a Statement for the Record to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee July 26, 2023 hearing titled Implementing the PACT Act: One Year Later. Submitted a Statement for the Record to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee July 26, 2023 hearing titled VA Disability Exams: Are Veterans Receiving Quality Services? Specific Legislation: Lobbied for reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of2023." Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support" (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at YA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of YA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to amend parts of the "VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act." Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 2679, the VA LEAD Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the "VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the "Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the "VA Medical Center Security Report Act." Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act," which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the "Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act," which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Ace, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the "Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act," which would set minimum nurse patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including YA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations - Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE-Professionals, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support of including workforce language to make sure that bargaining unit employees retain their rights during a transition in a bill that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), returning it to being an independent agency. Lobbied in support of inclusion of title 5 collective bargaining rights and GS pay for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act and in the National Defense Authorization Act. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3394, the Fund the TSA Act to end the diversion of the passenger security fee to non-aviation security purposes, increase the fee and index it to inflation, and designation a portion of the proceeds to pay and bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers as well as for important technology investments. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency. Lobbied for reauthorization of the CFATS program (H.R. 4470) Lobbied for Menendez amendment to H.R. 4367, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, to support CFATS inspector training. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in Murray ANS to H.R. 3935, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Lobbied Senate staff engaged in immigration and homeland security matters to raise awareness about the impact of the Department of Homeland Securitys Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule on USCIS asylum and refugee officers. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023 led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for progressive, worker friendly provisions in the Farm Bill. Lobbied against H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Specifically lobbied against amendments to H.R. 4368 that proposed to reduce the salaries of various Agriculture Department and FDA officials and to reduce funding for the Agricultural Research Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the "SHOW UP Act" and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of lncome Rates) Act, H.R. 536 and S. 124 to provide an 8.7% increase in federal employees' pay in 2024. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against enactment of new excepted service and direct-hire authorities proposed in various bills including the NDAA. Lobbied for greater ethics disclosures for contractors working within the federal government, e.g., within the Cyber Reserve service. Lobbied in favor of higher bonuses for federal workers who recommend cost-saving improvements in their agencies. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the "Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act;" lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank-and-file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied against resolutions of disapproval to overturn DC Laws, including H.J. Res. 24, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 and H.J. Res. 26, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the "Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act." Lobbied in support to H.R. 866, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries' cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the "Chance to Compete Act of 2023," and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee and lobbied this issue in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the "Military Spouse Employment Act." Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act of 2023" to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied for passage of S. ____, the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act Lobbied against FY 2024 appropriations amendments to require excessive reporting on telework and remote work, ban mask mandates, and reduce federal spending below Fiscal Responsibility Act targets Lobbied for changes to Telework Reform Act of 2023 to protect competitive service hiring. Provided technical assistance to House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce for its September 14, 2023 hearing: Oversight of Federal Agencies Post-Pandemic Telework Policies. Lobbied against Senate proposal to expand excepted hiring in the Defense Departments Artificial Intelligence Office. Lobbied for expansion of FMLA eligibility expansion to credit military service. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation-HUD Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied for Cathy Harris to serve as a member of and Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Lobbied for confirmation of Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor. Lobbied for confirmation Kalpana Kotagal to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and her ultimate confirmation on July 14, 2023. Lobbied in support ofH.R. 536/S. 124, the "Federal Adjustment oflncome Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 8.7%. Lobbied in support of H.R. 856/S. 274, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees. Urged Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to move with all due consideration and speed to confirm nominees to the Federal Labor Relations Authority when nominations are received from the Administration. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied in support of a strong collective bargaining agreement with full rights and protections for EPA workers. Lobbied in support of strong DEIA protections in EPA bargaining contract and comprehensive scientific integrity in the labor contract to ensure that employees can perform the mission of the agency with dignity and respect. Lobbied in support of strong protections for all employees including transgender employees. FY 2024 Interior and Environmental Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department oflnterior (DOI) employees. Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. FY 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL) facilities, human capital authority at NETL and cuts in funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations, Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Pointed out threats to federal employee health benefits should a fiscal commission be allowed to consider this as a source for deficit control. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied in support of a strong collective bargaining agreement with full rights and protections for EPA workers. Lobbied in support of strong DEIA protections in EPA bargaining contract and comprehensive scientific integrity in the labor contract to ensure that employees can perform the mission of the agency with dignity and respect. Lobbied in support of strong protections for all employees including transgender employees. FY 2024 Interior and Environmental Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of lnterior (DOI) employees. Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Lobbied in opposition to amendments to defund the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities in H.R. 4821, the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill.

Lobbied Senate staff and USCIS staff engaged in negotiating provisions of the Biden administrations requested emergency appropriations supplemental on the effect that certain changes to asylum law would have on USCIS asylum operations and procedures along the southwest border and U.S. obligations under international law.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4963 and S. 738, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Lobbied for H.R. 4535 and S. 1174, a bill to ensure the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to Americas social insurance programs, known as the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act.

FY 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations -- Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Pointed out threats to federal employee health benefits should a fiscal commission be allowed to consider this as a source for a deficit dead or appropriations compromises. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception.

Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied to preserve language in H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for the re-instatement of GS-14 career ladder position. Lobbied for the creation of a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R.1378, the Veterans Appeals Backlog Improvement Act. Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans Appeals. Lobbied for additional training for Board of Veterans Appeals Attorneys. Lobbied in support of ANS to H.R. 1530, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TB!), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for the introduction of H.R. 6538, the VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023. Lobbied for the introduction of "VA Employee Fairness Act" subsequent to the passage of the VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023. Lobbied in support of and for changes to S. 2679, the Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Development (LEAD) Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VA's authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VA's own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, H.R. 1315, the Health Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3146, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act., which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VA's own healthcare. Lobbied for oversight of new VA private contracting program, the Integrated Critical Staffing Program. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters. Lobbied for better information on scheduling and appointment times for both in-house VA and private care. Lobbied for more information about the costs of VA care. Statements and Correspondence: Provided a Statement for the Record for a October 25, 2023 Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing titled VA Accountability and Transparency: A Cornerstone of Quality Care and Benefits for Veterans. Testified at a November 29, 2023, House Veterans Affairs Committee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee titled Examining the VA Appeals Process: Ensuring High-Quality Decision-Making for Veterans Claims on Appeal. Specific Legislation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 6538, the "VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of2023." Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support" (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure, and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at YA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of YA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support and for changes to S. 2679, the VA LEAD Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to S. 2649, the Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1315, the HEALTH Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the "VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the "Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the "VA Medical Center Security Report Act." Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act," which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the "Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act," which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Ace, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the "Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act," which would set minimum nurse patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including YA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied to preserve changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the "SHOW UP Act" and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of lncome Rates) Act, H.R. 536, and S. 124 to provide an 8.7% increase in federal employees' pay in 2024. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against enactment of new excepted service and direct-hire authorities proposed in various bills including the NDAA. Lobbied for greater ethics disclosures for contractors working within the federal government, e.g., within the Cyber Reserve service. Lobbied in favor of higher bonuses for federal workers who recommend cost-saving improvements in their agencies. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the "Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act;" lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank-and-file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied against resolutions of disapproval to overturn DC Laws, including H.J. Res. 24, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 and H.J. Res. 26, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the "Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act." Lobbied in support to H.R. 866, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries' cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the "Chance to Compete Act of 2023," and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee and lobbied this issue in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the "Military Spouse Employment Act." Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act of 2023" to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied for passage of S. 3029, the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act. Lobbied against FY 2024 appropriations amendments to require excessive reporting on telework and remote work, ban mask mandates, and reduce federal spending below Fiscal Responsibility Act targets. Lobbied for changes to S. 3015, the Telework Reform Act of 2023 to protect competitive service hiring. Provided technical assistance to House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce for its September 14, 2023, hearing: Oversight of Federal Agencies Post-Pandemic Telework Policies. Lobbied against Senate proposal to expand excepted hiring in the Defense Departments Artificial Intelligence Office. Lobbied for expansion of FMLA eligibility expansion to credit military service, provision which was enacted in the NDAA. Lobbied for changes to OPMs proposed governmentwide cybersecurity workforce proposal to preserve title 5 provisions, protect collective bargaining rights, and avoid pay banding systems that are associated with arbitrary or discriminatory treatment. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation - HUD

FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations - Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE-Professionals, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support of including workforce language to make sure that bargaining unit employees retain their rights during a transition in a bill that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), returning it to being an independent agency. Lobbied in support of inclusion of title 5 collective bargaining rights and GS pay for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act and in the National Defense Authorization Act. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3394, the Fund the TSA Act to end the diversion of the passenger security fee to non-aviation security purposes, increase the fee and index it to inflation, and designation a portion of the proceeds to pay and bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers as well as for important technology investments. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency. Lobbied for reauthorization of the CFATS program (H.R. 4470) Lobbied for Menendez amendment to H.R. 4367, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, to support CFATS inspector training. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in Murray ANS to H.R. 3935, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Lobbied Senate staff engaged in negotiating provisions of the Biden administrations requested emergency appropriations supplemental on the effect that certain changes to asylum law would have on USCIS asylum operations and procedures along the southwest border and U.S. obligations under international law. Lobbied on approach to cyber workforce proposal affecting DHS and other agencies. Emphasized concerns with a separate pay system and waiver of title 5 authority. Lobbied for changes to S. 3015, the Lankford-Sinema Telework Reform Act of 2023 to preserve competitive hiring and collective bargaining agreements.

Lobbied for Cathy Harris to serve as a member of and Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Lobbied in support of Martin OMalley to be confirmed as Commissioner of the Social Security Administration Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "Federal Adjustment of lncome Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 8.7%. Lobbied in support of H.R. 856/S. 274, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees. Urged Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to move with all due consideration and speed to confirm nominees to the Federal Labor Relations Authority when nominations are received from the Administration.

Lobbied on the following issues in the H.R. 2670 Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Authorization in the House, S. 2226 Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in the Senate, and the FY24 NDAA conference report enacted in December 2023: Lobbied for removal of a provision in H.R. 2670 that would prohibit military commissaries and exchanges from selling Chinese-made good. Lobbied against provisions in H.R. 2670 that would undermine the Defense Departments authority to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the civilian workforce. Sent numerous letters to Members of Congress expressing AFGEs views on H.R. 2670 and S. 2226. Provided analysis and feedback to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on provisions in S. 2226 and H.R. 2670 affecting DoD civilian employees. Provided input to a House inquiry concerning proposed changes to the Navys Fleet Readiness Centers aircraft maintenance protocols that would affect civilian employees. DoD Appropriations: Lobbied against amendments made in order during House debate of H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024, proposing to (1) prohibit regular telework and remote work for Defense Department civilian employees and contractors; (2) strip the Defense Department of its authority to set policy as it pertains to the prevention of COVID-19; (3) invoke the so-called Holman Rule to either reduce the annual salaries of various DoD officials; and (4) reverse important strides the Defense Department has made in recent years to recruit and retain a diverse civilian workforce. Lobbied in favor of a provision to retain language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent a rigorous analysis of the effects of these reductions on workload.

FY 2024 Foreign Operations Appropriations --Lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State employees and the funding level for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied to prevent a Reduction in Force (RIF) at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections. Lobbied against the use of generative AI voices at the USAGM.

FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for reintroduction of the, Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act." Lobbied for USDA to improve conditions for workers at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023 led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern.

Pursued requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills and CRs: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation - HUD Opposed measures to cut federal employees pay and benefits in appropriations and the continuing resolution and against a government shutdown. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for funds for hiring additional personnel at the Federal Labor Relations Authority in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for pay for Transportation Security Officers in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for personnel in the Office of Principal Legal Advisor at Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for personnel who conduct work in refugee, asylum and other humanitarian programs at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services be funded through appropriated funds rather than through fees for other CIS services in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for more Railroad Safety Inspectors and better pay for existing inspectors at the Federal Railroad Administration in the FY 2024 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill and in the Railway Safety Act (H.R. 1674/S. 576). Lobbied to restore budget and personnel cuts at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, funded through the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional Social Security Administration (SSA) funding in the FY 2024 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of full-year appropriations for FY24 and for short-term continuing appropriations that to not include arbitrary and harmful across-the-board cuts to federal agencies, establish a fiscal commission that would likely recommend deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the federal civil service, and any number of other essential programs and services. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 5779, H.R. Fiscal Commission Act of 2023; S. 3262, the Fiscal Stability Act of 2023; and H.R. 710, the Sustainable Budget Act and any other efforts to create a commission charged with cutting or eliminating benefits for federal employees. Lobbied in opposition to amendments to implement the Holman Rule to reduce salaries of several federal officers to $1, cut DEIA programs in federal agencies, reduce health and safety protections including mask mandates, and amendments to cut funding for several agencies to several appropriations bills: H.R. 4820, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4821, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4367, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, 2024. H.R. 4665, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4664, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024. Lobbied in support of SA 1092 to the bill H.R. 4366 in the Senate. Lobbied in opposition to an amendment to H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024, to prohibit regular telework and remote work for Defense Department civilian employees and contractors. Lobbied in support of an amendment to H.R. 4365 to restore language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent an analysis of the effects of such reduction on workload and military readiness of the armed forces. Lobbied in opposition to an amendment to H.R. 4664 that would prohibit funds from being used to finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed OPM rule that would prohibit a future administration from transforming thousands of merit-based positions in the Executive Branch into partisan appointments and undermine the merit-based civil service system.

Lobbied in support of a strong collective bargaining agreement with full rights and protections for EPA workers. Lobbied in support of strong DEIA protections in EPA bargaining contract and comprehensive scientific integrity in the labor contract to ensure that employees can perform the mission of the agency with dignity and respect. Lobbied in support of strong protections for all employees including transgender employees. FY 2024 Interior and Environmental Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of lnterior (DOI) employees. Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Lobbied in opposition to amendments to defund the National Endowment for the Arts and Humanities in H.R. 4821, the Interior and Environment Appropriations bill.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Pointed out threats to federal employee health benefits should a fiscal commission be allowed to consider this as a source for a deficit dead or appropriations compromises. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception.

Pursued requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills and CRs: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation - HUD Opposed measures to cut federal employees pay and benefits in appropriations and the continuing resolution and against a government shutdown. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for funds for hiring additional personnel at the Federal Labor Relations Authority in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for pay for Transportation Security Officers in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for personnel in the Office of Principal Legal Advisor at Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for personnel who conduct work in refugee, asylum and other humanitarian programs at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services be funded through appropriated funds rather than through fees for other CIS services in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for more Railroad Safety Inspectors and better pay for existing inspectors at the Federal Railroad Administration in the FY 2024 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill and in the Railway Safety Act (H.R. 1674/S. 576). Lobbied to restore budget and personnel cuts at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, funded through the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional Social Security Administration (SSA) funding in the FY 2024 Labor-HHS Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of full-year appropriations for FY24 and for short-term continuing appropriations that to not include arbitrary and harmful across-the-board cuts to federal agencies, establish a fiscal commission that would likely recommend deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the federal civil service, and any number of other essential programs and services. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 5779, H.R. Fiscal Commission Act of 2023; S. 3262, the Fiscal Stability Act of 2023; and H.R. 710, the Sustainable Budget Act and any other efforts to create a commission charged with cutting or eliminating benefits for federal employees. Lobbied in opposition to amendments to implement the Holman Rule to reduce salaries of several federal officers to $1, cut DEIA programs in federal agencies, reduce health and safety protections including mask mandates, and amendments to cut funding for several agencies to several appropriations bills: H.R. 4820, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4821, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4367, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, 2024. H.R. 4665, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. H.R. 4664, the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2024. Lobbied in support of SA 1092 to the bill H.R. 4366 in the Senate. Lobbied in opposition to an amendment to H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024, to prohibit regular telework and remote work for Defense Department civilian employees and contractors. Lobbied in support of an amendment to H.R. 4365 to restore language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent an analysis of the effects of such reduction on workload and military readiness of the armed forces. Lobbied in opposition to an amendment to H.R. 4664 that would prohibit funds from being used to finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed OPM rule that would prohibit a future administration from transforming thousands of merit-based positions in the Executive Branch into partisan appointments and undermine the merit-based civil service system.

Lobbied on the following issues in the H.R. 2670 Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Authorization in the House, S. 2226 Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in the Senate, and the FY24 NDAA conference report enacted in December 2023: Lobbied for removal of a provision in H.R. 2670 that would prohibit military commissaries and exchanges from selling Chinese-made good. Lobbied against provisions in H.R. 2670 that would undermine the Defense Departments authority to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the civilian workforce. Sent numerous letters to Members of Congress expressing AFGEs views on H.R. 2670 and S. 2226. Provided analysis and feedback to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on provisions in S. 2226 and H.R. 2670 affecting DoD civilian employees. Provided input to a House inquiry concerning proposed changes to the Navys Fleet Readiness Centers aircraft maintenance protocols that would affect civilian employees.

FY 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations -- Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the "SHOW UP Act" and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of lncome Rates) Act, H.R. 536, and S. 124 to provide an 8.7% increase in federal employees' pay in 2024. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against enactment of new excepted service and direct-hire authorities proposed in various bills including the NDAA. Lobbied for greater ethics disclosures for contractors working within the federal government, e.g., within the Cyber Reserve service. Lobbied in favor of higher bonuses for federal workers who recommend cost-saving improvements in their agencies. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the "Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act;" lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank-and-file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied against resolutions of disapproval to overturn DC Laws, including H.J. Res. 24, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 and H.J. Res. 26, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the "Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act." Lobbied in support to H.R. 866, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries' cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the "Chance to Compete Act of 2023," and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee and lobbied this issue in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the "Military Spouse Employment Act." Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act of 2023" to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied for passage of S. 3029, the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act. Lobbied against FY 2024 appropriations amendments to require excessive reporting on telework and remote work, ban mask mandates, and reduce federal spending below Fiscal Responsibility Act targets. Lobbied for changes to S. 3015, the Telework Reform Act of 2023 to protect competitive service hiring. Provided technical assistance to House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce for its September 14, 2023, hearing: Oversight of Federal Agencies Post-Pandemic Telework Policies. Lobbied against Senate proposal to expand excepted hiring in the Defense Departments Artificial Intelligence Office. Lobbied for expansion of FMLA eligibility expansion to credit military service, provision which was enacted in the NDAA. Lobbied for changes to OPMs proposed governmentwide cybersecurity workforce proposal to preserve title 5 provisions, protect collective bargaining rights, and avoid pay banding systems that are associated with arbitrary or discriminatory treatment. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation - HUD

Lobbied Senate staff and USCIS staff engaged in negotiating provisions of the Biden administrations requested emergency appropriations supplemental on the effect that certain changes to asylum law would have on USCIS asylum operations and procedures along the southwest border and U.S. obligations under international law.

FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for reintroduction of the, Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act." Lobbied for USDA to improve conditions for workers at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023 led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern.

Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied to preserve language in H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for the re-instatement of GS-14 career ladder position. Lobbied for the creation of a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R.1378, the Veterans Appeals Backlog Improvement Act. Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans Appeals. Lobbied for additional training for Board of Veterans Appeals Attorneys. Lobbied in support of ANS to H.R. 1530, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TB!), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for the introduction of H.R. 6538, the VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023. Lobbied for the introduction of "VA Employee Fairness Act" subsequent to the passage of the VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023. Lobbied in support of and for changes to S. 2679, the Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Development (LEAD) Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VA's authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VA's own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, H.R. 1315, the Health Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3146, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act., which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VA's own healthcare. Lobbied for oversight of new VA private contracting program, the Integrated Critical Staffing Program. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters. Lobbied for better information on scheduling and appointment times for both in-house VA and private care. Lobbied for more information about the costs of VA care. Statements and Correspondence: Provided a Statement for the Record for a October 25, 2023 Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing titled VA Accountability and Transparency: A Cornerstone of Quality Care and Benefits for Veterans. Testified at a November 29, 2023, House Veterans Affairs Committee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee titled Examining the VA Appeals Process: Ensuring High-Quality Decision-Making for Veterans Claims on Appeal. Specific Legislation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 6538, the "VA Correct Compensation Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. 3194, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of2023." Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support" (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure, and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at YA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of YA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4906 "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support and for changes to S. 2679, the VA LEAD Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition to S. 2649, the Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1315, the HEALTH Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the "VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the "Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the "VA Medical Center Security Report Act." Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act," which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the "Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act," which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Ace, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the "Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act," which would set minimum nurse patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including YA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied to preserve changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4963 and S. 738, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Lobbied for H.R. 4535 and S. 1174, a bill to ensure the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to Americas social insurance programs, known as the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act.

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 for the, "Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023" led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for progressive, worker friendly provisions in the Farm Bill. Lobbied against H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Specifically lobbied against amendments to H.R. 4368 that proposed to reduce the salaries of various Agriculture Department and FDA officials and to reduce funding for the Agricultural Research Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

FY 2024 Foreign Operations Appropriations --Lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State employees and the funding level for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied to prevent a Reduction in Force (RIF) at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections. Lobbied against the use of generative AI voices at the USAGM.

Lobbied Congress to require Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide safe staffing and workplace safety measures for correctional officers. Lobbied in opposition to augmentation and in support of full staffing, funding and workplace safety for correctional officers and all BOP staff. Lobbied in support of time and a half true overtime for BOP nurses FY 2024 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations. Lobbied for higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum-security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. Lobbied in support of H.R. 130 and S. 459, the Thin Blue Line Act, which would make murdering a law enforcement officer an aggravated factor in sentencing for a capital crime. Lobbied in support of S. 529, Eric's Law which would allow the empaneling of a new jury if a jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict in a trial involving the murder of a law enforcement officer. Lobbied in support of full multilingual opportunities and adequate compensation for employees at the Small Business Administration.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the "SHOW UP Act" and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of lncome Rates) Act, H.R. 536 and S. 124 to provide an 8.7% increase in federal employees' pay in 2024. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against enactment of new excepted service and direct-hire authorities proposed in various bills including the NDAA. Lobbied for greater ethics disclosures for contractors working within the federal government, e.g., within the Cyber Reserve service. Lobbied in favor of higher bonuses for federal workers who recommend cost-saving improvements in their agencies. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the "Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act;" lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank-and-file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied against resolutions of disapproval to overturn DC Laws, including H.J. Res. 24, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 and H.J. Res. 26, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the "Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act." Lobbied in support to H.R. 866, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries' cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the "Chance to Compete Act of 2023," and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee and lobbied this issue in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the "Military Spouse Employment Act." Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act of 2023" to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied for passage of S. ____, the Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act Lobbied against FY 2024 appropriations amendments to require excessive reporting on telework and remote work, ban mask mandates, and reduce federal spending below Fiscal Responsibility Act targets Lobbied for changes to Telework Reform Act of 2023 to protect competitive service hiring. Provided technical assistance to House Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce for its September 14, 2023 hearing: Oversight of Federal Agencies Post-Pandemic Telework Policies. Lobbied against Senate proposal to expand excepted hiring in the Defense Departments Artificial Intelligence Office. Lobbied for expansion of FMLA eligibility expansion to credit military service. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation-HUD Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied for Cathy Harris to serve as a member of and Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Lobbied for confirmation of Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor. Lobbied for confirmation Kalpana Kotagal to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and her ultimate confirmation on July 14, 2023. Lobbied in support ofH.R. 536/S. 124, the "Federal Adjustment oflncome Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 8.7%. Lobbied in support of H.R. 856/S. 274, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees. Urged Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs to move with all due consideration and speed to confirm nominees to the Federal Labor Relations Authority when nominations are received from the Administration. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023 led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for progressive, worker friendly provisions in the Farm Bill. Lobbied against H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024. Specifically lobbied against amendments to H.R. 4368 that proposed to reduce the salaries of various Agriculture Department and FDA officials and to reduce funding for the Agricultural Research Service and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for reintroduction of the "Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act." Lobbied for USDA to improve conditions for workers at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023 led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations, Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Pursued requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation-HUD Opposed measures to cut federal employees pay and benefits in appropriations and the continuing resolution and against a government shutdown. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for funds for hiring additional personnel at the Federal Labor Relations Authority in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for pay for Transportation Security Officers in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for personnel in the Office of Principal Legal Advisor at Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for personnel who conduct work in refugee, asylum and other humanitarian programs at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services be funded through appropriated funds rather than through fees for other CIS services in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for more Railroad Safety Inspectors and better pay for existing inspectors at the Federal Railroad Administration in the FY 2024 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill and in the Railway Safety Act (H.R. 1674/S. 576). Lobbied to restore budget and personnel cuts at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, funded through the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 5525, the Continuing Appropriations and Border Security Enhancement Act, 2024, legislation to implement arbitrary and harmful across-the-board cuts to most federal agencies and establish a fiscal commission that would likely recommend deep cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the federal civil service, and any number of other essential programs and services. Lobbied in opposition to amendments to implement the Holman Rule to reduce salaries of several federal officers to $1, cut DEIA programs in federal agencies, reduce health and safety protections including mask mandates, and amendments to cut funding for several agencies to several appropriations bills: H.R. 4820, the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4821, the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4394, the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4367, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Bill, 2024 H.R. 4665, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4368, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024 Lobbied in support of SA 1092 to the bill H.R. 4366 in the Senate Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 5779, Fiscal Commission Act of 2023 and any other efforts to create a commission charged with cutting or eliminating benefits for federal employees. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Pointed out threats to federal employee health benefits should a fiscal commission be allowed to consider this as a source for deficit control. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied in support of a strong collective bargaining agreement with full rights and protections for EPA workers. Lobbied in support of strong DEIA protections in EPA bargaining contract and comprehensive scientific integrity in the labor contract to ensure that employees can perform the mission of the agency with dignity and respect. Lobbied in support of strong protections for all employees including transgender employees. FY 2024 Interior and Environmental Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department oflnterior (DOI) employees. Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. FY 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL) facilities, human capital authority at NETL and cuts in funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied on the following issues in the H.R. 2670 Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Authorization in the House and S. 2226 Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in the Senate: Lobbied for defeat of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would prohibit military commissaries and exchanges from selling Chinese-made good. Lobbied for defeat of amendments offered to H.R. 2670 that would undermine the Defense Departments authority to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the civilian workforce. Lobbied for defeat of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would prohibit official time from being authorized for Department of Defense employees. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would direct the Defense Department to establish a safety performance rating system for prospective contractors based on their record of worker health and safety violations. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would lower the mandatory disclosure threshold for contractors to provide certified cost and pricing information from $2,000,000 to $750,000. Lobbied for adoption of an amendment offered to H.R. 2670 that would reform and increase pay for federal wildland firefighters. Lobbied for defeat of amendment offered to S. 2226 that would limit the authority of the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to make decisions about its investment offerings. Lobbied for defeat of amendments offered to S. 2226 that would restrict the use of official time by Defense Department employees engaged in workplace representation. Sent numerous letters to Members of Congress expressing AFGEs views on H.R. 2670 and S. 2226. Provided analysis and feedback to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on provisions in S. 2226 and H.R. 2670 affecting DoD civilian employees. Provided input to a House inquiry concerning proposed changes to the Navys Fleet Readiness Centers aircraft maintenance protocols that would affect civilian employees. Lobbied the House of Representatives on H.R. 4365, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 that the House adopted in September: Lobbied against amendments that would prohibit telework for Defense Department civilian employees, reduce the salaries of senior Defense Department officers, and prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. Lobbied in support of an amendment that would restore language included in previous Defense Appropriations Acts prohibiting the Defense Department from reducing its civilian workforce absent the appropriate analysis of the effects of these reductions on Defense Department capabilities. Sent numerous letters to House members expressing AFGEs views on H.R. 4365 Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations - Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE-Professionals, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support of including workforce language to make sure that bargaining unit employees retain their rights during a transition in a bill that would remove the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), returning it to being an independent agency. Lobbied in support of inclusion of title 5 collective bargaining rights and GS pay for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act and in the National Defense Authorization Act. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3394, the Fund the TSA Act to end the diversion of the passenger security fee to non-aviation security purposes, increase the fee and index it to inflation, and designation a portion of the proceeds to pay and bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers as well as for important technology investments. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency. Lobbied for reauthorization of the CFATS program (H.R. 4470) Lobbied for Menendez amendment to H.R. 4367, Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, to support CFATS inspector training. Lobbied for inclusion of CFATS reauthorization in Murray ANS to H.R. 3935, Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Lobbied Senate staff engaged in immigration and homeland security matters to raise awareness about the impact of the Department of Homeland Securitys Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule on USCIS asylum and refugee officers. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to raise awareness among House and Senate staff engaged in immigration and homeland security matters about the impact of the Department of Homeland Securitys Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule on USCIS asylum and refugee officers. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

FY 2024 Foreign Operations Appropriations --lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State employees and the funding level for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied to prevent a Reduction in Force (RIF) at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections. Lobbied against the use of generative AI voices at the USAGM. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4963 and S. 738, the Tax Fairness for Workers Act. Lobbied for H.R. 4535 and S. 1174, a bill to ensure the wealthiest Americans contribute their fair share to Americas social insurance programs, known as the Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for the re-instatement ofGS-14 career ladder position. Lobbied for the creation of a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R.1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TB!), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied to amend 38 USC 7422. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the "Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VA's authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VA's own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023, H.R. 1315, the Health Act and S. 2649, Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 3146, the Veterans Health Care Freedom Act. , which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VA's own healthcare. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters: Statements and Correspondence: Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for its July 12, 2023, legislative hearing. Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Health for its July 18, 2023 markup. Sent letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations for its July 19, 2023, markup. Sent a joint union letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee for its July 26, 2023, markup. Submitted a Statement for the Record to the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee July 26, 2023 hearing titled Implementing the PACT Act: One Year Later. Submitted a Statement for the Record to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee July 26, 2023 hearing titled VA Disability Exams: Are Veterans Receiving Quality Services? Specific Legislation: Lobbied for reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act" to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the "Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act" and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act" as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the "Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of2023." Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support" (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at YA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of YA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to amend parts of the "VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act." Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the "Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied for changes to S. 2679, the VA LEAD Act of 2023. Lobbied in opposition H.R. 3520, the Veteran Care Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the "VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the "Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023." Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the "VA Medical Center Security Report Act." Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act," which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the "Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act," which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, "Veterans Health Care Freedom Act," which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans' Health Care Eligibility Ace, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the "Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act," which would set minimum nurse patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including YA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Lobbied in support of S. 2718, the Medical Disability Exam Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 3738, a bill To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs the Veterans Economic Opportunity and Transition Administration, and for other purposes. Lobbied for a clean appropriations bill or CR covering these issues that does not cut federal pay or benefits.

Lobbied Congress to require Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide safe staffing and workplace safety measures for correctional officers. Lobbied in opposition to augmentation and in support of full staffing, funding and workplace safety for correctional officers and all BOP staff. Lobbied in support of time and a half true overtime for BOP nurses in the FY 2024 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations. Lobbied for higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum-security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. Lobbied in support of H.R. 130/S. 459 the, "Thin Blue Line Act," which would make murdering a law enforcement officer an aggravated factor in sentencing for a capital crime. Lobbied in support of S. 529, "Eric's Law" which would allow the empaneling of a new jury if a jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict in a trial involving the murder of a law enforcement officer. Lobbied in support of reintroduction of the "One America Many Voices Act." Lobbied in opposition to removing Puerto Rican holidays from SBA employees in Puerto Rico. Lobbied in support of full multilingual opportunities and adequate compensation for employees at the Small Business Administration.

Lobbied for Cathy Harris to serve as a member of and Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Lobbied in support of Nancy Anderson Speight to be a Member and Chair of the Federal Labor Relations Authority and Suzanne Elizabeth Summerlin to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Lobbied for confirmation of Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor. Lobbied for confirmation Kalpana Kotagal to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "Federal Adjustment of Income Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 8.7%. Lobbied in support of extending the COVID presumption of workplace exposure for eligibility for FECA from the year 2030 to a later date to allow all eligible recipients to receive the benefit for longer period. Lobbied in support of H.R. 856/S. 274, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees.

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD. Lobbied in support of S. 272 and H.R. 805 the, "Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023" led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for progressive, worker friendly provisions in the Farm Bill.

Lobbied to raise awareness among House and Senate staff engaged in immigration and homeland security matters about the impact of the Department of Homeland Securitys Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule on USCIS asylum and refugee officers. Lobbied for provisions in FY 2024 Homeland Security appropriations bill to fund humanitarian services at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services including refugee and asylum applications through appropriations rather than through fees for other services. Lobbied for appropriated funds for USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security in place of funding these services through fees because this function is vital to the legal immigration system and border security.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Opposed efforts to increase employee contributions to FEHB. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services. Lobbied to remove barriers to contraception.

National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) AFGE lobbied on the following issues in the Defense Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2024: 1.Carrying forward section 8012 of Pub. L. 117-328, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 Division C (Dec. 29, 2022) without alteration in opposition to proposal of House Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittee Chair Ken Calvert (R-CA41) to establish an arbitrary backfill ratio based on attrition to reduce Department of Defense (DoD) civilian workforce. 2.Adding a new provision that would require that contract services comply with budgetary requirements of section 4506 of title 10 to produce funding tables for contracted services in the same appropriations for which funding tables are currently displayed in the Defense Appropriation for DoD civilian employees. AFGE also provided questions for the record to House and Senate Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittees on total force management, DoD civilian hiring and talent management, and the Defense Health Activity reorganization. Lobbied on the following issues in the Financial Services General Government Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2024: 1.Carrying forward section 741 from of Pub. L. 117-328, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 Division E (Dec. 29, 2022) that would prohibit public-private competitions pursuant to OMB Circular A-76. 2.Modifying section 737 from Pub. L. 117-328, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, Division E (Dec. 29, 2022) by raising the cap on Wage Grade pay increases so that hourly workers get the prevailing rates they are meant to receive while maintaining the floor so that every Wage Grade employee gets at least the average General Schedule raise in the locality where they work. Lobbied on the following issues in the H.R. 2670 Fiscal Year 2024 Defense Authorization in the House and the yet to be numbered Fiscal Year 2024 National Defense Authorization Act in the Senate: 1.Proposed markup amendment to strengthen total force management through amendment of section 129a of title 10. The proposal would amend subsection (b) to clarify the process for documenting DoD civilian workforce sizing decisions. The proposal further amends subsection (c) clarifying responsibilities of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness). The proposal amends subsection (d) to improve the completeness of the contractor inventory. The proposal would add a new subsection (f) that would require the Department of Defense to brief Congress in each budget submission with specific data analytics linking the DoD civilian workforce to readiness, lethality and stress on the force metrics. The proposal would add a new subsection (g) that would require service contracts be subjected to the same workload validation and prioritization requirements currently applied to military and civilian force structure; and finally, the proposal would add a new subsection (h) that would require funding tables for services contracts similar to the funding tables in each National Defense Authorization Act and Defense Appropriation for the DoD civilian workforce. 2.Proposed consideration of a floor amendment for H.R. 1322 and S. 1888, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act, currently re-introduced as H.R. 1322, after its markup in the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. 3.Proposed converting Department of Defense Non-Appropriated Fund Child Care workforce to appropriated fund and raising their pay; commented on a Department of the Army proposal that would allow Non-Appropriated Fund personnel to take on more than one job. 4.Proposed a scholarship program for the medical workforce similar to section 1535 of the H.R. 1776, the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. 5.Lobbied for a repeal or waiver of section 865 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) pertaining to the presumptions on Research, Development, Test and Evaluation expenditures by the government versus the private sector for weapon systems relevant to negotiations for access to intellectual property. 6.Lobbied for repeal or waiver of the definition of commercial item in section 103 and 103a of title 41 for sole-source non-competitive procurements of weapon systems. 7.Lobbied for ceasing use of arbitrary time limits on depot carryover. 8.Lobbied for the Department of Defense to use Section 1108, Eligibility of Department of Defense employees in time-limited appointments to compete for permanent appointments to convert term appointments to permanent positions in the ammunition plants, Anniston Army depot and throughout the organic defense industrial base. 9.Lobbied for the Department of Defense to improve its compliance with sections 2464 (core logistics rule), 2466 (50-50 rule) and 2476 (capitol investment requirements for depots) of title 10. 10.Lobbied for the Department of Defense to support amendment of section 737 of the Financial Services General Government (FSGG) appropriation by raising the cap on Wage Grade pay while retaining the floor to improve recruitment and retention of Department of Defense civilian workforce within the organic industrial base. 11.Lobbied the Department of Defense and Congress to increase its use of the organic industrial base to address ammunition, missile, artillery, armored vehicle shortfalls in Ukraine and replenish shortages needed to deter China and other threats to national security. 12.Lobbied Congress and the Department of Defense for repeal or amendment of section 1595 of title 10 to afford faculty at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) worker protections under title 5. Additionally lobbied to modify section 1595 of title 10 to require strategic human capital risk assessments by restricting the use of annual renewable term appointments for enduring functions of the Future Years Defense. Requested a study to determine whether DLIFLC was handicapped in the program and budget process by having the Army as its Executive Agent; proposed additional funds and Full Time Equivalents to retain Pashtu faculty to avoid under-execution. 13.Lobbied Congress against the DoD legislative proposal, Application of Acquisition Demonstration Project to Department of Air Force Employees Assigned to Support United States Strategic Command and United States Space Command Enterprises; further lobbied Congress to discontinue the Acquisition Demonstration pay-for-performance system. 14.Lobbied Congress to support the DoD legislative proposal for One Year Extension of Temporary Authority to Grant Allowances, Benefits and Gratuities to Civilian Personnel on Official Duty in a Combat Zone. 15.Lobbied Congress to support the DoD legislative proposal for One year extension of Authority to Waive Annual Limitation on Premium Pay and Aggregate Limitations on Pay for Federal Civilian Employees working Overseas. 16.Lobbied to place limitations on the DoD legislative proposal for Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense, amending section 9905 of title 5 related to (1) support operations positions, and (2) positions in support of public safety, law enforcement, and first response. 17.Lobbied against the DoD legislative proposal, Improvements to Use of Cyber and Information Technology Workforce for Enterprise Information Technology, unless conditions laid out in the Strengthening Force Management amendment proposal are enacted and implemented. 18.Lobbied in support of the DoD legislative proposal, Removal of Washington Headquarters Service Direct Support From Personnel Limitation on the Office of the Secretary of Defense. 19.Lobbied to retain limitations on the DoD legislative proposal for Consolidation of Direct Hire Authorities for Candidates with Specified Degrees at Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories. 20.Lobbied on the DoD legislative proposal for Authority to Provide for Increased Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay for Civilian Employees of the Department of Defense. 21.Provided general arguments against direct hire authority proposals of the Department of Defense and with respect to the Cyber Excepted Service. 22.Lobbied against an Air Force proposal to provide authority for Department of Defense Service Secretaries to establish classification, qualification and pay setting standards for occupations designated as Mission Critical Occupational Series. 23.Lobbied the Defense Business Board on civilian talent management and on behalf of AFGE Local 1263 relating to faculty at Defense Language Institute. 24.Commented on a proposed amendment from Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) that would establish a temporary Cyber Reserve pilot program, limited to 50 personnel, to urge public disclosure of conflicts of interest. Also expressed concerns with an alternative Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) markup amendment that would establish a permanent government-wide Digital Reserve run out of the General Services Administration. 25.Lobbied against privatization of Navy and Air Force lodging. 26.Lobbied against renewal of a proposal to restrict Military Exchanges from selling goods with any component parts manufactured in China. 27.Lobbied for supplementing the Non-Appropriated Fund workforce with Appropriated Funds in response to inflationary impacts. 28.Lobbied against amendment that would limit the investments in the Thrift Savings Plan that would limit investment in issuers where 50 percent or more of their revenue came from countries listed as National Security risks. 29.Lobbied against amendment that targeted the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, Diversity Equity and Inclusion Director for reduction through a manpower study targeting the DoD civilian workforce, 30.Lobbied against amendment that proposed eliminating the Director Cost Assessment and Program Evaluation. 31.Lobbied against Navy proposals to privatize Department of Defense civilian employees currently supporting Program Executive Officer for Nuclear-Powered General Purpose Attack Submarines program. In addition, AFGE legislative staff: 1.Provided questions for the record to Senate Armed Services Committee and House Armed Services Committee hearings related to the Cyber Excepted Service, Artificial Intelligence, Commercial Technologies, Contract Services, Total Force Management, Talent Management, Hiring Reform, Competitive Service, Stealth Privatization, Child Development Centers and Child Care Workforce, Defense Health Activity Reorganization, and the 4th Estate. 2.Provided input to the Government Accountability Office (GAO) discrediting a 2013 McKinsey Study claiming $125 billion in savings from cutting 4th estate DoD organizations that was resurrected during an April 26, 2023, House hearing. GAO will be responding to question for the record on that study. 3.Provided input to the Congressional Budget Office concerning covering all services contracts in Future Years Defense Program analyses. AFGE sent letters to Congress and the Department of Defense opposing proposed DoD civilian workforce reductions, improving civilian talent management, opposing improper use of term and temporary hiring, and supporting the organic industrial base.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied against IRS funds being reduced as part of a debt ceiling deal. Lobbied in support of the Worker Tax Fairness Act.

FY 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations, Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use.

Lobbied in support of a strong collective bargaining agreement with full rights and protections for EPA workers. Lobbied in support of diverse workforce at EPA and strong protections for all employees including transgender employees FY 2024 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 on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. FY 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL) facilities, human capital authority at NETL and cuts in funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2024 Foreign Operations Appropriations --lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State employees and the funding level for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied to prevent a Reduction in Force (RIF) at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website. Lobbied for the Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to have more employee input on their reorganization proposal and to have increased oversight of hiring practices and improved whistleblower protections.

FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations - Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE-Professionals, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support of inclusion of title 5 collective bargaining rights and GS pay for Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) in the Federal Aviation Administration Authorization Act. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3394, the Fund the TSA Act to end the diversion of the passenger security fee to non-aviation security purposes, increase the fee and index it to inflation, and designation a portion of the proceeds to pay and bargaining rights for Transportation Security Officers as well as for important technology investments. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory (OPLA) at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied for OPLA attorneys Public Liability Insurance to be paid by the agency. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Lobbied Senate staff engaged in immigration and homeland security matters to raise awareness about the impact of the Department of Homeland Securitys Circumvention of Lawful Pathways Final Rule on USCIS asylum and refugee officers.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the SHOW UP Act and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of Income Rates) Act, H.R. 536 and S. 124 to provide an 8.7% increase in federal employees pay in 2024. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against enactment of new excepted service and direct-hire authorities proposed in various bill including the NDAA. Lobbied for greater ethics disclosures for contractors working within the federal government, e.g., within the Cyber Reserve service. Lobbied in favor of higher bonuses for federal workers who recommend cost-saving improvements in their agencies. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the "Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act;" lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank-and-file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the "DC Admissions Act," H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied against resolutions of disapproval to overturn DC Laws, including H.J. Res. 24, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 and H.J. Res. 26, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the "Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act." Lobbied in support to H.R. 866, the "Equal COLA Act" for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the "Chance to Compete Act of 2023," and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee and lobbied this issue in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act," H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the "Military Spouse Employment Act." Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation-HUD

Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for the re-instatement of GS-14 career ladder position. Lobbied for the creation of a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements). Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R.1378, the Veterans Appeals Backlog Improvement Act. Lobbied for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans Appeals. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied to amend 38 USC 7422. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act. VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Infrastructure: Lobbied for restriction on VAs authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. Privatization: Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VAs own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied against H.R. 3520, the Veteran Improvement Act, S 1315, Veterans HEALTH Act of 2023, and the Making Community Care Work for Veterans Act (not introduced as of 7-14-23), which would codify community care access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VAs own healthcare. Lobbied against potential closure or privatization of services at VA Medical Centers in Philadelphia and Coatesville, PA. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters: Sent a letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee for an April 28, 2023, Committee Markup. Provided a Statement for the Record for the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs hearing titled Reviewing VAs Implementation of the PACT Act on May 16, 2023. Submitted Testimony on behalf of MJ Burke, First Executive Vice President, National VA Council, AFGE who testified at a House Veterans Affairs Committee joint subcommittees on Health and Oversight and Investigation hearing, VHA Recruitment and Retention: Is Bureaucracy Holding Back a Quality Workforce? on May 17, 2023. Submitted Testimony on behalf of AFGE Member David Bump, who testified on behalf of AFGE at a House Veterans Affairs Committee joint subcommittees on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs and Technology Modernization hearing titled From Months to Hours: The Future of VA Benefits Claim Processing on June 6, 2023. Sent a Letter to the House and Senate Veterans Affairs Committees calling for additional oversight at the Board of Veterans Appeals on May 22, 2023. Sent a letter to Senate Veterans Affairs Committee commenting on bills under consideration at the July 12, 2023, legislative hearing. Sent a letter to the House Veterans Affairs Committee, Health Subcommittee commenting on bills under consideration at the June 21, 2023, legislative hearing. Specific Legislation: Lobbied for reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the "Social Security Fairness Act to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322 the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act and S. 1658, the Law Enforcement Officers Parity Act as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R. 1378, the Veterans Appeals Backlog Improvement Act. Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023. Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure and certification reimbursement, covid leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at VA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of VA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to amend parts of the "VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act." Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring Our PACT Act." Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 4278 / S.2158, the Restore Department of Veterans Affairs Accountability Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 366, Korean American VALOR Act. Lobbied for changes to H.R. 1089, the VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 1530, the Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3504, the VA Medical Center Security Report Act. Lobbied in support of, S. 1951, the Department of Veterans Affairs Income Eligibility Standardization Act, which would eliminate subcategories of priority for enrollment to make more veterans eligible for enrollment in VA health care. Lobbied in support of the, S. 1954, the Improving Whole Health for Veterans with Chronic Conditions Act, which would create a pilot to provide dental benefits to veterans with diabetes and ischemic heart disease. Lobbied in opposition to S. 1545, Veterans Health Care Freedom Act, which would set up a pilot program to allow veterans to choose community providers at their preference without the need for referral by the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans Health Care Eligibility Acc, which establishes the Commission on Eligibility (staffed with bipartisan congressional and presidential appointees) to examine veterans' eligibility for health care from the VA. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 41, VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023, which requires the VA to ensure that when a veteran enrolled in the VA health care system contacts the VA by telephone to schedule an appointment for care or services at a VA facility, the appointment must be scheduled on that same call. Lobbied in support of S. 1113, the Nurse Staffing Standards for Hospital Patient Safety and Quality Care Act, which would set minimum nurse-patient staffing requirements for public and private health care systems, including VA and Department of Defense medical facilities. Lobbied in support of H.R. 542, the "Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act." Brown staffing ratio bill. Same day scheduling bill.

FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for reintroduction of the "Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act." Lobbied for USDA to improve conditions for workers at the Beltsville Agriculture Research Center. Lobbied in support of S. 272 and H.R. 805 the, "Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023" led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern.

Lobbied against passage of H.R. 139, the SHOW UP Act and its provisions that would abrogate collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied to explain the benefits of telework and remote work for federal employees, for the economy and the environment. Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the FAIR (Federal Adjustment of Income Rates) Act, H.R. 536 and S. 124 to provide an 8.7% increase in federal employees pay in 2024. Lobbied against cutting services at federal agencies, pay and benefits of federal employees, Social Security and Medicare as a precondition of raising the debt ceiling. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 140, the Protecting Speech from Government Interference Act; lobbied to limit the definition of censorship, to reduce or eliminate penalties for rank and file government workers, and to defeat the Perry amendment related to use of union official time. Lobbied in support of the DC Admissions Act, H.R. 51 and S. 51 to make the D.C. a state. Lobbied against resolutions of disapproval to overturn DC Laws, including H.J. Res. 24, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Local Resident Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2022 and H.J. Res. 26, Disapproving the Action of the District of Columbia Council in Approving the Revised Criminal Code Act of 2022. Lobbied in support of the joint resolution removing the deadline for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment, S.J. Res. 4. Lobbied in support of inclusion of public financial disclosure provisions in S. 885, the Department of Homeland Security Civilian Cybersecurity Reserve Act. Lobbied in support to H.R. 866, the Equal COLA Act for Federal Employee Retirement System beneficiaries cost-of-living adjustment to be the same as Civil Service Retirement System benefits rather than arbitrarily cut by one full percentage point. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 159 / S. 59, the Chance to Compete Act of 2023, and lobbied against proposed changes to weaken provisions of the bill by providing opt-outs, delaying implementation, and eliminating the passing score requirement. Lobbied on behalf of Social Security workforce on agency funding, the collective bargaining agreement, telework, and recruitment and retention benefits. Lobbied in support of S. 393, the "Social Security Expansion Act" to expand Social Security benefits, improve solvency and repeal GPO and WEP. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee and lobbied this issue in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied in support of the Honoring Our Fallen TSA Officers Act, H.R. 871, granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against expansion of a GAO study on remote work considered as an amendment to S. 349, the Military Spouse Employment Act. Lobbied for passage of H.R. 82 and S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 to fully repeal GPO and WEP. Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation-HUD

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Agriculture Research Service (ARS), Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA). Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD. Lobbied S. 272 and H.R. 805 of the Industrial Agricultural Accountability Act of 2023 led by Sen. Booker and Rep. McGovern. Lobbied for progressive, worker friendly provisions in the Farm Bill.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, or any changes to FEHB retiree benefits. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services.

Submitted requests for appropriations, report language and legislative language affecting the federal workforce in the following appropriations bills: Agriculture Commerce, Justice, Science Defense Energy and Water Financial Services and General Government Homeland Security Interior, Environment Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Military Construction, Veterans Affairs State, Foreign Operations Transportation-HUD Lobbied for a clean increase to the federal debt ceiling to avoid a default. Lobbied against passage of H.R. 187 the Default Prevention Act, which in lieu of raising the debt ceiling would seek to avoid a default by creating a tiered payment system prioritizing Treasury payments to bondholders at the expense of federal employees, contractors, and others Lobbied for an 8.7% increase in federal by for 2024 in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for funds for hiring additional personal at the Federal Labor Relations Authority in the FY 2024 Financial Services Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for pay for Transportation Security Officers in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for personnel in the Office of Principal Legal Advisor at Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for personnel who conduct work in refugee, asylum and other humanitarian programs at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services be funded through appropriated funds rather than through fees for other CIS services in the FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Lobbied for additional funds for more Railroad Safety Inspectors and better pay for existing inspectors at the Federal Railroad Administration in the FY 2024 Transportation-HUD Appropriations bill. Lobbied to restore budget and personnel cuts at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, funded through the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill

Lobbied on the following issues in the Defense Appropriation for Fiscal Year 2024: 1.Carrying forward section 8012 of Pub. L. 117-328, Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023 Division C (Dec. 29, 2022) without alteration in opposition to proposal of House Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittee Chair Ken Calvert (R-CA41) to establish arbitrary backfill ratio based on attrition to reduce Department of Defense (DoD) civilian workforce. 2.Adding new provision that would require contract services comply with budgetary requirements of section 4506 of title 10 to produce funding tables for contracted services in the same appropriations for which funding tables are currently displayed in the Defense Appropriation for DoD civilian employees. Provided questions for record to House and Senate Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittees on total force management, DoD civilian hiring and talent management, and the Defense Health Activity reorganization. Lobbied on the following issues in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024: 1.Proposed markup amendment as member request to strengthen total force management through amendment of section 129a of title 10. The proposal would amend subsection (b) to clarify the process for documenting DoD civilian workforce sizing decisions. The proposal further amends subsection (c) clarifying responsibilities of the Under Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness). The proposal amends subsection (d) to improve the completeness of the contractor inventory. The proposal would add a new subsection (f) that would require the Department of Defense to brief Congress with each budget submission specific data analytics linking the DoD civilian workforce to readiness, lethality and stress on the force metrics. The proposal would add a new subsection (g) that would require service contracts be subjected to the same workload validation and prioritization requirements processes currently applied to military and civilian force structure; and finally the proposal would add a new subsection (h) that would require funding tables for services contracts similar to the funding tables in each National Defense Authorization Act and Defense Appropriation for the DoD civilian workforce for services contracts paid out of the same appropriations as the DoD civilian workforce. 2.Proposed markup and floor amendment for H.R. 159 Chance to Compete Act. 3.Proposed consideration of floor amendment for H.R. 1322 and S. 1888, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act, currently re-introduced as H.R. 1322, after its markup in the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. 4.Proposed converting Department of Defense Non-Appropriated Fund Child Care workforce to appropriated fund. 5.Proposed scholarship program for medical workforce similar to section 1535 of the H.R. 1776, James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024. 6.Lobbied for repeal or waiver of section 865 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2019 (Pub. L. 115-232) pertaining to the presumptions on Research, Development, Test and Evaluation expenditures by the government versus the private sector for weapon systems relevant to negotiations for access to intellectual property. 7.Lobbied for repeal or waiver of the definition of commercial item in section 103 and 103a of title 41 for sole-source non-competitive procurements of weapon systems. 8.Lobbied for ceasing use of arbitrary time limits on depot carryover. 9.H.R. 1776, James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2024 Section 1108, Eligibility of Department of Defense employees in time-limited appointments to compete for permanent appointments. 10.Lobbied for the Department of Defense to use of Section 1108 Section 1108, Eligibility of Department of Defense employees in time-limited appointments to compete for permanent appointments to convert such appointments to permanent positions in the ammunition plants, Anniston Army depot and throughout the organic defense industrial base. 11.Lobbied for the Department of Defense to improve its compliance with sections 2464 (core logistics rule), 2466 (50-50 rule) and 2476 (capitol investment requirements for depots) of title 10. 12.Lobbied for the Department of Defense to support amendment of section 737 of the Financial Services General Government (FSGG) appropriation by raising the cap on Wage Grade pay while retaining the floor to improve recruitment and retention of Department of Defense civilian workforce within the organic industrial base. 13.Lobbied the Department of Defense and Congress to increase it use of the organic industrial base to address ammunition, missile, artillery, armored vehicle shortfalls in Ukraine and replenish shortages needed to deter China and other threats to national security. 14.Lobbied Congress and the Department of Defense for repeal of section 1595 of title 10 to afford faculty at the Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) education in force and other protections under title 5. Additionally lobbied for a study to determine whether DLIFLC was handicapped in the program and budget process by having the Army as its Executive Agent; as well as proposed additional funds and Full Time Equivalents to retain Pashtu faculty to avoid under-execution. 15.Lobbied Congress against DoD legislative proposal, Application of Acquisition Demonstration Project to Department of Air Force Employees Assigned to Support United States Strategic Command and United States Space Command Enterprises. 16.Lobbied Congress to Support DoD legislative proposal for One Year Extension of Temporary Authority to Grant Allowances, Benefits and Gratuities to Civilian Personnel on Official Duty in a Combat Zone. 17.Lobbied Congress to support DoD legislative proposal for One year extension of Authority to Waive Annual Limitation on Premium Pay and Aggregate Limitations on Pay for Federal Civilian Employees working Overseas. 18.Lobbied to place limitations on DoD legislative proposal for Direct Hire Authority for Certain Personnel of the Department of Defense, amending section 9905 of title related to (1) support operations positions, and (2) positions in support of public safety, law enforcement, and first responder. Also suggested that the Departments opposition H.R. 1322 and S. 1888, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act, currently re-introduced as H.R. 1322, is at the root of its hiring problems for Law Enforcement Officers. 19.Lobbied against DoD legislative proposal, Improvements to Use of Cyber and Information Technology Workforce for Enterprise Information Technology, and offering to withdraw opposition if all conditions laid out in Strengthening Force Management amendment proposal were enacted and implemented. 20.Lobbied in support of DoD legislative proposal, Removal of Washington Headquarters Service Direct Support From Personnel Limitation on the Office of the Secretary of Defense. 21.Lobbied to retain limitations on DoD legislative proposal for Consolidation of Direct Hire Authorities for Candidates with Specified Degrees at Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories. 22.Lobbied on DoD legislative proposal for Authority to Provide for Increased Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay for Civilian Employees of the Department of Defense. 23.Provided general arguments against direct hire authority proposals of the Department of Defense and with respect to the Cyber Excepted Service. 24.Lobbied Defense Business Board on civilian talent management and on behalf of AFGE Local 1263 relating to faculty at Defense Language Institute, Foreign Language Center to support repeal of section 1595 of title 10, oppose recommendations to expand use of term or temporary hiring and direct hire authorities. Provided copies to Senate and House Armed Services Committees and lobbied Congress on same issue. AFGE sent the following letters to Congress and the Department of Defense in connection with Defense-related Issues: 1.AFGE Legislative Department Letter to Senate and House Appropriations Committee, Defense Subcommittee, copied to Senate and House Armed Services Committee Members opposing proposed reductions of the DoD civilian workforce dated February 23, 2023. 2.AFGE National President Letter to Defense Business Board, copied to Congress, on civilian talent management dated February 30, 2023. 3.AFGE Local 1263 President Letter to Defense Business Board, copied to Congress, opposing extension of term and temporary hiring and supporting repeal of section 1595 of title 10 dated March 15, 2023. 4.AFGE Legislative Department Letter to Senate and House Appropriations Committee, Defense Subcommittee on appropriations member requests dated March 16, 2023. 5.AFGE National President Letter to Secretary of Defense, copied to Congress, on organic industrial base dated March 27, 2023.

Lobbied for provisions in FY 2024 Homeland Security appropriations bill to fund humanitarian services at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services including refugee and asylum applications through appropriations rather than through fees for other services. Lobbied for appropriated funds for USCIS Fraud Detection and National Security in place of funding these services through fees because this function is vital to the legal immigration system and border security.

Lobbied for Cathy Harris to serve as a member of and Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Lobbied for confirmation of Julie Su to serve as Secretary of the Department of Labor. Lobbied for confirmation Kalpana Kotagal to be a Member of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "Federal Adjustment of Income Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 8.7%. Lobbied in support of extending the COVID presumption of workplace exposure for eligibility for FECA from the year 2030 to a later date to allow all eligible recipients to receive the benefit for longer period. Lobbied in support of H.R. 856/S. 274, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees twelve weeks of paid leave for instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees.

Veterans Benefits Administration: Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Board of Veterans Appeals: Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for the re-instatement of GS-14 career ladder position. Lobbied for the creation of a journeyman GS-15 position. Lobbied for the re-instatement of experience requirements for Board of Veterans Appeals Members (Veterans Law Judgements), Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R.1378, the Veterans Appeals Backlog Improvement Act. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the VA Accountability Act. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. Lobbied to have Congress require the VA to return the HR functions back to VA facilities and to appropriate funding for it. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322/S. (pending reintroduction), the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act as it pertains to VA Police Officers. VA Asset Infrastructure Review (AIR) Act: Lobbied for restriction on VAs authority to close or reduce services at rural healthcare facilities in the 2024 VA Military Construction appropriations bill. Lobbied against continued increased spending on community care at the expense of VAs own staffing and infrastructure. Lobbied against Congress codifying the community access standards that create a bias toward referral to community care over VAs own healthcare. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters: Provided a Statement for the Record for the House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Building an Accountable VA: Applying Lessons Learned to Drive Future Success on February 28, 2023. Provided a Statement for the Record for the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations hearing on Accountability at VA: Leadership Decisions Impacting its Employees and Veterans on March 9, 2023. Provided a Statement for the Record for the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on Strengthening Methods of Recruitment and Retention for VAs Workforce, March 22, 2023. Provided comments to the House Veterans Affairs Committee Subcommittee hearing for a March 29, 2023, legislative hearing on: H.R. 41 VA Same-Day Scheduling Act of 2023; H.R. 754, Modernizing Veterans Health Care Eligibility Act; and H.R. 542, Elizabeth Dole Home-and Community-Based Services for Veterans and Caregivers Act. Provided comments to Senate Veterans Affairs Committee for February 16, 2023, markup of S.10, The VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act. Provided questions to committee members for the House Appropriations Committee, subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies, March 29, 2023. Specific Legislation: Lobbied for reintroduction of the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 536/S. 124, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 866/S. (pending reintroduction) "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 82/S. 597, the Social Security Fairness Act to protect VA employees affected by the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO). Lobbied in support of H.R. 543, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1322/S. (pending reintroduction), the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to H.R.1378, the Veterans Appeals Backlog Improvement Act. Lobbied for changes to S. 10 the " VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act of 2023. Lobbied for changes to S. 10, the "VA Clinician Appreciation, Recruitment, Education, Expansion, and Retention Support (CAREERS) Act related to market pay, performance pay, cost of living adjustments, licensure and certification reimbursement, COVID leave flexibility, and recruitment and retention at VA community living centers. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to the inclusion of VA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, and Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees. Lobbied to renew a defunded corpsmen and medic vocational education and training program Grow Our Own. Lobbied for the reintroduction of the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to amend parts of the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. Lobbied for oversight of the Honoring Our PACT Act.

FY 2024 Foreign Operations Appropriations --lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State employees and the funding level for the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied to prevent a Reduction in Force (RIF) at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting. Lobbied for the State Department to remove an employee hosting and writing hate content on an extreme hate website.

FY 2024 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations, Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use.

Lobbied to ensure the wealthiest American individuals and companies pay their fair share of taxes. Lobbied to increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 884 and S. 357, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 638, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high‐level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly. Lobbied to ensure Congress raise taxes on the rich and corporations and use the money to make major investments benefiting working families while also reducing the deficit.

Lobbied in support of a strong collective bargaining agreement with full rights and protections for EPA workers. FY 2024 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 on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. Lobbied in support of full funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. FY 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations Lobbied on provisions relating to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL) facilities, human capital authority at NETL and cuts in funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL.

FY 2024 Agriculture Appropriations - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for reintroduction of the "Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act."

FY 2024 Homeland Security Appropriations - Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of DHS employees in CIS, ICE-Professionals, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied for full funding for FEMA and adequate numbers of full time FEMA employees. Lobbied in support the "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act" and its pending reintroduction. The legislation would grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) collective bargaining rights and GS pay under Title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2024 budget request for GS-level pay for Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 871, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied in support of reintroduction of the "Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration (FASTER) Act," to amend title 49, United States Code, to ensure that revenues collected from passengers as aviation security fees are used to help finance the costs of aviation security screening by repealing a requirement that a portion of such fees be credited as offsetting receipts and deposited in the general fund of the Treasury, and allowing funds to be used to pay the TSA workforce in the event of a government shutdown. Lobbied for additional positions at the Office of Principal Legal Advisory at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency to provide parity in legal teams with immigration judges at the Department of Justice. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation.

Lobbied Congress to require Federal Bureau of Prisons to provide safe staffing and workplace safety measures for correctional officers. Lobbied in opposition to augmentation and in support of full staffing, funding and workplace safety for correctional officers and all BOP staff. Lobbied in support of time and a half true overtime for BOP nurses FY 2023 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations (H.R. 8256). Lobbied for higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum-security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. Lobbied in support of H.R. 72, Thin Blue Line Act, which would make murdering a law enforcement officer an aggravated factor in sentencing for a capital crime. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3151 and S. 1721, Eric's Law which would allow the empaneling of a new jury if a jury fails to reach a unanimous verdict in a trial involving the murder of a law enforcement officer. Lobbied in support of reintroduction of the One America Many Voices Act. Lobbied in opposition to unilateral return to in person work for employees at the Small Business Administration. Lobbied in support of full multilingual opportunities and adequate compensation for employees at the Small Business Administration Government Funding: Lobbied for passage of a full-year omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2617) and against a year-long continuing resolution for FY 2023. Lobbied in support of H.R. 7489, the "Time Off to Vote Act" requiring employers, upon the request of an employee, to provide the employee with a minimum of two consecutive hours of paid leave in order to vote in a federal election. Government Funding: Lobbied for provisions in FY 2023 CJS Appropriations bill, H.R. 8256, to address the needs of the federal workforce and for timely action throughout the appropriations process to avert the need for continuing resolutions or a government shutdown.

Lobbied to increase funding for the IRS and better target IRS tax enforcement. Lobbied for H.R. 1786 and S. 725, a bill to end offshore corporate tax avoidance, and for other purposes, known as the "No Tax Breaks for Outsourcing Act." Lobbied for S. 994, a bill to reinstate estate and generation-skipping taxes, and for other purposes, known as the "For the 99.5% Act." Lobbied for H.R. 3007 and S. 1545, the "Disclosure of Tax Havens and Offshoring Act," require large, publicly traded corporations to disclose high level financial information (i.e., profits, revenues, taxes, number of employees, and assets) on a country-by-country basis to shine a spotlight on tax avoidance strategies and contribute to a fair and transparent tax system. Lobbied for H.R. 7502, the "Babies Over Billionaires Act" to make the ultra-wealthy pay their fair share of taxes to fund federal education and health programs. Lobbied in support of new tax revenues in the "Inflation Reduction Act." Lobbied to ensure workers at the U.S. Mint have a safe workplace where they are treated equitably and fairly.

Lobbied in support of a strong collective bargaining agreement with full rights and protections for EPA workers. FY 2023 Interior and Environmental Appropriations (H.R. 8262) -- Lobbied on provisions relating to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, job security, and contracting out of Department of Interior (DOI) employees. Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, implementation of Executive Order 14003, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. FY 2023 Energy and Water Appropriations (H.R. 8255) --Lobbied on provisions relating to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL) facilities, human capital authority at NETL and cuts in funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL. Lobbied in opposition to the NOAA Commissioned Officers Corps initiative to bypass competitive hiring.

FY 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations (H.R. 8257) - Lobbied on provisions on the pay, benefits, contracting out, staffing levels, funding, and job security of OHS employees in CIS, ICE, CIS, FEMA, FPS, USCG, and TSA. Lobbied for passage of S. 2293 the Civilian Reservist Emergency Workforce Act of 2021 to grant certain employee rights to FEMA reservist employees. Lobbied on issues surrounding safe workplaces under the coronavirus pandemic and standards for reopening of all agencies within Homeland Security. Lobbied in support of H.R. 903 and S. 1856, the "Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act," which would grant Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) rights under Title 5 of the U.S. code and for preparation for reintroduction of similar legislation in the Senate. Lobbied in support of the President's FY 2023 budget request for GS-level pay from Transportation Security Officers and an end to the diversion of the passenger security fee. Lobbied in support of H.R. 6856, the Securing Air Travel Act to increase penalties for firearms violations at TSA checkpoints. Lobbied to encourage cosponsors of H.R. 2616, the "Honoring Our Fallen TSA Heroes Act," ensuring public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against S. 4769, the "Registered Traveler Act of 2021 that would allow for the privatization of airport ID checks and allowing private companies to determine whether a passenger is subject to secondary screening. Lobbied in support of H.R. 1813 and S. 2717, the "Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration (FASTER) Act," to amend title 49, United States Code, to ensure that revenues collected from passengers as aviation security fees are used to help finance the costs of aviation security screening by repealing a requirement that a portion of such fees be credited as offsetting receipts and deposited in the general fund of the Treasury, and allowing funds to be used to pay the TSA workforce in the event of a government shutdown. Lobbied in support of H.R. 1893, the "Transportation Security Preparation Act of 2021" to provide for planning and preparation in the event of a future communicable disease outbreak. Lobbied in support of H.R. 1877, the "Security Screening During COVID-19 Act of 2021" to develop safe screening procedures during the ongoing pandemic. Lobbied in support of Hazardous Duty Pay for frontline employees and reintroduction of legislation. Lobbied to make Congress aware of changes to the accounting system at the Coast Guard which resulted in lengthy lapses in payments, mandatory overtime and uniformed personnel stepping in to assist in clearing the backlog. Lobbied in support of changes to the Department of Homeland Security's Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program during its next reauthorization, including improved training for inspectors, cyber-attack preparation. Government Funding: Lobbied for provisions in FY 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations bill, H.R. 8257 to address the needs of the federal workforce and for timely action throughout the appropriations process to avert the need for continuing resolutions or a government shutdown.

Lobbied to impress upon lawmakers the impact of cuts, freezes or insufficient COLAs on federal employees' compensation and benefits including requiring employees to pay additional salary towards retirement. Lobbied for a 5.1% pay increase for the federal workforce for 2023 and for fairer locality adjustments. FY 2023 Homeland Security Appropriations (H.R. 8257) -- Lobbied in support of additional funding of 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). FY 2023 Defense Appropriations (H.R. 8236) -- Lobbied in support of limitations on use of appropriated funds for service contracts unless their planning, programming and budgeting is in compliance with section 2329 of title 10 and related total force management statutes. FY 2023 Military Quality of Life Veterans Affairs Appropriations (H.R. 8238) - Lobbied in support for funding to hire new employees to fill vacancies; provisions to provide adequate funding for VA health and benefits programs and against further contracting out. Lobbied for the inclusion of language to prevent unilateral implementation of collective bargaining agreements. FY 2023 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Appropriations (H.R. 8238) - Lobbied in support of funding for VA healthcare and benefit staff and police officers; lobbied to eliminate funding for the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission. Lobbied to include Senate-proposed language to restrict closure of rural VA healthcare facilities. FY 2023 Interior and Environment Appropriations (H.R. 8262) -- Lobbied on provisions relating to full funding and staffing, implementation of Executive Order 14003, preventing the relocation, consolidation or closure of any EPA facility, and adequate health and safety protocols. FY 2023 Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations (H.R. 8295) -- Lobbied on contracting out, funding cuts to services such as college aid for students, rural healthcare services, and funding the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and status of collective bargaining. FY 2023 Appropriations (H.R. 8294) - partial omnibus appropriations for Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023; Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023; Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act, 2023; Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2023; Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023; and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023 - lobbied for passage and commented on numerous amendments and provisions. Lobbied for increased Social Security Administration funding and Congressional assistance on the status of collective bargaining. Lobbied to restore adequate funding to the Social Security Administration for field operations and for telework and a review of legal assistant positions in the Office of Hearing Operations. Lobbied on status of reopening offices, downsizing of office space, status of contract in light of Executive Order 14003 to renegotiation portions of contract affected by previous Trump executive orders. Lobbied in support for funding and revitalized infrastructure for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL). Lobbied for full funding and staffing at OSHA and MSHA. FY 2023 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations (H.R. 8254)-Lobbied for a 5.1% pay increase for all federal employees, for parity in locality pay boundaries for wage-grade employees and for paid family and medical leave. FY 2023 Commerce-Justice-Science Appropriations (H.R. 8256)--Lobbied in support of AFGE Council of Prison Locals legislative priorities including higher funding levels for Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and continued prohibition of closure of minimum security camps; lobbied for funding to hire adequate numbers of correctional staff; end the use of augmentation to compensate for lack of hiring correctional officer positions; alleviating overcrowding at high-security institutions; need to increase unit officer staff at high security institutions; and reduce the use of BOP contract prisons. FY 2023 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations (H.R. 8294) --Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees. Lobbied to fully fund authorized rail inspector positions at the Federal Rail Administration and for an upgrade to the GS-13 level for inspectors and for safety equipment for hazardous materials inspectors. FY 2023 Agriculture Appropriations (H.R. 8239) --Lobbied against provisions on contracting out of federal employee jobs and funding cuts to the Food Safety and Inspection Service. Lobbied against creation of a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef slaughter plants. FY 2023 Energy and Water Appropriations (H.R. 8255) --Lobbied on provisions relating to consolidation or closure of any National Energy Technology Laboratories (NETL) facilities, human capital authority at NETL and cuts in funding for fossil fuel research conducted at NETL. Lobbied in support of full official time rights for federal workers and lobbied in support of good faith bargaining negotiations between AFGE EEOC Council leaders and management specifically related to health and safety provisions related to return to work and adequate telework flexibility. Lobbied in support of H.R. 564 / S. 1158, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" to give federal employees paid leave to cover all instances covered under the Family and Medical Leave Act including to care for an immediate family member with a serious health condition, care for somebody's own serious health condition, or address circumstances relating to an immediate family member's active-duty. service in the Armed Forces. Lobbied for higher funding levels for the United States Census Bureau, American Community Survey, Economic Survey, and Bureau of Labor Statistics relocation. Government Funding: Lobbied for provisions in FY 2023 appropriations bills to address the needs of the federal workforce and for timely action throughout the appropriations process to avert the need for continuing resolutions or a government shutdown. Government Funding: Lobbied for passage of a full-year omnibus appropriations bill (H.R. 2617) and against a year-long continuing resolution for FY 2023.

Lobbied to protect the Federal Employee Health Benefits Plan and against any premium increases, particularly with any effects of postal reform legislation. Lobbied in support of protecting federal employees' right to use existing paid sick leave policies to travel across state lines for medical care, including to get an abortion or other reproductive health services. Lobbied in opposition to provisions to limit federal employees' ability to use existing paid sick leave to access certain types of healthcare services including abortion and other reproductive healthcare services.

Requested Senate assistance on treatment of labor union and recognized bargaining unit employees at the Export-Import Bank. Lobbied for confirmation of Ernest DuBester to serve as Chair, Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA); for Kirk Rumsfeld to serve as General Counsel of FLRA and for Cathy Harris to serve as a member of and Chair of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Lobbied in support of passage of H.R. 8466, the Chai Suthammanont Healthy Federal Workplaces of 2022 to better protect the federal workforce in the face of the current Covid-19 Pandemic and future pandemics. Lobbied in support of H.R. 6398/S. 3518, the "Federal Adjustment of Income Rates" (FAIR) Act to increase pay for federal employees by 5.1%. Lobbied in support of extending the COVID presumption of workplace exposure for eligibility for FECA from the year 2030 to a later date to allow all eligible recipients to receive the benefit for longer period of time. Lobbied in support of H.R. 564/S. 1158, the "Comprehensive Paid Leave for Federal Employees Act" Lobbied in support of COVlD-19 health and safety protections for workers and good faith negotiations between labor and management related to return to in-person work for a number of agency employees including at EPA and EEOC. Lobbied in support of full funding and staffing at the Department of Labor including at OSHA and MSHA. Lobbied in support of adequate health and safety protections and good faith negotiations between labor and management for Bureau of Labor Statistics employees relocating from Washington, DC to Suitland, Maryland. Lobbied for an increase in pay and staffing of the Office of Civil Rights at the Department of Education. Lobbied in support of good faith bargaining and strong union role in return to work bargaining for EEOC employees.

FY 2023 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations, H.R. 8294 - Lobbied on contracting out, pay, benefits, and working conditions of federal employees in the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Lobbied to prevent the aggressive expansion of AI in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and ensure there is adequate oversight over existing AI use.

Lobbied for changes to and oversight of Veterans Benefits Administration's (VBA) employee performance standards. Lobbied for increased oversight and changes to performance standards for Legal Administrative Assistants in the VBA National Call Centers. Lobbied for comprehensive changes to internal VBA processes for claims, including changes to the VBA National Work Queue. Lobbied to require the VA to include VA employee input when making changes to the claims process, employee performance standards, and training for claims processors. Lobbied on the processing of complex claims within the Veterans Benefits Administration, including how it relates to Military Sexual Trauma, Traumatic Brain Injury, and catastrophic injury claims. Lobbied for the specialization of claims processing for highly complex cases. Lobbied for reimbursement for Bar Membership dues for attorneys working at the Board of Veterans' Appeals. Lobbied for changes to the Strengthening Oversight for Veterans Act that improperly authorizes an agency IG to issue testimonial subpoenas to former employees and others without the safeguards provided to current employees. Lobbied in support of the A.N.S. to H.R. 8510, the "Strengthening Whistleblower Protections at the Department of Veterans Affairs Act" to remove provisions that would improperly expand the Office of Special Counsel's authority at the expense of the neutral Merit Systems Protection Board and afford overly broad protections to SES members. C&P Exams: Lobbied against contracting out of Compensation and Pension (C&P) Exams and bringing those exams back into the VA. Lobbied to keep all specialty C&P Exams including but not limited to Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Military Sexual Trauma (MST), veterans who served as Prisoners of War (POWs), veterans who suffered catastrophic injuries, and veterans who are currently eligible (or will likely soon be eligible) to pursue toxic exposure claims. Lobbied for the VA to utilize more internal C&P Providers by hiring more staff and returning staff to C&P positions who had previously been reassigned. Lobbied to keep Integrated Disability Evaluation System (IDES) Exams within the VA. Lobbied for the continued oversight of contract C&P Exams. Lobbied to make C&P Exams available in every VA Medical Center. Lobbied to make sure the VA is in compliance with Section 2002 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020. Collective Bargaining Rights: Lobbied for H.R. 6682, the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to repeal parts of the "VA Accountability Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 1948/S. 771, the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied in support of the implementation of the withdrawal of President Trump's May 2018 Executive Orders 13836, 13837, and 13839. Lobbied in support of the implementation of President Biden's January 202 l Executive Order 14003: "Protecting the Federal Workforce in a timely fashion." Lobbied for oversight of the Biden Administration's implementation of Executive Order 4003. VA HR Modernization: Lobbied to address problems created by VA reorganization of its human resources processes including centralization and implementation of new information technology systems, and practices and policies related to filling and posting unfilled positions. VA Compensation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 6398/S. 3518, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of H.R. 304/S. 4221 "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3693, the "VA CPE Modernization Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 962/S. 1888, the Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act as it pertains to VA Police Officers. Lobbied in support of and for changes to S. 4156, the VA Workforce Improvement, Support, and Expansion (WISE) Act of 2022. Lobbied for increased compensation for mid-grade Title 38 employees in positions covered by the "VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act." Lobbied for the increased use of Market Pay Surveys for Title 38 employees, and for Congress to perform oversight over the VA to ensure these surveys are being completed regularly and accurately. VA Asset Infrastructure Review (AIR) Act Lobbied to block the confirmation of the AIR Commission members and prevent implementation of recommendations to close facilities and reduce patient capacity. Lobbied to repeal the AIR Act and in support of S. 4297, the "Elimination of the VA Asset and Infrastructure Review (AIR) Commission Act of 2022", a draft House companion bill, and a proposed amendment to H.R. 7900, the "National Defense Authorization Act", substantially similar to S. 4297. Lobbied to amend H.R. 8238, the "Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill, 2023" and parallel draft Senate legislation to prohibit closure of VA health care facilities based on certain VA recommendations to the AIR Commission. Lobbied for the VA to hire staff to fill its tens of thousands of vacancies. Lobbied for the inclusion of Questions for the Record to the VA Secretary on AIR Commission market assessment data transparency. Lobbied in support new legislation, existing legislation, and amendments to repeal the AIR Commission. Testimony, Statements for the Record, and Letters: Provided a Statement for the Record for the House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Fulfilling our Pact: Ensuring Effective Implementation of Toxic Exposure Legislation on December 7, 2022. Provided questions to committee members for the House Veterans Affairs Committee hearing Fulfilling our Pact: Ensuring Effective Implementation of Toxic Exposure Legislation on December 7, 2022. SFR for December 13, 2022 HVAC hearing on Review of the Role of the VA's Fourth Mission and Pandemic Response. Specific Legislation: Lobbied in support of H.R. 1948/S. 771, the "VA Employee Fairness Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 962/S. 1888, the "Law Enforcement Officer Equity Act" and the importance of this bill to the VA Police Force. Lobbied in support of H.R. 3693, the "VA CPE Modernization Act," and its amended version. Lobbied in support of H.R. 6398/S. 3518, the "FAIR Act" to raise pay for federal employees at the VA. Lobbied in support of S. 4156, the "VA Workforce Improvement, Support, and Expansion (WISE) Act of 2022. Also lobbied for specific changes to the bill related to VA Police Pensions, Continuing Professional Education Benefits, Performance Pay, Collective Bargaining Rights for Title 38 Employees, and changes for protections for former federal employees in relation to IG investigations. Lobbied in support of H.R. 304/S. 4221, the "Equal COLA Act" to protect VA employees in FERS. Lobbied in support of H.R. 6682, the "Protecting VA Employees Act" to amend parts of the VA Accountability and Whistleblower Protection Act. Lobbied in support of H.R. 4673, the "Ensuring Veterans' Smooth Transition Act" or "EVEST Act. Lobbied in support of S. 3372, to amend title 38, United States Code, to strengthen benefits for children of Vietnam veterans born with spina bifida, and for other purposes. Lobbied in support of S. 3548, the "Veterans Hearing Benefits Act of 2022." Lobbied in support of S. 4141, A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs as Advisory Committee on United States Outlying Areas and Freely Associated States, and for other purposes. Lobbied in support of S. 4308, the "Veterans Marriage Recognition Act." Lobbied in support of H.R. 8888, the Food Security for All Veterans Act. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 2800, the "Working to Integrate Networks Guaranteeing Member Access Now Act" or the "WINGMAN Act." Lobbied for changes to and supported H.R. 8510, the "Strengthening Whistleblower Protections at the Department of Veterans Affairs" as amended. Lobbied in support of H.R. 6823, the "Elizabeth Dole Home and Community Based Service for Veterans and Caregivers Act of 2022" as amended. Lobbied in support of H.R. 8260, the "Faster Payments to Veterans' Survivors Act of 2022." Lobbied in support of H.R. 5776, the "Serving Our LGBTQ Veterans Act." Lobbied for in support of and for technical changes to H.R. 8003, the "Restore Veterans Dignity Act of 2022." Lobbied in support of the amended version of H.R. 8313, the "House Every Veterans Act." Lobbied in opposition to the amended version of H.R. 291 the "COST SAVINGS Enhancement Act." Made comments on H.R. 6647, a bill to make certain improvements relating to the eligibility of veterans to receive reimbursement for emergency treatment furnished through the Veterans Community Care program, and for other purposes. Lobbied in opposition to H.R. 7188, the "Modernizing Department of Veterans Affairs Disability Benefit Questionnaires Act." Lobbied for oversight of the "Honoring the PACT Act." Lobbied in support of report language related to Department of Veterans affairs in H.R. 2617, the "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023," Including: - Support for the Cleland Dole Act and preferred changes to certain provisions. - Support for report language related to the VBA National Work Queue and performance standards for VBA Claims processors. - Support for report language exploring expanded dental coverage for eligible veterans. - Support for the filling of vacancies throughout the department. - Support for funding for the implementation of the "PACT Act" and the Toxic Exposure Fund.

Lobbied to prevent new line speed waivers and reduce existing waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for H.R. 1815 and S. 713, the "Safe Line Speeds in COYID-19 Act." FY 2023 Agriculture Appropriations (H.R. 8239) - Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to ensure USDA fixes critical health safety issues at its facilities in Beltsville, MD.

Lobbied on the following issues in H.R. 4373, the Further Additional Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023, which provides fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriations to Federal agencies through December 30, 2022, for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government. Division C Defense: 1. Supported retaining section 8012 language that clearly prohibits using appropriated funds to arbitrarily constrain the DoD civilian workforce to Full Time Equivalent personnel caps, End Strength, or maximum number of employees. Provision also prohibits arbitrary reductions of the programmed civilian full-time equivalents projected over the Future Years Defense Program years absent an appropriate analysis of the impacts on readiness, lethality, stress on the force, operational effectiveness, military force structure, workload and fully burdened costs. 2. Supported inclusion in section 8012 additional language prohibiting use of appropriated funds for term or temporary hiring for "enduring functions." 3. Supported inclusion of language in the FY 2023 Defense Appropriations bill that mandates compliance with contract service planning, programming, and budgeting statutory requirements and Total Force Management statutory limitations on privatization (including compliance with the public-private competition moratorium). 4. Verified that continuing resolution carried forward existing Omnibus FY2022 appropriation riders, such as section 8012. 5. Confirmed that FSGG Appropriation Rider No. 741 prohibiting public-private competitions pursuant to OMB Circular A-76 was carried forward. Lobbied on the following provisions within the H.R. 7776, the James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023: 1. Lobbied to strike S. 4543, Section 1107, Modification of the effective date of repeal of two-year probationary period for employees, which was stricken from final bill. 2. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900, Section 5705, "Limitation on exception of competitive service requirements," and corresponding S. Amendment No. 5886 that would prevent any position in the competitive service from being reclassified to an excepted service schedule that was created after September 30, 2020, and limits federal employee reclassifications to the five excepted service schedules in use prior to fiscal year 2021. These were not included in the final bill. 3. Lobbied to include S. 3423, Chance to Compete Act and exclude the significantly different H.R. 6967, Chance to Compete Act, pertaining to modernizing and strengthening the competitive service, with the result that nothing was included in the final bill. 4. Lobbied to clarify H.R. 7900, Section 1533, "Comprehensive review of Cyber Excepted Service" and S. 4543, Section 1114, "Report on Cyber Excepted Service," which were included in final bill as Section 1541: Comprehensive Review of Civilian Cyber Excepted Service. 5. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900, Title LVIII, Subtitle B, "Rights of the TSA Workforce Act of2022", that includes sections 5931 that would enhance the security operations of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and stability of the transportation security workforce. This was not included in Division G in the final bill. 6. Lobbied against S. 4542, Section 1112, "Civilian Cyber Security Reserve Pilot," H.R. 7900, Section 1112, "National Digital Reserve Corps," and S. Amendment No. 6279 that would establish a civilian Cyber Security Reserve Pilot at the Cyber Security and Infrastructure Security Agency. These became Section 1540: Independent assessment of Civilian Cyber Security Reserve for Department of Defense. 7. Lobbied to change and improve H.R. 7900, Section 5867, Department of Defense Cyber and Digital Service Academy, S. 4542, Section 1111, Department of Defense Cyber and Digital Service Academy, and S. Amendment No. 6211, which became Section 1535: Department of Defense Cyber and Digital Service Academy. 8. Lobbied against H.R. 7900 section 631, "Prohibition on sale of Chinese goods in commissary stores and military exchanges," which became Section 651: Prohibition of the sale of certain goods from the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region in commissaries and exchanges. 9. Lobbied against H.R. 7900 section 2814, "Privatization of Navy and Air Force transient housing," and S. Amendment 6375 which was not include but instead directive report language on page 412 of the Joint Explanatory Statement to Accompany H.R. 7776 requires a report to address GAO findings. 10. Lobbied to make adjustments to the Operation and Maintenance, Defense-Wide Funding tables in H.R. 7900 addressed in the July 12, 2022, Statement of Administration Policy to prevent the use of a Reduction in Force in certain Defense Agencies and Field Activities." Further lobbied to make reductions to contract services accounts working in headquarters but mis-reported in non-headquarters program elements. 11. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900 Section 804, "Life cycle management and product support," which became Section 806: Life cycle management and product support. 12. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900, Section 367, "Clarification of calculation for certain workload carryover of Department of Army," which became Section 377, Clarification of calculation for certain workload carryover of the Department of the Army. 13. Lobbied to clarify H.R. 7900 Section 831, "Key experiences and enhanced pay authority for acquisition workforce excellence," to ensure that participation in "public-private talent exchanges" remains voluntary. This became Section 831: Key experiences and enhanced pay authorities for acquisition workforce excellence. 14. Lobbied to clarify H.R. 7900, Section 802 and S. 4542 Section 822 on "Data requirements for commercial item pricing not based on adequate price competition, which became Section 803: Data requirements for commercial products for major weapon systems. 15. Lobbied to support S. 4542, Section 827, "Progress payment incentive pilot," which was not included in the final bill. 16. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900, Title LXII, "District of Columbia National Guard Horne Rule" reflected in Sections 6251 through 6255 and S. Amendment No. 6155, which were not included in the final bill. 17. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900 Section 5907, "Presumption of cause of disability or death due to employment in fire protection activities," and S. Amendment No. 5837 Fairness for Federal Firefighters, which became Section 5305: Fairness for Federal Firefighters in the final bill. 18. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900 Section 5107, "Elimination of Asset and Infrastructure Review Commission," which was not included in the final bill. 19. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900, Section 609E, "Pay for DoD and Coast Guard childcare providers: studies; adjustment." 20. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900, Section 1107, "Inflation bonus pay for certain Department of Defense civilian employees," which was not included in the final bill. 21. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900, Section 1109, "GAO study on Federal Wage System parity with local prevailing wage rate," which was not included in the final bill. 22. Lobbied to support H.R. 7900, Section 5127, "Competitive pay for health care providers of the Department of Veterans Affairs," which became Section 5122, Competitive pay for health care providers of Department of Veterans Affairs. In the final bill. 23. Lobbied to support R.R. 7900, Section 868, "Prohibition on contracting with employers that violated the National Labor Relations Act;" as well as Section 5817, "Prohibition on contracting with persons with willful or repeated violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938," and corresponding S. Amendment No. 6157 on which were not included in the final bill. 24. Lobbied to strike S. 4543, Section 525, "Prohibition on considering State laws and regulations when determining individual duty assignments," which was not included in the final bill. 25. Lobbied to support R.R. 7900, Section 780, "Limitation On Realignment or Reduction of Military Medical Manning End Strength; Certification Requirement and Other Reforms," which was included in the final bill as Section 741: Limitation on reduction of military medical manning and strength certification requirements and other reforms. 26. Lobbied to support and modify H.R. 7900, Section 387, "National Standards For Federal Fire Protection At Military Installations," which became Section 388, "National Standards For Federal Fire Protection At Military Installations, in the final bill. 27. Lobbied to include S. 1888 "The Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act," as an amendment and no amendment was offered. 28. Lobbied about the issue of compliance with existing title 10 "total force management" provisions enacted in prior National Defense Authorization Acts since 2017. 29. Lobbied in support of the $750 million increase in the Defense Commissary Agency Working Capital (DeCA) appropriation in R.R. 7900, and S. Amendment No. 6256 asking for a $550 million increase. The final bill authorized a $350 million increase. 30. Lobbied to support Sec. 1102, Modification and extension of authority to waive annual limitation on premium pay and aggregate limitation on pay for Federal civilian employees working overseas. 31. Lobbied to support Sec. 1103, One-year extension of temporary authority to grant allowances, benefits, and gratuities to civilian personnel on official duty in a combat zone. 32. Lobbied to support Sec. 1104, Standardized credentials for law enforcement officers of the Department of Defense. 33. Commented on Sec. 1106, Enhanced pay authority for certain research and technology positions in science and technology reinvention laboratories. 34. Commented on Sec. 1107, Flexible workplace programs. 35. Lobbied to support Sec. 1108, Eligibility of Department of Defense employees in time-limited appointments to compete for permanent appointments. 36. Commented on Sec. 1109. Modification to personnel management authority to attract experts in science and engineering. 37. Commented on Sec. 1110, Modification and extension of pilot program on dynamic shaping of the workforce to improve the technical skills and expertise at certain department of defense laboratories. 38. Lobbied and suggested modifications to Sec. 1111, Modification of temporary expansion of authority for noncompetitive appointments of military spouses by federal agencies. 39. Lobbied and suggested modifications to Sec. 1112, Modification to pilot program for the temporary assignment of cyber and information technology personnel to private sector organization. 40. Lobbied to support S. Amendment No. 6228, that would increase death gratuities and funeral allowances for federal employees. 41. Lobbied to support S. Amendment No. 6184, First Responders Fair Retirement, that would allow disabled federal first responders (e.g., law enforcement officers, customs and border protection officers, and firefighters) to continue receiving federal retirement benefits in the same manner as though they had not been disabled. This was not included in final bill. 42. Lobbied to support S. Amendment No. 6251, requiring a review of the pay for Department of Defense and Coast Guard Child Care providers. 43. Lobbied to support Section 665: Studies on compensation for DoD childcare providers. 44. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 6043, that would expand the so- called pilot program on enhanced personnel management system for cybersecurity and legal professionals in the Department of Defense, to the rest of the Departments civilian workforce. This was not included in final bill. 45. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 5548, that would allow the extension of term appointments for up to six years. This was not included in the final bill. 46. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 5542 that would modify the Criteria for granting direct-hire authority to agencies. This was not included in the final bill. 47. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 5555 that would permanently exempt Domestic Defense Industrial Base Facilities, Major Range and Test Facilities Base and the Office of the Director of Test and Evaluation from the examination, certification and appointment provisions of subchapter I of chapter 33 of title 5, United States Code. This was not included in the final bill. 48. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 5550, that would raise the threshold from 15 percent to 25 percent for hiring recent college graduates into professional or administrative positions in the competitive service without regard to the examination, certification and appointment requirements of title 5. This was excluded from the final bill. 49. Lobbied to oppose S. Amendment No. 5559 that limited the use of scientific information in rulemaking by federal agencies. This was not included in the final bill. 50. Lobbied to oppose S. Amendment No. 5547 that would make changes to the socioeconomic labor threshold for service contracts. This was not included in the final bill. 51. Lobbied to modify S. Amendment No. 5620, relating to the hiring practices in the Department of State Authorization Act related to Section 5502 on the Cyber workforce. This was included in the final bill. 52. Lobbied to support S. Amendment No. 5463, that would regulate how access to public education is to be considered when making basing decisions for the Department of Defense. This was excluded from the final bill. 53. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5631, that prohibits the reduction of Senior Executive Service positions at the Navy Laboratories and Naval Surface Warfare Centers. 54. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5632, that prohibits elimination of Chemical Biological Incident Response Force of the Marine Corps. 55. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5629, that regulates the movement or consolidation of the Joint Spectrum Center to Fort Meade or another appropriate location. 56. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 5622, directing a study to identify duplicative research programs within the Department of Defense. 57. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 5623, providing a Sense of the Senate regarding recognizing National debt as a threat to National Security. 58. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5613, directing a briefing to Congress on the source of the repair decision-making process for depots and the costs and risks to readiness resulting from those decisions. This briefing would include an objective balance of workload between the public and private sectors. 59. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5604, directing an Air Force assessment of combat-to-dwell policy and health within the remotely piloted aircraft community. 60. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5598, that directed an assessment of conflicts of interest among consulting firms, such as Deloitte and McKinsey & Company. 61. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5582, that requires the Department to clarify the roles and responsibilities for force modernization within the Army. 62. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 6349, The Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, ensuring non-discrimination and reasonable accommodations among employers of pregnant workers. 63. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 6398, The Electoral Count Reform Act, which was not included in this bill. 64. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 6440, requiring a report and training related to food insecurity among military personnel and their families. 65. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 6081, prohibiting indefinite detention of citizens and lawful permanent residents. 66. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 6110, arbitrarily restricting Internal Revenue Service hiring, which was not included in the final bill. 67. Lobbied against S. Amendments No. 6217 and 6218, that would require a GAO report on alternative modeling for locality pay formulations, which were not included in the final bill. 68. Lobbied to support S. Amendment No. 5852, providing for leave relating for abortion care and services for members of the Armed Forces, suggesting the need for a similar provision for federal employees and their families. 69. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5855, requiring a study and report on the rate of cancer -related morbidity and mortality for individuals assigned to Pease Air Force Base and Pease Air National Guard Base. 70. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5880, requiring disclosure to Congress of Presidential Emergency Action documents. 71. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5902, of the PLUM Act, that requires a periodically updated public website on political appointee positions. 72. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 6156, that would arbitrarily reduce by one percent any amount available to a Defense Component in the absence of an unqualified audit opinion. This was not included in the final bill. 73. Commented on of S. Amendment No. 5950, The Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023, which was included in the final bill. 74. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 5561 on the blended workforce that would undercount the number of contractors providing services to federal agencies by relying on counting only contractors with access to agency property or computer systems. 75. Lobbied in support S. of Amendment No. 6294, on the Department of Defense providing support to Defense-affiliated families (military and civilian) supplanted from the Departments child development centers. 76. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 6295, that affirms as one of the main objectives of the NDAA to include the capacity of public shipyards to meet current and anticipated needs of the Navy to maintain and repair ships. 77. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 6326, that would provide that the scorecard for basing decisions used by the military departments be coordinated with the Secretary of Defense to ensure consistency and be published for public comment in the Federal Register. 78. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5922, directing a Department of Defense report on the adequacy of the cost-of-living allowance for members of the military, requesting it also include the impact on the Departments civilian workforce. 79. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5819, that would expand the Commissary store doorstop delivery pilot program. 80. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 6007, that would require the Department of Defense to provide its rationale for Active and Reserve end strengths and its civilian workforce projections. 81. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 6013, establishing a framework for Congressional review of National Emergencies. 82. Lobbied in support S. Amendment No. 5729, directing a review by the Department of the Army of its execution of food service contracts. 83. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 6174, requiring a report on credit and debit card user fees imposed on veterans and caregivers at Commissary stores and MWR facilities. 84. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5831, that would require a report on blood testing of Department of Defense firefighters for exposure to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances. 85. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 5751, requiring the Department of Defense to appoint a senior official responsible for addressing food insecurity. 86. Lobbied in support of S. Amendment No. 6046 that would rescind the medals of honor awarded to Soldiers who participated in the Wounded Knee massacre on December 29, 1890. This was not included in the final bill. 87. Lobbied against S. Amendment No. 6049 that would establish a White House position at Cabinet level equivalency that overlaps with the responsibilities of the Office of Personnel Management, the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, and state and tribal governments pertaining to volunteer, Defense and civil service positions. This was not included in final bill. 88. Lobbied in support of Section 665: Studies on compensation for DoD childcare providers. 89. Lobbied in support of Section 714: Maintenance of Core Casualty Receiving Facilities to improve medical force readiness. 90. Lobbied in support of Section 715: Congressional notification requirement to modify scope of services provided at military medical treatment facilities. 91. Lobbied in support of Section 731: Briefing and report on reduction or realignment of military medical manning and medical billets. 92. Commented on Section 742: Feasibility study on establishment of Department of Defense internship programs relating to civilian behavioral health providers. 93. Commented on Section 833: Modifications to Defense Civilian Training Corps. 94. Lobbied in support of Section 2703: Prohibition on conducting additional Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) round. 95. Lobbied in support of Section 5124: Technical corrections to honoring our PACT Act of 2022. 96. Commented on TITLE LII-INSPECTOR GENERAL INDEPENDENCE AND EMPOWERMENT MATTERS. AFGE sent the following letters to Congress in connection with FY2023 NDAA: 1. AFGE Legislative Department Letter to Senate Members on Floor Amendments dated October 12, 2022. 2. AFGE Legislative Department Letter to Senate and House Leaders and Appropriators on FY2023 OMNIBUS addressed the TSA Workforce in both the NDAA and appropriation.

FY 2023 Foreign Operations Appropriations (H.R. 8282) --lobbied on the provisions related to the pay, benefits, staffing levels, and job security of Department of State employees. Lobbied to prevent a Reduction in Force (RIF) at the Office of Cuba Broadcasting.

FY 2023 Agriculture Appropriations (H.R. 8239) - Lobbied against the contracting out of federal employee jobs and potential food and public risks. Lobbied against funding cuts of the meat and poultry inspection program. Lobbied against further expanding the program of putting plant employees, not inspectors, in charge of quality control and contamination. Lobbied for an increase FSIS's budget for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies of Food Inspectors and Consumer Safety Inspectors. Lobbied to fully fund the budgets of the Economic Research Service (ERS) and National Institute on Food and Agriculture (NIFA) for full-time employees in order to fill all current vacancies and return ERS and NIFA to a full staffing complement. Lobbied to prohibit funds from being spent to create a modernized beef slaughter inspection system or issue line speed waivers to beef, poultry, or hog slaughter plants. Lobbied for H.R. 1815 and S. 713, the "Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act."

Lobbied for full implementation of the Emergency Stopgap USCIS Stabilization Act, authorized in 2020. Lobbied for more stable funding for USCIS that does not rely on fees for non-fee elements of the agencys mission. Government Funding: Lobbied for provisions in FY 2023 Homeland Security appropriations bill, H.R. 8257, to address the needs of the federal workforce and for timely action throughout the appropriations process to avert the need for continuing resolutions or a government shutdown.