LAUREN AUGUSTINE

FY 2018 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations--lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirement systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V section that would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees. Lobbied in support of the Federal Adjustment of Income Rate (FAIR) Act--to provide both the General Schedule and Wage Grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act--lobbied in support of granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) rights under Title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied in support of HR 1022/S 362, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act--to provide up to six weeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied in support of HR 99, the Honoring the Fallen TSA Officers Act, a bill granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) sold to federal employees and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future.

FY 2018 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations--lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirement systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V section that would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees. Lobbied in support of the Federal Adjustment of Income Rate (FAIR) Act--to provide both the General Schedule and Wage Grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act--lobbied in support of granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) rights under Title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied in support of HR 1022/S 362, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act--to provide up to six weeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied in support of HR 99, the Honoring the Fallen TSA Officers Act, a bill granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) sold to federal employees and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future.

FY 2018 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations--lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirement systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V section that would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees. Lobbied in support of the Federal Adjustment of Income Rate (FAIR) Act--to provide both the General Schedule and Wage Grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act--lobbied in support of granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) rights under Title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied in support of HR 1022/S 362, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act--to provide up to six weeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied in support of HR 99, the Honoring the Fallen TSA Officers Act, a bill granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) sold to federal employees and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future.

FY 2018 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations--lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirement systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V section that would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees. Lobbied in support of the Federal Adjustment of Income Rate (FAIR) Act--to provide both the General Schedule and Wage Grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act--lobbied in support of granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) rights under Title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied in support of HR 1022/S 362, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act--to provide up to six weeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied in support of HR 99, the Honoring the Fallen TSA Officers Act, a bill granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) sold to federal employees and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future.

FY 2018 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations--lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirement systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V section that would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees. Lobbied in support of the Federal Adjustment of Income Rate (FAIR) Act--to provide both the General Schedule and Wage Grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act--lobbied in support of granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) rights under Title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied in support of HR 1022/S 362, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act--to provide up to six weeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied in support of HR 99, the Honoring the Fallen TSA Officers Act, a bill granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) sold to federal employees and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future.

FY 2018 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations--lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, white collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirement systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V section that would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees. Lobbied in support of the Federal Adjustment of Income Rate (FAIR) Act--to provide both the General Schedule and Wage Grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. S 272, the Strengthening American Transportation Security Act--lobbied in support of granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) rights under Title 5 of the U.S. code. Lobbied in support of HR 1022/S 362, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave Act--to provide up to six weeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied in support of HR 99, the Honoring the Fallen TSA Officers Act, a bill granting public safety officer benefits to TSOs killed or injured in the line of duty. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP) sold to federal employees and how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future.

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

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

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

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

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

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

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

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

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

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

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

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

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

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

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

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

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

FY 2017 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations - lobbied on amendment to prohibit bill from being used to implement the pro-contractor revision of OMB Circular A-76, contracting out, blue collar pay, minimum wage, federal retirements systems, union representation, and contractor compensation caps. Lobbied on bill to overturn the Conyers decision on the due process of federal employees holding sensitive positions. Lobbied to gain cosponsor for bill. Lobbied on Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA) reform with Federal-Postal Coalition to oppose Title V, the section on Improving Postal Operations, Service, and Transparency Act of 2015 (S 2051). It would unfairly cut FECA compensation benefits for disabled federal employees by approximately $1 billion over 10 years. Lobbied in support of HR 4585, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act - to provide both the General Schedule and wage grade federal employees a 5.3% pay raise in 2017. Lobbied for HR 2146, the Defending Public Safety Employees' Retirement Act, to allow federal firefighters, Bureau of Prisons (BOP) correctional workers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, and other federal law enforcement officers to withdraw retirement income from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) without a penalty when they retire after 50 years of age with the requisite 20 years of service. Lobbied in support of letter circulated by Senator Schatz supporting granting Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) the same important labor rights enjoyed by most other federal workers. Lobbied on HR 532/S 2033, the Federal Employee Paid Parental Leave--to provide up to 6 seeks of paid leave to federal workers upon the federal workers' birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child. Lobbied against the excessive premium increases for the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program (FLTCIP)that were sold to federal employees and scheduled to go into effect after September 30, 2016. Requested to hold a hearing to find out how OPM intends to represent the interests of those who purchase FLTCIP's plan in the future. Lobbied against HR 2532, the Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2015, that would attempt to cut agency funding for deficit reduction. Lobbied against HR 4361, the Federal Information Systems Safeguards Act of 2016, because of its specific provisions that would undermine collective bargaining; due process rights of federal employees; an extension of the probationary period of career employees to two years from one; and any attempts to eliminate or limit use of official time within the federal government.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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