Legislative Report – Bill Belz
It is an honor and privilege to be elected 2nd VP for
Legislation. I am looking forward to working with the Federation Officers, District VP’s, Chapter
Presidents and Legislative Committee members. We must influence our members of Congress and their staffs
on issues affecting both active and retired federal employees. We have all earned our benefits and cannot
lose them without a fight. There is work to be done and I will need all your help and support.The Washington Post
called federal worker annuities “generous.” It’s that sort of false Belief
that is fueling Capitol Hill’s attack on federal workers – both active and retired.
This is what the 112th Congress believes. As a result, our pensions and those that follow us are in jeopardy. Fewer
federal employees, cuts in our pensions and fewer benefits. We have heard the rhetoric before, but this
time, “take it seriously”. If we as an organization do not do something soon, it will pass
without even knowing what has happened. Folks we are a “captured audience”. Scream
out! Contact your Congressional members and their staffs, do something!Contact Congress and President Obama tell them that you will not stand for any new attacks
or taxes on the federal workers and retirees. Join me in taking action today at www.ProtectAmericasHeartbeat.org. About Protect America's HeartbeatProtect
America's Heartbeat is a campaign supported by the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. We are committed
to fighting for the 3.5 million active and 1.2 million retired federal employees in every state in the nation who dedicate
their lives to protecting America's heartbeat. Our federal employees ensure our most basic needs as a society are met –
and have sacrificed to help solve our nation's budgetary problems. Yet partisan politicians are making federal workers scapegoats
and are seeking to cut not just their earned retirement and benefits, but essential services that millions of Americans rely
on each day. The smart path forward through tough economic times will require a strong federal work force. America's federal
employees are part of the solution – not the problem.Reaching
policymakers in Washington is easy and only takes a few minutes. Even if you’ve never called Congress before, now is
the time. Use the toll free numbers and follow the simple instructions below:
Step
1: Dial 1-866-220-0044 for the Capitol. Ask the operator to
connect you to your Senator’s office or Representatives office or supply your ZIP Code.
Step
2: Tell the staff person who answers the telephone next where
you live so they know you are a constituent, then say:
· I
am a retired/active federal employee who [tell the staff person a little about your work].
·
I am calling because I want to voice my opposition to
any attempt to shift the cost of the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program onto employees and retirees.
·
IF RETIREE - A FEHBP contribution increase would squeeze
millions of middle-class federal retirees like me – most of who are on a fixed income – forcing seniors to choose
between healthcare premiums and groceries and gas.
· IF
ACTIVE – A FEHBP contribution increase would be a further burden when we are in the middle of a 2 year Federal pay freeze.
·
I also oppose any mandatory increase in the amount that
federal employees must contribute to their retirement fund, which is nothing more than a 5% tax on 2.2 million middle-class
families. · Just like those before them, current federal workers continue to be paid less than their private sector
counter-parts.
·
We serve (or have served) our country proudly and shouldn’t
be unfairly singled out to bear the burden of fixing a budget problem we didn’t create.
Step
3: Call 1-866-220-0044 again to reach the Capitol to deliver
the same message to your other senator and your representative.
Step
4: The toll free number for the White House is 1-888-225-8418
Call from 9am to 5pm EDT. You can make four effective phone calls (one representative, two senators and the President) in
only about 10 minutes.
Support the legislators who have supported NARFE and its mission.
Thanks, Bill
Mad Yet?
Everyone knows that federal employees have been chosen as
scapegoats for reducing the federal budget. They have been asked for an unprecedented level of cuts – a whopping $375
billion over a 10-year period. Cut the federal work force by 10%, three- to five-year hiring freezes or until the deficit
has been eliminated, freeze federal pay through fiscal year 2015,mandatory two-week unpaid furloughs, rising health benefit
payments, refiguring pensions or eliminating them altogether for new hires which would mean no survivors’ annuity or
health benefits. The government right now is borrowing from the federal pension fund, which is solvent and paid for by federal
employees themselves. We do not object to paying for our fair share of the national debt, but feel we are being targeted unfairly
for a huge share. If these proposals are placed into law, we will lose a population of federal employees who are experienced,
dedicated people to their country and work hard to support the everyday workings of our United States. If you are concerned
about this situation, please notify our senators and representatives today. We elect these people that occupy those seats in Washington, D C and next year we can remove
them if they continue to blame the Federal Agencies and its employees for all the Nations problems.
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