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The Month in Media
Every day, NTEU takes the message of the importance of federal workers
to the media—and we get results. Over the past three years, NTEU and
our members have been featured in thousands of stories in newspapers,
magazines, television and radio.
Here are excerpts of news stories that were published this past month.
Generally, the opening paragraph of each story is included as well as those
paragraphs that feature NTEU's position on the issue. In many cases,
links to the complete story are available by visiting NTEU
in the News.
 April Headlines
President Colleen M. Kelley discusses how sequestration is impacting revenue collection, border security, food safety and other critical public services. Listen to the interview.
As sequestration takes effect, the public notices its damaging impact on public services they rely on, including IRS taxpayer services and CBP passenger processing. Read the clips.
As agencies issue furlough notices, NTEU warns the public about the consequences of agency-wide shutdowns on the American public. Read the clips.
Got tax filing tips? NTEU IRS members do and they offered their advice on avoiding the tax-filing blues ahead of the April 15 deadline. Read the clips.
NTEU blasts a proposal for another $35 billion in savings from federal retirement plans contained in the administration's 2014 budget proposal. Read the clips.
NTEU-opposed legislation that would fire federal employees with tax delinquencies passes the House. Read the clips.
Chapter presidents express frustration with the sequester and its impact on government services and federal employees in letters to the editor. Read the clips.
| Interviews with President Kelley |
Radio Interview with President Kelley (America’s Workforce Radio)
The interview begins at about the 43:30 minute mark: http://awfradio.com/todays-show-4-3-13/
April 3, 2013
Cruise officials say sequestration to blame for long passenger wait times (AL.com)
Carnival Cruise Lines is blaming its latest problems on sequestration, saying cuts to U.S. Customs and Border Protection delayed passengers trying to leave the ship.
President Colleen M. Kelley of the National Treasury Employees Union, the trade union that represents customs and border agents, said the problem will get much worse if sequestration continues.
"If the sequester, which is intended to be permanent, continues into fiscal 2014, the current levels of CBP staffing, as set by Congress in statute, will be unsustainable," Kelley said, with the main impact being felt in states such as Florida, California and Texas.
April 1, 2013
IRS Facing $100 Million More in Cuts and Possible System-wide Furloughs, Union Chief Says (Tax Analysts)
The IRS may need to trim spending by as much as $100 million more than anticipated because of an Office of Management and Budget interpretation of the recently enacted continuing resolution (H.R. 933 ) to fund the federal government, National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley told chapter presidents in an e-mail dated April 3.
"I do not have to tell you how much more damage that would do to employees," Kelley said.
April 4, 2013
IRS Furloughs Will Be 'Very Noticeable' (Tax Analysts)
Besides the budget cuts already in place and the sequester, there appears to be little enthusiasm in Congress for President Obama's almost $12.9 billion fiscal 2014 budget request for the agency. And the IRS will soon begin five to seven days of unpaid furloughs through the end of the fiscal year for all employees to adjust to the sequester reductions.
Furloughs after filing season "will be very noticeable to the public," Kelley said. Identity theft victims seeking refunds, small business owners asking for help with a tax question, and those filing amended returns will be among the many left in need if IRS offices close around holidays or for various weekdays for months, she said. "No matter how it works, there will be a noticeable impact," she said.
April 18, 2013
A Playbook for Undoing the Sequester (National Journal)
Who would have guessed that the air-traffic controllers and meat inspectors would be the first ones lucky enough to avoid the across-the-board spending cuts known as sequestration?
The Internal Revenue Service recently announced its plans to furlough its employees. The group representing them, the National Treasury Employees Union, wants those furloughs scaled back. “Congress just voted to make it more likely that their flights home for another vacation today will not be delayed, but they should be staying here to find a way to stop the sequester and prevent the loss of services the American people rely on,” said NTEU President Colleen Kelley in a statement.
April 26, 2013
Sequester opponents now losing hope (The Hill)
Opponents of sequestration are losing hope that the across-the-board cuts to federal spending will be reversed this year.
The leader of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which has fought the sequester cuts on behalf of federal workers, expressed frustration at how the debate is playing out.
“People are tired of the whole thing, if it’s not your agency that’s getting the piecemeal fix. Employees are angrier than ever,” said NTEU President Colleen Kelley. “Agencies surely shouldn’t be pitted against each other.”
April 27, 2013
IRS furloughs costing U.S. a bundle (Federal News Radio)
The White House-designed, congressionally endorsed sequestration process was supposed to force Uncle Sam to get his financial house in order. Now, with both political bodies denying paternity, sequestration seems to be coming unglued as furloughs produce major bumps in the road.
Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, used to be a revenue agent. She says agents aren't the only one who rake in the bucks for the treasury.
"Every dollar invested in an IRS employee is money well-spent because IRS employees bring in many times more in revenue than what is spent on their compensation," she said.
April 30, 2013
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First phase of EPA furloughs begins April 21 (Washington Post/Federal Eye)
The Environmental Protection Agency began notifying about 17,000 employees on Wednesday that the organization would implement its first phase of sequester furloughs starting April 21.
“These employees are middle-class workers who are in the third year of a pay freeze,” said NTEU president Colleen M. Kelley. “These furloughs will hurt their ability to pay their bills and serve the public. This is incredibly unfair to them and to the public.”
April 4, 2013
IRS may close around holidays to fulfill sequester furloughs (Washington Post/Federal Eye)
The IRS may close down entirely for two to four more days in addition to the holiday-time furloughs the agency is considering, according to the NTEU, which is working with the IRS to negotiate the terms of unpaid leave.
“While there are advantages to that [furlough plan] for employees, there are also disadvantages,” said NTEU president Colleen M. Kelley. “Moreover, IRS may assert that when employees serve their furlough days is nonnegotiable, which would deny our bargaining team the chance to decide which approach is better.”
April 4, 2013
On the News with Thom Hartmann (Truth-Out.org)
Each worker could be forced to take as many as 13 furlough days, as the EPA struggles to implement the across-the-board budget cuts. According to the president of the National Treasury Employee Union, which represents about 2,500 EPA workers, “these employees are middle-class workers who are in the third year of a pay freeze. These furloughs will hurt their ability to pay their bills and serve the public. This is incredibly unfair to them and to the public.”
April 4, 2013
Gone Fishing: IRS Closing Offices for Holidays (Accounting Web)
The IRS may shut down its offices completely for a few days surrounding several upcoming holidays in order to accommodate the federal government's budgetary needs.
"While there are advantages to that [furlough plan] for employees, there are also disadvantages," NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley was quoted as saying. "Moreover, IRS may assert that when employees serve their furlough days is nonnegotiable, which would deny our bargaining team the chance to decide which approach is better."
April 5, 2013
IRS to furlough all 90,000 employees (Federal News Radio)
The Internal Revenue Service will send furlough notices to its entire workforce beginning Monday — including its acting commissioner.
Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said her union continues to talk with the IRS about the furlough process and its impact on employees.
"Implementation of any furlough days is a disappointing development," Kelley said in a press release. "Furloughing IRS employees is further evidence of the ongoing damage sequestration is causing across the country."
April 19, 2013
IRS sets five specific furlough dates (Washington Post/Federal Eye)
In a statement on Friday, the NTEU expressed disappointment with the sequester furloughs and said IRS closures would have an impact on the public. “On these days, phones calls to the IRS will go unanswered and Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country will have ‘closed’ signs in their windows,” said union president Colleen M. Kelley. “I believe this is an unprecedented event that leaves taxpayers out in the cold.”
April 19, 2013
IRS employees will get furlough notices on Monday (The Hill)
The notices detail the five furlough days where the agency will shut down entirely and will leave open the possibility of another two unpaid furlough days, as part of a draw back in spending brought on by sequestration, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) said on Friday.
"Implementation of any furlough days is a disappointing development," said NTEU President Colleen Kelley.
April 19, 2013
IRS Will Close To Public for Five Days Due to Furloughs (Bloomberg)
Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents IRS workers, called the furloughs a “disappointing development” and warned about the effect on taxpayers who file on deadlines besides April 15.
“I believe this is an unprecedented event that leaves taxpayers out in the cold,” she said in a statement.
April 19, 2013
IRS to Send Furlough Notices to All Employees on Monday (GovExec)
Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said on Friday that “implementation of any furlough days is a disappointing development. Furloughing IRS employees is further evidence of the ongoing damage sequestration is causing across the country.”
April 19, 2013
IRS to send furlough notices (Federal Daily News)
The Internal Revenue Service will shut down operations for five days in coming months as a result of sequestration; employees will receive official notification April 22, according to a union that represents employees at the agency.
“On these days, phones calls to the IRS will go unanswered and Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country will have ‘closed’ signs in their windows,” NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley, said, adding, “I believe this is an unprecedented event that leaves taxpayers out in the cold.”
April 19, 2013
IRS To Mail Out Furlough Notices Next Week, Announcing Agency-Wide Shutdowns (Forbes)
One week after Tax Day came and went, the Internal Revenue Service will send out furlough notices to its entire workforce. According to a press release from the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), those notices will identify five days when the IRS will be shut down entirely – with another two possibly in the works.
The shutdown is a result of cuts to the agency’s budget as a result of sequestration. NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley said, about the cuts, “[f]urloughing IRS employees is further evidence of the ongoing damage sequestration is causing across the country.”
April 19, 2013
Sequester: IRS to shut down for five days (Washington Times)
“Like all federal employees, those at the IRS are well into the third year of a pay freeze,” said NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley, “and now they face the unwelcome prospect of a pay cut resulting from unpaid furlough days.”
April 19, 2013
Furloughs underway, but uncertainty remains for many workers (The Washington Post)
After months of nervous anticipation, federal workers begin the first major round of furloughs this week, even as much uncertainty remains at some agencies about how much time, if any, employees will lose from their jobs because of mandated spending cuts.
“Employees are frustrated and angry,” said Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, which estimates that 115,000 of the workers it represents face a loss of pay ranging from one week to nearly three weeks over the next five months.
April 21, 2013
IRS employee furloughs set to take effect next month (Digital Journal)
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced on Friday its plans to shut down for one day per month starting on May 24. Subsequent days set are June 14, July 5, July 22 and August 30, with potential other days added in August or September.
“On these days, phones calls to the IRS will go unanswered and Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country will have ‘closed’ signs in their windows,” said National Treasury Employees Union president Colleen M. Kelley. “I believe this is an unprecedented event that leaves taxpayers out in the cold.” The NTEU represents IRS workers.
April 21, 2013
IRS Sets Sequestration Furlough Dates (Tax Analysts)
The IRS will shut down and put nearly its entire staff on unpaid leave on at least five -- and possibly as many as seven -- workdays between now and September 30, acting Commissioner Steven Miller said in an agency-wide e-mail April 19.
In the NTEU release, union President Colleen Kelley called the furloughs "an unprecedented event that leaves taxpayers out in the cold." The NTEU is continuing to negotiate with the IRS on ways to mitigate the furloughs' harm for employees, the release says.
April 22, 2013
IRS employees to get 5 to 7 furlough days (Federal Times)
IRS employees face between five and seven furlough days between May and September because of sequester-related budget cuts, according to an email from acting Commissioner Steve Miller.
Nevertheless, there continues to be “considerable tax-filing” going on year-round by small businesses, estates and others, NTEU President Colleen Kelley said in a news release.
“Like all federal employees, those at the IRS are well into the third year of a pay freeze,” Kelley said. “And now they face the unwelcome prospect of a pay cut resulting from unpaid furlough days.”
April 22, 2013
Federal employee furloughs begin (Washington Post/Federal Diary)
Federal employee furlough policies are like snowflakes. No two are just alike.
Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union which represents IRS workers, said the agency was not interested in negotiating over the furloughs, as other agencies did. “They took the position they have the right to close the agency,” she said, which is what will happen on furlough days save for a few critical operations.
April 23, 2013
Sequester Hits IRS, More than 89,000 Employees Furloughed (ABC News)
A little more than a month into the sequester and fresh out of tax season, the Internal Revenue Service has decided to issue furlough notices to all of its employees next week.
In a press release addressing the IRS furloughs and NTEU plans of action, NTEU President Colleen Kelley noted that although tax season is largely over and the cutbacks seem minimal, still "considerable tax-filing goes on throughout the year," which includes small business filing, estates and government entities.
"On these days, phones calls to the IRS will go unanswered and Taxpayer Assistance Centers across the country will have 'closed' signs in their windows," Kelley said. "I believe this is an unprecedented event that leaves taxpayers out in the cold."
April 23, 2013
IRS to close for five furlough days (CyberFEDS)
Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said the union is continuing its discussions with the IRS over the furlough process with the goal of mitigating the impact on employees, but said the best solution would be "for Congress to end the sequester."
April 24, 2013
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IRS employees offer ten tips to avoid the tax-filing blues (Examiner.com)
The 2012 tax filing due date – April 15 – is almost here. With that in mind, IRS employees who are members of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) offered 10 tips in an effort to assist taxpayers to avoid some common errors.
“IRS employees are knowledgeable about a tax code that has become increasingly complex and are eager to assist taxpayers in complying with their tax obligations,” said NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley.
April 4, 2013
Kiplinger Twitter Feed (Twitter.com/Kiplinger)
@Kiplinger: “Got the tax-filing blues? Here are some tips from IRS workers to help you save time and money: http://ow.ly/jN2Ib per @NTEUNews”
April 5, 2013
IRS Staffers Warn of Taxpayer Assistance Delays from Budget Cuts (Accounting Today)
A recent survey by the National Treasury Employees Union found IRS members warning that tax refunds for identity theft victims could be delayed by six months to a year because of budget cuts. “The tax-avoidance citizens are going to get away with cheating the government due to lack of resources,” a respondent to the NTEU survey said.
“When you look closely, as our members do every day you see clearly how inadequate funding of the IRS seriously impacts the public, as well as small and large businesses, and our nation as a whole,” said NTEU president Colleen M. Kelley in a statement.
April 8, 2013
IRS Saves $1 Billion by Cutting Staff, Travel, Office Space and Contracts (GovExec)
This story has been updated with results of a union survey finding that reduced staffing may delay IRS services.
Separately on Monday, the National Treasury Employees Union released results of a new membership survey showing IRS staff shortages may delay refunds for taxpayer identity theft victims by six months to a year. Taxpayer assistance centers, NTEU said, are now staffed at half the level of eight years ago, with nearly a fourth of the 389 centers staffed by only one or two employees. “This filing season, long lines beginning in the pre-dawn hours well before the offices open and lengthy waits for help are common at TACs everywhere,” NTEU said.
April 8, 2013
IRS staffing shortages translate into service gaps, survey says (Federal Daily News)
The National Treasury Employees Union said that a recent survey of members who work at the Internal Revenue Service shows that budget cuts are having a serious impact not only on the already understaffed agency, but also on the citizens it serves.
NTEU also said that reduced enforcement due to inadequate staffing means that billions of dollars of additional tax burden is shifted to from those who cheat on taxes to those who play by the rules and meet their obligations. NTEU cited government data that show that even in 2006, "the average U.S. household effectively paid an extra $3,300 to subsidize noncompliance by others."
April 9, 2013
Budget cuts cause long wait times on IRS help line (CNN Money)
With a hiring freeze preventing the IRS from replacing workers who retire or leave for other jobs, existing staffers say they're feeling the pressure of lack of manpower, according to the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents federal employees at the tax collection agency.
"A lot of people are still depending on face-to-face assistance, and if they can't get that assistance, it causes errors in the returns and delays in the refunds," union president Colleen Kelley said.
April 9, 2013
NTEU Says Cutting IRS Budget Hurts Taxpayers (Accounting Web)
The union representing the IRS workforce said IRS budget cutting is hurting taxpayers, in particular, senior citizens, small business owners, and the victims of identity theft.
"When you look closely, as our members do every day, you see clearly how inadequate funding of the IRS seriously impacts the public, as well as small and large businesses, and our nation as a whole," said National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) President Colleen M. Kelley, in an April 8 press release.
April 10, 2013
Why you won’t be audited this year (Wall Street Journal)
They’re the 1% no one aspires to join: the small percentage of taxpayers who get audited by the IRS. But those worried about suffering the tax equivalent of a root canal may be in luck this year, experts say. Thanks to budget cuts, the chances of getting audited will be slimmer than normal.
IRS employees are also warning that the cutbacks could hurt enforcement actions, according to a survey of government workers by the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents federal workers at the agency.
April 10, 2013
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| Administration Fiscal 2014 Budget Proposal |
Retirement benefits may again be on the chopping block (CyberFEDS)
It's likely that President Obama will propose another $35 billion in savings in federal retirement benefits as part of his 2014 budget proposal, scheduled for release on April 10. The plan will reportedly require employees to contribute more to their retirement pensions.
Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said that "with a contribution of $114 billion, federal workers already have done more than any other group to address deficit reduction and economic recovery."
April 5, 2013
Labor, retiree groups blast White House budget proposal (Federal Daily News)
Federal employee organizations registered strong opposition to measures contained in the White House fiscal 2014 budget proposal which—according to media reports—call for generating $35 billion in savings from federal retirement programs, and altering the formula for calculating Social Security benefits.
National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley said the union was "strongly opposed" to pulling savings from federal retirement programs, and maintained that federal employees already have given enough.
April 5, 2013
Obama to propose $35 billion in federal retirement program savings (Washington Post/Federal Diary)
President Obama is expected to propose $35 billion in federal retirement program savings in the fiscal year 2014 budget plan he will release next week.
National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen M. Kelley also weighed in: “Federal employees chose to serve our country through public service but they did not sign up to single-handedly offset a budget deficit they did not cause. While some administration officials are donating back some of their salary in solidarity with federal employees, it seems to me that a better approach would be to recognize the value of federal employees, understand that that they have given enough from their own pockets and not ask them to give any more.”
April 5, 2013
Obama's budget: 5 takeaways (Politico)
Another easy target: federal employees, who have been living under a pay freeze and would be required under the new budget to pay more into their retirement system without increasing benefits.
“It’s outrageous to see the federal workforce targeted once again despite the massive contribution employees already are making to deficit reduction,” Colleen M. Kelly, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said Wednesday.
April 10, 2013
Unions strongly oppose provisions in administration's FY 2014 budget (CyberFEDS)
Federal unions are outraged by the proposed changes to the federal retirement system and calls for increased contributions in the president's FY 2014 budget proposal.
Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said the budget identified an emerging challenge facing federal agencies -- nearly 22 percent of the more than 687,000 respondents to the 2012 Office of Personnel Management Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey expressed an intent to retire during the next five years.
"In the face of those numbers, the fact is that continued attacks on the federal workforce pose a very great risk for our country," Kelley said.
April 10, 2013
Obama budget raises federal worker pay and pension contributions (Washington Post/Federal Diary)
President Obama issued a strong defense of federal employees in the budget he released Wednesday, along with something they have not seen lately — a pay raise. The 1 percent raise for 2014 isn’t much, but it’s better than the three-year freeze on their basic pay rates that continues through the end of the year.
National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen M. Kelley: “Federal workers . . . are facing an actual pay cut this year from unpaid furlough days generated by sequestration, on top of the existing pay freeze.”
April 10, 2013
Federal Unions Blast Obama Budget (GovExec)
When President Obama’s economic team said the fiscal 2014 budget would seek to “hit the fiscal sweet spot,” they probably weren’t referring to the sour reactions the plan has drawn from an array of federal employee unions.
Soon after the document was released on Wednesday, President Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, said, “It is outrageous to see the federal workforce targeted once again despite the massive contribution employees already are making to deficit reduction.”
Her group opposes Obama’s plan of a 1.2 percent hike over three years in employee contributions to the Federal Employees Retirement System, and was less than thrilled with the president’s plan for a 1 percent federal pay hike. “This is simply inadequate, particularly in light of what will become the end of 2013 a three-year pay freeze,” Kelley added.
April 12, 2013
Obama's budget: Why your toddler needs a job (CBS News)
As I watch reactions come in to President Obama's budget proposal, I'm reminded that I need to tell my three-year-old niece to get a job.
The National Treasury Employees Union, meanwhile, cannot believe that the president would want federal employees to pay a bit more into their defined benefit retirement plan, forcing them to up their contributions by 0.4 percent per year for the next three years.
"It is outrageous to see the federal workforce targeted once again despite the massive contribution employees already are making to deficit reduction," said president Colleen Kelley of the National Treasury Employees Union in a statement.
April 11, 2013
Obama budget calls for 1% raise, but higher pension contributions (Federal Times)
“A permanent pay freeze … is neither sustainable nor desirable,” the budget said.
But the small raise provided little comfort for federal union leaders. NTEU President Colleen Kelley said a 1 percent raise “is simply inadequate, particularly in light of what will become at the end of 2013 a three-year pay freeze.”
“It is time to get the federal pay raise back on track,” Kelley said. “Federal workers have sacrificed enough. They are facing an actual pay cut this year from unpaid furlough days generated by sequestration, on top of the existing freeze.”
April 15, 2013
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House bill would fire tax-delinquent federal workers (Washington Post/Federal Eye)
The House this week is scheduled to vote on two bills that would block federal employees, job candidates and contractors from working for the government if they owe back taxes.
One measure, sponsored by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), would require federal agencies to fire employees and reject potential hires with “seriously delinquent” tax debt.
“This is a perfect example of how out of touch this Congress is,” said Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, which represents approximately 150,000 federal workers.
April 15, 2013
House Expected to Vote on Bill to Fire Tax Delinquent Federal Workers (FedSmith)
The National Treasury Employees Union recently voiced opposition to the legislation, calling it “unfair and unnecessary.”
NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley considers the legislation a double standard, pointing out that federal employees are facing unpaid furlough days due to sequestration and that members of Congress are exempt from the legislation as well as furloughs.
April 15, 2013
Delinquent feds in GOP crosshairs on Tax Day (Federal Computer Week)
"Congress could take up legislation on tax-filing day that would address unfairness in the tax code or the underfunding that is preventing the IRS from eliminating the tax return identity theft that is plaguing our seniors," said Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, in a statement. "But instead, they will take up a bill to fire middle-class federal workers whose pay they have just caused to be cut, who fall behind in their taxes and, of course, exempt themselves.
April 15, 2013
Congress seeks to exempt itself from the ‘Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act’ (Canada Free Press)
Today, the “Tax Accountability Act of 2013” (H.R. 249) is expected to come to the floor of the house for a vote. If it passes, the new law would mandate the firing of any federal employee who is carrying a “seriously delinquent” tax debt. It would also prevent the hiring of individuals in the same situation.
Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, is having an absolute fit over the proposed law, calling it the perfect example of an “out of touch” Congress.
Here’s the thing. Kelley’s right. This law does, in fact, show how out of touch Congress is.
April 15, 2013
House passes Chaffetz bill targeting contractors who don’t pay taxes (Salt Lake Tribune)
Chaffetz could not clear that hurdle on a second bill he offered Monday, which would fire federal employees who are seriously delinquent on their taxes.
The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) called the federal worker bill hypocritical, noting that members of Congress are exempt from the measure.
“It’s a double standard that Congress imposes furloughs and firings on the federal workforce yet exempts itself,” said Colleen M. Kelley, president of the NTEU.
April 15, 2013
House Rejects Bill That Would Allow Uncle Sam to Fire Federal Tax Cheats (GovExec)
The House voted down legislation on Monday evening -- Tax Day -- that would allow the government to fire federal employees who fail to pay their taxes.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, revived a bill earlier this year that he shepherded through the House during the 112th Congress.
National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley said H.R. 249 was unnecessary, since agencies already can take disciplinary action against employees, including removal and wage garnishment, for failing to pay taxes. She said the bill showed how “out of touch” the current Congress is.
April 15, 2013
House passes bill to bar tax-delinquent contractors (Federal Daily News)
The House on April 15 unanimously passed a bill that bars companies with seriously delinquent federal tax debts from obtaining new federal contracts.
A few minutes after approving that bill, the House turned down another bill sponsored by Chaffetz that would have allowed the government to fire tax-delinquent federal and postal employees who have not entered an agreement with the government to repay owed taxes.
One labor leader who opposed the second bill, National Treasury Employees Union President Colleen Kelley, cheered the House for turning it down, calling the April 15 tax-deadline vote "nothing more than a political stunt."
April 16, 2013
House votes to crack down on tax-delinquent contractors but not individuals (Washington Post/Federal Eye)
The House on Monday unanimously backed legislation to bar federal funding for contractors that fall behind on taxes but rejected a proposal to prohibit tax-delinquent individuals from working for the federal government.
The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents about 150,000 civil servants, argued that agencies already have remedies, including counseling and possible removal, for federal workers who fall behind.
April 16, 2013
House approves FISMA modernization bill, two other cyber bills (Federal News Radio)
But H.R. 249, the Federal Employee Tax Accountability Act of 2013, which would have required agencies to fire federal employees who were "seriously delinquent" in paying their taxes, did not get the necessary two-thirds majority needed to pass under the rules of the House for this particular vote, though it passed by total number of votes 250-159.
The National Treasury Employees Union praised the House for not passing the employee tax accountability bill.
Colleen Kelley, NTEU's president, said in a statement that while NTEU strongly supports the idea that everyone should meet his or her tax obligation, the existing processes provide for disciplinary actions by federal agencies ranging from counseling to removal for failing to satisfy federal, state or local tax obligations.
April 17, 2103
Chaffetz frustrated with House vote 'protecting tax cheats' (Washington Post/Federal Eye)
The House on Monday unanimously backed legislation to bar federal funding for contractors who fall behind on taxes, but ultimately rejected a proposal to prohibit tax-delinquent individuals from working for the federal government.
The National Treasury Employees Union, which represents about 150,000 civil servants, argued that agencies already have remedies, including counseling and possible removal, for federal workers who fall behind.
April 17, 2013
House Rejects Bill to Fire Federal Workers with Tax Debts (Accounting Web)
Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), which opposed the legislation, could not be reached for comment by AccountingWEB on April 18. However, in a statement made on April 16, Kelley says she was pleased the House voted down the bill.
"This was nothing more than a political stunt by House leadership to bring this measure to the floor on tax day," she adds.
April 19, 2013
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| NTEU Letters to the Editor |
Letter: Federal employees are hurting under sequestration (Baltimore Sun)
In sum, the effects of sequestration are very much being felt by federal employees. Promotions have not been available which lowers morale. At the same time there is more work to be done by fewer employees. The bottom line is that we can all agree that waste should be eliminated from the federal budget, but the proper way to do that is not across-the-board percentage cuts for all federal agencies.
George Schlaffer, President, Chapter 62
April 4, 2013
Letter: IRS, other U.S. agencies harmed by sequester (Asbury Park Press)
As president of NTEU Chapter 60, I am calling on Congress to stop the sequester and provide the IRS and other federal agencies with the resources they need to stay open and serve the public. The role of federal agencies and federal employees, whether it is protecting our air and water; securing our borders; processing tax returns and refunds; or helping seniors, veterans and low-income children is far too important to be curtailed by sequestration.
John Kelshaw, President, Chapter 60
April 25, 2013
Letter: End the sequester; keep the IRS open (Denver Post)
In Colorado, 982 IRS employees represented by the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) will suffer pay cuts from these unpaid furlough days. This will hurt not only employees and their families, but businesses in town. Congress must stop the sequester and provide the IRS and other federal agencies with the resources they need to stay open and serve the public.
Roy Myles, President, Chapter 32
April 26, 2013
Letter: Sequester cuts hurt (Fresno Bee)
The closings will seriously impact our community. Locally, 7,000 IRS employees represented by Chapter 97 of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) will suffer pay cuts from these unpaid furloughs.
Jason Sisk, President, Chapter 97
April 28, 2013
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