1. Advocacy Update Virginia Federation Conference April 9, 2019
Jessica Klement
Staff Vice President for Advocacy
8/18/2019
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

2. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
Agenda
115th Congress Recap
116th Congress Legislative Priorities
Grassroots Advocacy
NARFE-PAC
Questions
8/18/2019
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

3. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
115th Congress Recap
Threats to Earned Benefits Took Many Forms
House FY18 Budget
Senate FY18 Budget
Bipartisan Budget Agreement
NARFE message of “Enough is enough!” resonated
8/18/2019
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

4. Legislative Accomplishments
After almost 9 years of constantly defending your earned benefits, federal retirees haven’t lost anything!
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

5. Legislative Accomplishments
Postal Reform Act
NARFE opposed
Mandatory Medicare enrollment for current and future postal retirees
Precedent setting
Breaks a promise
Changes benefits in retirement
Removes choice previously enjoyed
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

6. Legislative Accomplishments
Postal Reform - What Happened?
Bills stalled – not enough support
NARFE’s concerns gained traction
Back to drawing board?
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

7. Legislative Accomplishments
2019 Federal Employee Pay Raise
President proposed pay freeze for 2019
Absent congressional action, President sets pay
House-Senate differences
President implemented pay freeze
February 2019: 1.9 % pay raise signed into law
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

8. 116th Congress Priorities
Budget Threats
Trump’s FY20 budget contains benefits cuts
All benefit changes require legislation
Goal: Strengthen congressional opposition to these proposals
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

9. 116th Congress Priorities
Trump FY20 Budget
Eliminate or Reduce COLAs
Increase FERS Retirement Contributions by 6%
Eliminate the FERS Annuity Supplement
High-3 to High-5 for future retirees
Reduce Rate of Return on G Fund
Reduce Total Paid Time Off
Federal Pay Freeze
8/18/2019
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

10. 116th Congress Priorities
Eliminating COLA for FERS. Typical Retiree Loses:
8/18/2019
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

11. 116th Congress Priorities
Reducing COLA for CSRS. Typical Retiree Loses:
8/18/2019
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

12. 116th Congress Priorities
Postal Reform
NARFE opposes mandatory Medicare enrollment for current retirees
No bills introduced yet this Congress
Goal: Modify leading postal reform bills to protect current retirees
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

13. 116th Congress Priorities
Federal Pay Raise for 2020
Trump’s FY20 budget includes a 2020 pay freeze
Congressional action required
Goal: Enactment of 3.1 percent (or more) average pay raise
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

14. 116th Congress Priorities
WEP/GPO Reform
Repeal bills introduced
NARFE working with leaders on WEP reform
Goal: Support efforts to provide relief for current retirees
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

15. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
Grassroots Advocacy
Why Grassroots Advocacy Is Important
Constituent Concerns Influence Legislators
Power in Numbers
Positions NARFE as the go-to resource on Feds
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

16. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
Grassroots Advocacy *5
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

17. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
Grassroots Advocacy
Congressional District & Senatorial Leaders
13 CDLs/SLs in Virginia
Responsibilities
Coordinate activities
Maintain relationships with Members and staff
Report congressional interactions
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

18. Helps Strong Supporters
NARFE-PAC
Helps Strong Supporters
Builds Relationships
Political Relevancy
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

19. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
NARFE-PAC
Goals and Results
Raise $1.5 million
$1.896 million
Disburse $1 million for political purposes
$1.1 million
Attend 100 local fundraisers
105
Increase sustainer program by 50%
32%
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

20. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
NARFE-PAC
Goals
Raise $1.75 million
Disburse $1.25 million for political purposes
Attend 110 local fundraisers
Increase sustainer program by 20%
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

21. National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association
NARFE-PAC
$25 – $49 Basic
$50 – $99 Bronze
$100 – $249 Silver
$250+ Gold
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association

22. Questions? Contact advocacy@narfe.org 1(800) 456-8410 (option 3)
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association