Back to Work
Lawmakers will return from August recess to a plethora of pay-related legislation.
As Washington nears the end of another long, hot summer, lawmakers return to the Capitol soon to tackle a raft of bills involving federal pay and benefits. We've put together a list of the most important legislation affecting government employees. Pay raise: The Senate Appropriations Committee passed a 1.4 percent civilian pay raise on July 29. The House in May passed its Defense authorization bill with a 1.9 percent fiscal 2011 raise for service members. President Obama in February proposed a 1.4 percent pay increase for civilian and military employees.
Bills: S. 3677, H.R. 5136, S. 3454
Status: The House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee has marked up a version of the Defense appropriations bill, which includes a 1.4 percent pay raise for military personnel.
Related Stories: Bill with 1.4 percent federal pay raise clears Senate committee
Telework: The House and the Senate have passed similar bills to expand telework opportunities governmentwide. The two chambers now must reconcile their versions before a final bill heads to President Obama for approval.
Status: The Senate measure passed in May, while the House approved its version in July.
Related Stories: Telework bill could be near tipping point
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Drug benefits under FEHBP: H.R. 4489 would place tighter restrictions on companies that administer prescription drug benefits, or pharmacy benefit managers. PBMs in which pharmaceutical drug manufacturers or retail pharmacies have a controlling interest would be prohibited from participation in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, according to the legislation.
Bill: H.R. 4489
Status: The bill has been referred to the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Related Story: Pharmacists back measures to cut feds' prescription drug costs
FEHBP coverage of dependent children: House and Senate subcommittees are considering legislation that would allow children of federal employees to remain on their parents' health insurance until age 26 starting this year.
Status: The federal workforce subcommittees in the House and Senate are considering the bill.
Related Stories: Forever Young
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Postal Service retiree health benefits: H.R. 5746 would ease the burden on the U.S. Postal Service to fund its Civil Service Retirement System and reverse years of overpayment to the account. If the bill passes, the Office of Personnel Management would be required to review the overpayment claim and deposit a nearly $50 billion surplus into the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund.
Bill: H.R. 5746
Status: The bill is before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
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Bargaining rights at VA: S. 3486 would permit collective bargaining on pay for health care professionals at the Veterans Affairs Department.
Bills: S. 3486, S. 3325, H.R. 5543
Status: The full Senate will consider S. 3486. In the House, the VA Committee will tackle the legislation.
Related Story: VA health care workers move a step closer to bargaining over pay issues
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