NARFE Legislative Hotline – May 24, 2013
Message from NARFE President Joseph A. Beaudoin
“Federal employees, in the third year of a pay freeze, are being furloughed or are facing furloughs in the near future. Both income and health security for federal retirees are facing threats on Capitol Hill. The income security danger of the Chained CPI and the health security threat of removing current federal employees from the FEHBP should galvanize each NARFE member to action in defense of their earned benefits. Since the beginning of this Congress, which has more than 100 new members, 12 percent of NARFE members who receive this weekly Hotline have used the NARFE Legislative Action Center to lobby both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue to oppose a change to the COLA formula. And only 6 percent have sent our more recent message, titled “Defend FEHBP.” With lawmakers returning to states and districts for Memorial Day and all of next week, I implore each of you to join the fight. Email, call, write and visit your congressional delegation. Use the information below to join the fight and to tell us about your advocacy efforts.”
#1 Unless You Speak, Congress Assumes Consent
Every member of Congress has received at least one message delivered through NARFE’s Legislative Action Center. However, this is not enough to make an impact. Unless more NARFE members use our advocacy tools, including, but not limited to, our Legislative Action Center, the COLA formula may be changed and FEHBP dismantled. President Beaudoin urges each NARFE member who has not already sent both messages -- “Oppose a Change in the COLA Formula” and “Defend FEHBP” -- in defense of their earned benefits, to use the Legislative Action Center now to send these messages to both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue. Click hereto see a menu of options or usehttp://capwiz.com/narfe/issues/.
#2 Report Meetings with Lawmakers
Please take a moment to share information about meetings with your U.S. representative and senators with the NARFE Legislative Department by clicking here. Your grass-roots advocacy is a key reason for NARFE's effectiveness on Capitol Hill. This information is NOT shared outside NARFE. You can access the website directly by using http://www.capwiz.com/narfe/lrm/feedback.tt. The next scheduled Hotline is set for June 7.