GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT
CONGRESSIONAL SCHEDULE
The House and Senate are in session the week of January 23. Republicans head to
Philadelphia at the end of the week for their annual retreat. President Donald Trump and
Vice President Mike Pence were sworn in on Friday, Jan. 20.
EXECUTIVE ORDER ON HIRING FREEZE
On Jan. 23, President Trump issued an executive order instituting a hiring freeze for
federal civil ian employees, effective Jan. 22, 2017. We are still reviewing the order and
all of its ramifications. The order permits exceptions to the freeze in v ery limited
circumstances. NATCA will be making the case with the Administration and others that
our members' positions should be exempted from the freeze. Although the executive
order is a concern at first glance, we are pleased that it does not allow con tracting - out to
be used to circumvent the hiring freeze and that the memorandum does not nullify any
collective bargaining agreements. It is also important to understand that a pay freeze
was not included in this executive order. We will continue to provid e updates as this
develops. UPDATE : An update on this issue was sent to all members on Jan. 26. Please
click here to read it.
U.S. DOT NOMINEE ELAINE CHAO RE ADY FOR CONFIRMATION
The Senate Commerce Committee was expected to sign off on Elaine Chao, President
Trump's nominee to be Transportation Sec retary, by voice vote on Jan. 24. With the
committee's approval, which is very likely, the full Senate will consid er Chao for
confirmation.
FY 2017 BUDGET UPDATE
H ouse and Senate Republicans began their annual three - day retreat this week where
the FY 2017 budget and fiscal priorities were one of the critical topics of discussion
between key lawmakers and President Trump, who attended the retreat. The private
conference could also give lawmakers and President Trump a chance to reach a
consensus on how to replace former President Barack Obam a's health care law and
how to pay for it. GA staff will keep a close watch on the outcome of the retreat as well
as the FY 17 budget process.
ANTI - FEDERAL EMPLOYEE BILLS
In addition to executive actions from the new President, the new Congress is alread y
working on anti - federal employee bills. With Republicans officially in control of the House,
Senate, and White House, the number of proposals that would negatively impact federal
employees will rise. We expect this to be an anti - federal employee year whe n it comes
to legislation. GA staff has been and will continue preparing to fight these proposals.
WELCOMING THE 115TH CONGRESS
The 115th Congress was sworn in on Jan. 3. The new Congress brings upwards of 70
new freshman members in the House and Senate. In the next couple of weeks, GA staff
will be visiting all freshman offices to deliver NATCA materials that provide a brief
overview on our legislative issues of importance.
