National President Dougan Issues Statement on McKeon Bill to Slash 200,000 Federal Jobs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cory Bythrow, Communications Director
Phone: (202) 216-4458

Washington, D.C. – In response to Rep. Buck McKeon’s proposal to reduce the federal workforce by ten percent to offset sequestration cuts at the Department of Defense, National Federation of Federal Employees National President William R. Dougan issued the following statement:

“Rep. McKeon’s proposal is just the latest in a series of poorly-conceived attempts by Republicans in Congress to score political points on the backs of America’s federal employees. Though the bill is being sold as a means to ensure our national defense, it completely undermines our ability to support essential military functions. Approximately one-third of civilian federal employees work at the Department of Defense. An across the board cut of 200,000 federal workers would lead to tens of thousands of Defense workers losing their jobs. It defies logic to contend that slashing tens of thousands of defense civilian jobs will somehow enhance our national security. These are the men and women who supply the arms and equipment our brave soldiers need to survive in hostile warzones overseas; they repair damaged vehicles and weaponry so our men and women go to battle with best resources our nation can offer; they are the individuals who collect and analyze the essential intelligence that prevents terrorist attacks. Poking holes in our soldiers’ safety net while hundreds of thousands are deployed abroad is not just bad policy, it’s irresponsible politics.”