[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 378 Introduced in House (IH)]
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118th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. RES. 378
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting the
Federal workforce.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
May 9, 2023
Ms. Norton submitted the following resolution; which was referred to
the Committee on Oversight and Accountability
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives supporting the
Federal workforce.
Whereas thousands of civilian Federal employees have given their lives in the
line of duty for their country, and their families now receive United
States flags in their honor pursuant to bipartisan legislation;
Whereas Federal employees have supported, defended, and been indispensable to
the progress the United States has achieved through times of war and
peace, recession and prosperity, and global instability and uncertainty;
Whereas hundreds of thousands of Federal employees and Federal contractors
endured a 35-day shutdown, the longest in United States history, in 2018
and 2019;
Whereas approximately 80 percent of Federal workers have attended college,
compared with approximately 60 percent of private-sector workers;
Whereas approximately 21 percent of Federal workers hold master's, professional,
or doctorate degrees, compared with approximately 9 percent of private-
sector workers;
Whereas Federal employees undertake medical research that has resulted in vital
discoveries and improved health, saving lives and enabling people in the
United States to live longer and healthier lives;
Whereas Federal employees have achieved significant new scientific advances,
from space exploration on Mars to biological discoveries in oceanic
waters;
Whereas Federal employees provide homeland security and protection for more than
8,000 miles of United States international land and water borders, while
detecting and preventing illegal activities and contraband at the
borders;
Whereas Federal employees prevent the entry of terrorists and terrorist weapons
into the United States and conduct investigations to prevent national
security breaches and cyber crimes;
Whereas Federal employees engage in research, development, and deployment of
high-level technology and other resources to protect the United States;
Whereas Federal employees ensure the safe operation of commercial and private
aircraft, and provide security for, and protection of, air travelers,
airports, and aircraft;
Whereas Federal employees prosecute crimes of violence, financial crimes, public
corruption, ethics violations, and fraud against taxpayer-supported
Government services;
Whereas Federal employees enforce Federal laws in the public interest and
prosecute cases in Federal courts to protect civil rights and liberties;
Whereas Federal employees provide law enforcement and police protection of
national borders, domestic land and territories, and Federal buildings,
monuments, and parks;
Whereas Federal employees perform scientific, technical, and legal work to
protect copyrights, trademarks, and patents in furtherance of the United
States progress in technology, biosciences, and international
competition;
Whereas Federal employees perform research and other scientific work related to
environmental and life sciences management, conservation, and resource
utilization;
Whereas Federal employees inspect and oversee agricultural production and
distribution throughout the United States;
Whereas Federal employees provide medical and public health services for members
of the United States Armed Forces and veterans in Department of Veterans
Affairs hospitals, military hospitals, and community-based clinics
throughout the United States;
Whereas Federal employees are responsible for many invaluable social services,
including Social Security, disability benefits, medical benefits,
housing, employment, education, transportation, substance abuse, and
adoption and foster care;
Whereas the United States Postal Service is an entirely self-supporting agency
and while its employees do not receive Federal funding, employees work
to ensure that every corner of the United States is served and connected
regardless of ZIP Code;
Whereas Federal employees were steadfast in accomplishing their indispensable
missions, critical to the lives and well-being of the people of the
United States, during the ``Great Recession'' and recovery, hiring
freezes, pay freezes, and sequestration; and
Whereas Federal employees have continued to perform their duties in dangerous
circumstances, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, in which Federal
employees have supported the development of therapies and vaccines and
otherwise worked to minimize the effects of the pandemic and end it as
quickly as possible: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives
that--
(1) Federal employees should be applauded for their
tireless work and extensive efforts on behalf of the people of
the United States;
(2) Federal employees further should be recognized for the
benefits that they bring to the public welfare, to the progress
of democracy, and to the United States as a whole; and
(3) Federal employees' salaries and benefits should not be
uniquely targeted for deficit reduction.
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