A budget resolution early in 2015 is a top priority for the incoming 114th Congress. Republican leaders have already said they’re interested in passing some federal workforce reforms. Jessica Klement is legislative director for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees association. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she said she’s worried about the possibility of a budget reconciliation, and what that could mean for federal employee benefits in the future. In her Top 3 for 15, she says she’s keeping a closer eye on federal workforce policy reforms coming from the new Congress.

Jessica Klement’s Top 3 for 2015

1. Federal workforce policy reforms: House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has already put the call out to his members for proposals on how to improve government efficiency, and many Democrats would be eager to support good government initiatives. But the devil of these proposals will be in the details. Will they actually work to improve performance and efficiency, or will they undermine important due process protections that help to maintain a professional and productive civil service rather than a politicized one? Finding the right balance will be important to the proposals that arise in 2015.

What budget reconciliation could means for federal agencies and employees? With the new Republican majority taking office in January, budget politics will take center stage early on. Republican leaders have pledged to pass a budget resolution early in the year and, thanks to the rules first adopted in the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, they only need a majority vote in the House and Senate to move sweeping changes in entitlement, direct spending and revenue laws. Federal civil service benefits have long been the “low hanging fruit” in budget cutting circle. Budget reconciliation could be the vehicle many in Congress have been looking for to cut federal employee benefits.

2. Legislating by headline/tweet: The great unknown. What “scandal,” real or perceived, will take Congress’ focus? Will we see another Benghazi, Fast and Furious or VA scandal? Will SESers again be a target? Or will the 114th learn from the 113th “do nothing” Congress and get stuff done? Will Congress tackle the big issues facing our country, even if they don’t fit into 140 characters? Only time will tell.

In our special radio report, Top 3 for 2015, federal experts tell In Depth host Francis Rose what top three concepts, trends or priorities they believe will be important in 2015.

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