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Today is officially day number one of the 114th Congress. David Hawkings of Roll Call calls it the first day of school. And the education process gets under way today for people who represent federal employees before members of Congress. Jessica Klement is legislative director at the National Active and Retired Federal Employees association. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she explained why it's so important to start today telling members about federal employee issues.
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.
The Office of Personnel Management's retirement claims backlog is down by about 10,000 claims in the past 10 months. The average processing time is at 37 days. OPM says an updated case management system will help it do better, but it's not sure yet what exactly that system will look like. Jessica Klement, legislative director for National Active and Retired Federal Employees, and her association's president, Richard Thissen, testified Wednesday before the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on the Federal Workforce, US Postal Service and the Census. She tells In Depth with Francis Rose about the concerns she's hearing from NARFE members.
The primary federal pensions plans -- CSRS and FERS --are the gold-standard compared to virtually any private-sector pension plan. But how safe are they? asks Senior Correspondent Mike Causey.
Uncle Sam isn't Detroit. At least not yet, says Senior Correspondent Mike Causey. But a growing number of politicians -- some seeking better ways to do things, some bureaucrat-haters -- are looking at the government retirement program as the place to make savings.
The continuing resolution funding your agency expires in 16 days, on Dec. 11. The possibilities for what happens after that ranges from another CR, to a full government shutdown, or even to Congress passing an omnibus bill. Jessica Klement is legislative director of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she offered predictions on what might happen over the next few weeks.
The 113th Congress is on pace to be one of the least productive in history, according to the Pew Research Center. When Republicans take over the Senate in January, they'll deal with President Barack Obama entering his lame duck years. Jessica Klement is Legislative Director of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she shared legislation that helps federal employees she'll try to push through the political standoff.
Dave Snell, director of retirement benefits for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees, answers your questions about federal health care. October 22, 2014
Benefits expert David Snell of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, joins Federal News Radio's Mike Causey for an online chat about Open Season and federal benefits.
Jessica Klement, legislative director for the National Active and Retired Federal Employees association, joins host Mike Causey for a look at how members of Congress voted on legislation that matters to feds. October 15, 2014
Next month, 399 representatives and 28 senators seek re-election. That means federal employees can oversee and grade the people who oversee and grade their agencies. The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association releases its annual scorecard in time for the election. It keeps tabs on the 113th Congress and how it votes on key legislation affecting federal employees. Jessica Klement, legislative director of NARFE, tells In Depth with Francis Rose about some of those key votes.
Vermont and Rhode Island lawmakers were among those in Congress who consistently voted in favor of federal workers and retirees, according to the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association's latest scorecard.
The House of Representatives might pass a continuing resolution today. The Senate could then vote on a CR as early as tomorrow. That means in just a few days your agency could have some budget certainty. At least until the end of December. Jessica Klement is Legislative Director of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association. On In Depth with Francis Rose, she shared what she sees from the CR process.
National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association delegates elected Richard G. Thissen as their new national president. He succeeds outgoing President Joseph A. Beaudoin.