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Norton’s Bill to Allow D.C. Courts and Public Defender Service to Offer Buyouts, Instead of Layoffs, Passes Committee

February 14, 2017

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) announced that the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee (OGR) today passed by voice vote her bill (H.R. 1003) to provide the District of Columbia Courts (D.C. Courts) and the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) the same authority that federal courts and federal agencies have to offer voluntary separation incentive payments, or buyouts, to their employees. Norton said that buyouts for employees who are ready to retire or to otherwise leave an agency would eliminate the need for layoffs, improve efficiency, and help ensure rational staffing levels. Norton's bill passed the House last year, but was not taken up by the Senate.

"Authorizing buyouts would allow the D.C. courts and PDS to more accurately assess their administrative and budget needs and provide the flexibility to extend buyout offers to their employees," Norton said. "I thank my committee colleagues for their bipartisan support of this bill and look forward to working to see it pass the House, Senate, and be sent to the President's desk."