Norton Highlights Federal Employees in Remarks During Oversight Committee Reconciliation Markup

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from today’s Committee on Oversight and Accountability (COA) markup of its portion of the reconciliation bill, where she highlighted the valuable contributions America’s federal employees continue to make in the face of unprecedented attacks by the Trump administration. The reconciliation bill advances several proposals to reduce the pay, benefits, and protections for federal employees.

“The administration and Republicans in Congress are trying to dismantle much of the federal government, gut the federal workforce and fill federal jobs with political loyalists, in violation of the Constitution, statutes and regulations,” Norton said. “Most recently, the administration stripped federal employees of their collective bargaining rights. Federal employees, who provide invaluable services to the American people, deserve praise—not derision, cruelty, fear, chaos and illegal firings. These actions would – and have – deprived the federal government of expertise and experience. This harms the services the federal government provides to all Americans.”

Norton’s remarks follow.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

Oversight Committee Reconciliation Markup Statement

April 30, 2025

I strongly oppose the reconciliation bill, including this committee’s portion.  Republicans are taking away Medicaid, food assistance, pay, benefits and protections for federal employees and other critical federal funding and programs to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations.

The Trump administration and Congress have launched unprecedented attacks on federal employees, federal contract workers, federal agencies, federal programs, the rule of law and the Constitution, among other things.  Most recently, the administration stripped federal employees of their collective bargaining rights. 

The administration and Republicans in Congress are trying to dismantle much of the federal government, gut the federal workforce and fill federal jobs with political loyalists, in violation of the Constitution, statutes and regulations.  Federal employees, who provide invaluable services to the American people, deserve praise—not derision, cruelty, fear, chaos and illegal firings.  These actions would – and have – deprived the federal government of expertise and experience. This harms the services the federal government provides to all Americans.

Instead of attacking federal employees, this committee should be considering bills to support the federal workforce, such as my bill to combat federal pay compression.  I yield back.

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