Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07) joined U.S. Representatives James Walkinshaw (D-Va.-11) and Steny Hoyer (D-Md.-05), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and 21 other lawmakers in launching the bicameral Federal Workforce Caucus to bolster efforts to protect federal employees and ensure that they can serve the American people free from political influence.
“Virginia is home to tens of thousands of federal workers, contractors, and service members who serve with a dedication to country, not political party. As their Representative, a 25-year Army officer, and as the husband of a former federal employee, I know that federal workers are essential to the success, safety, and stability of our nation,” said Vindman. “I will never back down from a fight to protect and honor those who choose a life of service. I am proud to be an inaugural member of the federal workforce caucus.”
The Federal Workforce Caucus will provide a platform for Members of Congress to:
- Support and strengthen the federal civilian workforce and the merit-based civil service, ensuring it continues to serve American families and businesses effectively;
- Protect the integrity and nonpartisan nature of federal employment;
- Promote policies that enhance recruitment, retention, and morale across federal agencies;
- Showcase examples of how government programs and federal employees positively impact the lives of Americans;
- Develop and advance data-driven policies that foster modernization and innovation in the federal workforce, including pay competitiveness, performance optimization, and professional development; and
- Encourage dialogue among Members of Congress, current and former federal employees, unions and organizations representing federal workers, and subject-matter experts to guide efforts to modernize government and build a workforce capable of meeting Americans’ needs.
Additional members of the Caucus include U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Edward Markey (D-Mass.), and Mark Warner (D-Va.) and U.S. Representatives Bobby Scott (D-Va.-03), Jennifer McClellan (D-Va.-04), Don Beyer (D-Va.-08), Suhas Subramanyam (D-Va.-10), Johnny Olszewski (D-Md.-02), Sarah Elfreth (D-Md.-03), Glenn Ivey (D-Md.-04), April McClain Delaney (D-Md.-06), Kweisi Mfume (D-Md.-07), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.-AL), and Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.-17).
“Donald Trump and Russell Vought claim that our federal workers are ‘villains’ who ought to be ‘put in trauma.’ That’s dead wrong. Federal employees are patriotic professionals who provide vital services to the American people every day. I have fought to protect them from DOGE’s crusade, and Congress must do the same. That’s why I’m pleased to help found the Federal Workforce Caucus,” said Hoyer.
“Federal workers deliver essential public services on behalf of the American people every day – they are the patriotic civil servants who care for our veterans, conduct food safety inspections, provide aid to communities struck by disaster, and so much more. But from day one, the Trump Administration has relentlessly attacked them and jeopardized the services they provide – as they pursue their ultimate goal of replacing qualified civil servants with political cronies who will do Trump’s bidding without regard for the law. We’re launching the Federal Workforce Caucus to stand united against this Administration’s attacks, to support our federal workers, and to protect the integrity of our merit-based civil service,” said Van Hollen.
“As Co-Chair and Founder of the Federal Workforce Caucus, I’m proud to lead this effort to advocate for our dedicated federal workers and the good government values they uphold,” said Walkinshaw. “Virginia is home to nearly 150,000 federal workers, including more than 60,000 in Fairfax, who care for veterans, protect our food supply, respond to disasters, and keep essential programs running. Too often, they are treated as political targets instead of the backbone of an effective, nonpartisan civil service. This Caucus will be on the front lines defending merit-based public service and advancing policies to strengthen recruitment and retention, boost morale, and modernize pay and professional development. We will work every day to ensure government delivers world-class services for all Americans.”
“Virginia is home to hundreds of thousands of hardworking public servants who keep our country safe and provide critical services to their fellow Americans,” said Kaine. “As the Trump Administration attacks and vilifies this dedicated workforce, we must push back. I’m glad to join my colleagues in launching the Federal Workforce Caucus to protect and strengthen the federal workforce.”
“When federal workers take their oath, they don’t pledge allegiance to whoever is in the Oval Office, they pledge an oath to this nation and our constitution. They deserve our gratitude and respect, yet instead, this Administration has unleashed a witch hunt against our civil servants. The Federal Workforce Caucus is focused – through legislation, advocacy, and dialogue – on protecting our civil servants and allowing them to continue to serve the American people,” said Alsobrooks.
“Federal workers in Virginia and across the country are the backbone of services Americans depend on,” said Warner. “As the Trump administration continues to target federal workers and use them as political bargaining chips, it is critical for lawmakers to come together and defend the job security, pay, and benefits of our dedicated civil service.”
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