Political Quotes

“Mr. Chairman, as a member of the Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, I strongly urge my colleagues to support the Federal voluntary separation incentive program--also called the buy-out bill. Though the term ``buy-out'' sounds negative, the purpose of this legislation is to streamline Government. Reduction of personnel can be done by voluntary separation or involuntary separation. The voluntary buy-out option before us is the fiscally responsible way to achieve the long-term savings. Involuntary separations are costly and do not separate employees and positions which are in surplus. Involuntary separations retain the most senior employees and move these employees into lower positions at the same pay level they were receiving when the job was eliminated. It then bumps out younger, more recently hired employees. Mr. Chairman, we all represent Federal employees. Separations, whether voluntary or involuntary, may affect people in every congressional district. Rightsizing can be accomplished in the most compassionate manner by utilizing the voluntary separation incentive program.”