Martin Sabo: “I rise in strong support of H.R. 3345, the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act. This bill is essential to implementing…”

“I rise in strong support of H.R. 3345, the Federal Workforce Restructuring Act. This bill is essential to implementing President Clinton's plans to reduce Federal personnel and restructure the Government. Under this bill, Federal agencies would be able to offer targeted incentives to encourage workers in certain offices or occupations to retire or resign. Without the bill, agencies would be forced to carry out their downsizing through layoffs--a process not only harmful to the workers involved but also very costly and disruptive to the Government. While this bill does have some short-term costs, it also produces substantial savings in both the short run and the long run. First, the buyout payments themselves are not a new or additional cost for the Government. Federal agencies will be required to absorb the cost of these payments out of their regular personnel appropriations. The only cost increases produced by the bill come in the Federal retirement system. These are more than offset by later savings in that same system.”