Political Quotes

“I would like to focus on the soft landing provisions of the bill. Budget reductions, reinventing government, downsizing, rightsizing, streamlining, and restructuring--whatever it's called, the result could be the same--reductions-in-force [RIF]. Many dedicated Federal employees are concerned that they will be displaced from their jobs by RIF's. As the Nation's largest employer, it is our responsibility to make sure that downsizing is conducted in the most fair, sensitive, and humane manner. These soft landing provisions will do just that. The bill before us contains many of the provisions contained in H.R. 2751, the ``Federal Employee Separation Incentive and Reemployment Act,'' which I introduced on December 7, 1995. These soft landing provisions will help the separated Federal employee make a smooth transition into the private sector. This legislation will permit employees separated in connection with a RIF to continue health and life insurance benefits for 18 months. It authorizes agencies to establish job counseling and job placement programs for current or former employees. It authorizes agencies to provide retraining and relocation assistance to employees separated in connection with a RIF who take a job with a non-Federal entity. This would also provide educational assistance to employees separated in connection with a RIF.”