[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 17 (Thursday, February 24, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 24, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                    PASSAGE OF H.R. 3345 IMPERATIVE

                                 ______


                         HON. RONALD D. COLEMAN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, February 24, 1994

  Mr. COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, on February 10, 1994 my attendance was 
required in my hometown of El Paso, TX. Unfortunately, this meant that 
I was unable to cast my vote in support of H.R. 3345, the work force 
restructuring legislation. Passage of H.R. 3345 is imperative if the 
administration is to achieve its goal of reducing the Federal work 
force by 252,000 full time positions.
  The Senate is expected to pass a significantly different version of 
H.R. 3345 which will require the agency to contribute 26 percent of the 
salary for civil service retirees who accept the buyout incentive. The 
Senate position will require a greater agency contribution than the 
House version of H.R. 3345 which requires a 17-percent contribution for 
employees electing regular retirement and a 9-percent contribution for 
employees electing to take an early retirement.
  The House-passed H.R. 3345 will allow the agencies to offer more 
buyouts than the Senate version. Thus, reducing the amount of Federal 
employees subject to a reduction in force. As we know, reductions in 
force result in a disproportionate number of women and minorities being 
laid off. This is unacceptable in a time when President Clinton is 
trying to promote a Federal work force that resembles all Americans. 
H.R. 3345 will also empower the agencies to selectively offer the 
incentive, allow the agencies to target middle management for 
reduction.
  My office has been contacted by hundreds of Federal employees in my 
district who will retire if offered an incentive. However, without the 
incentive most have said they will stay in their current position 
unless they are laid off. I fully support the House position on this 
measure and urge the conferees once appointed to adopt the House 
version.

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