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Sarbanes Slams Republicans for Pitting America's Veterans Against Hardworking Federal Employees

May 31, 2012
Sarbanes Slams Republicans for Pitting America's Veterans Against Hardworking Federal Employees

WASHINGTON – U.S. Congressman John P. Sarbanes (D-Md.) released the following statement today after the House voted on legislation that funds critical military construction and veterans affairs programs, but includes another pay freeze for federal employees:

"I voted for this bill because America's veterans have made every sacrifice to protect our nation. Although we can never repay the debt we owe our veterans, we must honor their service in every way possible.

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It is deplorable that the Republican leadership would use this bill as yet another vehicle for attacking federal employees, many of whom are the very people that provide veteran medical care and serve at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Making our federal workforce into a political punching bag is not only fundamentally unfair but is supremely unwise because it undermines the government's ability to provide the services that are counted on by millions of Americans."

As a result of federal employee pay freezes and pension reductions, federal workers have already contributed over $75 billion in deficit reduction. This bill would add to the disproportionate burden federal employees have been asked to bear.

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