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On Thursday, Oct. 5, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to advance its 2018 budget resolution. This resolution is a broad measure that designates government spending with far-reaching implications, including enormous cuts to postal and federal workers, as well as America’s social safety net, while providing tax cuts for the wealthy. While the resolution passed the House on a narrow 219 to 206 vote, a federal budget can only take effect if agreed to by both chambers.
Tens of thousands of postal and federal workers called on their lawmakers throughout the summer and fall to reject any budget balanced on the backs of workers. After APWU and our allies in the Federal-Postal Coalition planted a flag opposing the House’s draconian cuts, 18 Republicans lawmakers joined all Democrats voting in opposition. You can see how each representative voted, including a list of the 18 opposing Republicans, at GovTrack.
“To all of APWU activists who made the call, who visited in person, thank you,” said Legislative and Political Director Judy Beard. “You stepped up and made known to your member of Congress the devastating effects the budget resolution would have on workers. I know you will continue to be seen and heard as the budget moves forward. The budget fight is far from over.”
The Senate next has to consider its own resolution and recently released a budget starkly different from the House version. While the House resolution contains instructions to cut $32 billion from the committee of jurisdiction over the Postal Service and postal/federal pay and benefits, these are absent from the Senate budget resolution. The Senate budget also does not call for bringing the Postal Service “on-budget.”
“It is imperative that the House’s attacks on the postal and federal workforce are kept out of the Senate budget, and out of any possible compromise resolution between the two chambers,” said President Mark Dimondstein. “Our continued activism and engagement will be crucial.”
Stay up to date on the latest developments and action items on
apwu.org and through APWU e-Team legislative alerts.
