The House of Representatives will be considering the Veterans, Employees, and Taxpayers Protection Act of 2017 (H.R. 1461), introduced by Representative Jodey Arrington (R-TX).

This bill in its original and amended form:

• Places a cap on official time use by any local union official employed by the Department of Veteran’s Affairs as low as 25 percent, unless a waiver is granted by the Secretary;
• Forbid any local union official who earns more than $100,000.000 annually from using any official time, unless a waiver is granted by the Secretary;
• Forbid local union officials from contacting members of Congress while on official time, even if the contact is in regard to whistleblowing protection;
• Extend the probationary period of new hires at the VA from 12 to 24 months;

NAGE/IBPO and your colleagues across the country need your help to defeat this bill. Contact your representative and tell them to vote NO to H.R. 1461, and any legislation that restricts the use of official time or extends probationary periods for federal employees.