05.20.15

Democrats Reject Proposal to Cut Benefits for Injured Workers

WASHINGTON – Today, the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections held a hearing to review the Department of Labor’s (DOL) proposal that would cut workers’ compensation benefits for federal workers who have been disabled due to job-related injury. Democratic committee members fervently rejected the proposal as it would leave most workers considerably worse off than if they had not incurred the injury. Ranking Member of the full Committee, Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson (FL-24), emphasized how essential the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA) is to federal workers and their families.  
 
“I am disappointed that the Department of Labor would come forward for the third time in the past five years with a proposal to cut benefits for injured workers that is not evidence-based, and whose justification has been completely debunked by the Government Accountability Office,” said Ranking Member Scott. “I find it incomprehensible that we are now considering whether to take $500 million from middle class workers—and their families—who have suffered a disabling work-related injury while doing their jobs in service to the American people.”
 
“We cannot make budget cuts on the backs of injured federal workers and families who have lost a loved one,” said Ranking Member Wilson.  “As regrettable as it is, workplace injuries and deaths do occur. When they do, we must ensure that the workers who have committed themselves to federal service are honored by a system that does not leave them and their families financially worse off than if the injury or death had not occurred.” 
 
The Department of Labor’s proposal would reform the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act by making cuts to: 
  • Wage replacement benefits for injured workers with dependents;
  • Benefits for widow(ers) and children of those killed on the job; and
  • Up to 33 percent of benefits for all permanently disabled workers at the time they reach retirement age.
 
Despite the lack of evidence to support the proposed changes, Republicans today proposed adopting some or all of these cuts as part of their budget reconciliation package.  Amongst those affected by the cuts are letter carriers and the widow of a federal prison guard, who were in attendance today.
 
Testifying at the hearing were: Leonard Howie, Director of the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (DOL); Scott Dahl, Inspector General (DOL); Andrew Sherrill, Director of Education, Workforce, & Income Security, Government Accountability Office (GAO); and Ron Watson, Director of Retired Members, National Association of Letter Carriers.  Mr. Watson’s statement can be found here.