As a long-time Federal scientist and member of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees I am very concerned about the effort to reclassify merit-based federal jobs to politically appointed at-will employees. During my 30-year career I have seen dedicated public servants do great work, protected from political and partisan concerns by the civil service system we have in place.
The “Schedule F” classification implemented in late 2020 threatened to undo much of the Federal civil service. Fortunately, it was rescinded in the first days of the Biden administration in 2021. Schedule F would turn back the clock to the bad old days when federal jobs were patronage jobs, not based on merit but on political loyalty, and it could be brought back at any time. (Schedule F is included in the much discussed “Project 2025” blueprint published by the Heritage Foundation.)
Federal employees quietly do weather prediction, stop criminals, protect our water resources, and work for all Americans in many ways we don’t often see but depend on every day. Congress can fix this! The Saving Civil Service Act (H.R. 1002/ S. 399) is a critical piece of legislation that seeks to protect the integrity of the merit-based civil service system, ensuring that federal employees are hired and promoted based on their qualifications and performance, not political connections.
The act will help preserve the integrity and effectiveness of federal employees who dedicate their careers to serving the public. I urge everyone to contact their federal representatives and senators in support of passing this law.
Curtis Price
Clinton
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