ICYMI: Senator Murray Stands Up For Federal Workers As Trump and Musk Try To Push Them Out – More HERE; VIDEO HERE
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, penned the following open letter to all federal workers in Washington state, outlining her serious concerns regarding the so-called “Fork in the Road offer” ahead of the final deadline of February 6, 2025. Murray sent an earlier letter to constituents over the weekend that can be read HERE.
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Dear Friend,
As I’ve expressed previously, I am seriously alarmed by the rhetoric and actions targeting federal workers coming from the Trump administration. At the time of this letter, my colleagues and I are holding the Senate floor in an effort to at least delay the confirmation of Russell Vought to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget, someone who has said he wanted to inflict “trauma” on federal workers. You should know that I am firmly committed to standing up for and protecting the workers who have taken an oath to serve the American people.
So, with the deadline fast approaching for this so-called “Fork in the Road” offer, I want to once again reiterate my concerns and share just some of the correspondence I’ve received—because the public should hear these stories.
Here’s why I am skeptical of this likely scam and so-called “buyout”: First, there is no guarantee workers who accept this offer will get paid through September 30th as promised. Not only is there no funding for that time frame right now, but I personally am deeply skeptical of any offer from a President like Donald Trump, who has so consistently shown he will try to stiff workers at every opportunity. Being given only nine days to decide something like this should already be setting off alarm bells. That is a short amount of time to consider all of the financial impacts of potentially accepting the offer—including if and where you’d be able to find a new job, how this would impact benefits like health insurance and retirement, and a lot more. And we all know scammers often pressure people to act immediately.
Additionally, the information being provided continues to change, and includes a lot of caveats. It claims you can rescind your resignation if you change your mind—but that your job may no longer exist. It claims that you aren’t expected to work if you accept the offer—except in cases determined by each individual agency. It claims that you can stay in your current role—however, there is no guarantee your position will be needed. The lack of clear information and resources about exactly what will be allowed is rightfully creating confusion for the more than 56,000 federal civilian workers in Washington state alone.
Here’s what I’m hearing from federal workers in Washington state:
- One federal worker told me: “In two days time, I have a choice to make. I can choose to take the buyout offer and hopefully get paid for eight months or stay at my job with hopes that I don’t get fired (and not get paid). Each choice comes with big risk. Risk of losing my career, not finding a job in eight months or being let go when I hoped I wouldn’t… The biggest risk I face is being without a paycheck to provide for my daughters.”
- A Hanford worker, who had been recognized repeatedly for their work, wrote to me: “I am a union-protected… hire, yet I am being forced out, along with countless others. I am being pressured to take a ‘buyout’ when I should not have to choose between my career and an arbitrary workforce reduction. I am exactly the kind of employee this agency needs—driven, innovative, and action-oriented… This is not just about me. It is about the gutting of a critical workforce that serves this nation. Federal employees at Hanford dedicate themselves to a mission of national importance. We do not deserve to be discarded.”
- Another worker wrote to me: “As a proud military spouse… I am grateful for the opportunity to build a career in civil service while remaining in Washington. Being a remote federal employee has allowed me to stay in my home state, contribute to the local economy, buy a home, and even start a small business with my husband…. However, the last few weeks have tested my hope in our future. The attacks on the civilian federal workforce have left me—and many of my colleagues—deeply concerned about the stability of our jobs and the critical programs we support. I fear waking up one day to find my position eliminated, my role reassigned… These threats are not just personal; they jeopardize the essential services that keep Americans healthy, housed, fed, and safe.”
- Another wrote in to say: “As a federal employee who has been through [X] performance appraisals and earned ‘significantly exceeds expectations’ [X] times, I am struggling with being on what feels like the chopping block. I love my job, I work hard and I don’t want to walk away… I’m being forced to roll the dice on continued employment or take the buyout. How is this fair to do to civil servants? […] We need our voices to be heard. We are real people with families to feed and mortgages to pay.”
- Here’s from another federal employee: “I purchased my house with the understanding I would be able to telework more often than not. I am [X] years into my public service student loan forgiveness, and it seems unlikely I will receive a discharge at ten years. My coworkers, who I respect and treasure, are being terrified and maligned for doing necessary jobs no one else wants to do.”
- And my office has just been inundated with calls from federal workers, lifelong Washingtonians who are deeply concerned about the future of their jobs, deeply confused about what to do, and unsure what information they can trust—or where to go for help.
With that in mind, some resources for federal workers on the “Fork in the Road” letter that may be helpful include:
- American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) | FAQs on OPM’s Deferred Resignation Program Email
- Civil Service Strong | OPM Fork in the Road FAQs
- Project Democracy: What civil servants need to know in week two
Finally, here is my message to federal workers in Washington state and all over the country: You do so much for our communities. And you all deserve so much better than to have a billionaire with no real understanding of what you do come in, belittle your work, suggest he can do it better, and push you out the door. I want to express my sincere gratitude for all you do—I hope you all will keep up the good work for the American people, and I want you to know, I will keep fighting for you as well.
In service,
Senator Patty Murray
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