1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my outrage over the continued attacks on the federal civil service by Russell Vought and this administration. The latest proposal to eliminate the Douglas factors is yet another attempt to strip away due process, fairness, and accountability in the federal workplace. For more than four decades, the Douglas factors have helped ensure that disciplinary decisions are based on reason, consistency, and the individual circumstances of each case. They require agencies to consider factors such as an employee’s work history, intent, consistency of penalties, and the possibility of rehabilitation before imposing discipline. Eliminating these protections is not government reform. It is an attempt to make it easier to remove career civil servants without meaningful safeguards. Federal employees swear an oath to the Constitution, not to any president or political party. The merit based civil service exists to ensure that Americans receive fair, professional, and nonpartisan government services regardless of who occupies the White House. Weakening those protections threatens not only federal employees but every American who depends on an impartial government. Russell Vought has repeatedly pursued policies designed to weaken the independence of the civil service and concentrate greater political control over the federal workforce. This latest proposal follows a disturbing pattern of efforts to dismantle long standing protections that have served our country well for generations. As your constituent, I expect you to publicly oppose these actions. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to provide oversight and defend the integrity of the federal workforce. Silence in the face of these attacks is unacceptable. Federal employees are not the enemy. They are veterans, scientists, law enforcement officers, Social Security employees, air traffic controllers, nurses, inspectors, and countless other public servants who keep this country functioning every day. They deserve fair treatment, due process, and leaders who respect the rule of law. I urge you to speak out against this proposal, defend the merit based civil service, and oppose any effort that undermines due process for federal employees. History will remember who stood up to protect our institutions and who allowed them to be dismantled. I respectfully request a response explaining what actions you will take to protect the rights of federal employees and preserve the integrity of our civil service.