1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to strongly condemn the continued attacks by the Trump administration on federal employees, their unions, and their fundamental rights in the workplace. The latest controversy involving the IRS and the National Treasury Employees Union is yet another example of this administration treating federal unions as an obstacle to be weakened or eliminated rather than recognizing them as legitimate representatives of American workers. NTEU’s concerns about the administration’s policies and their impact on employees’ First Amendment rights should not simply be dismissed because the government has adopted a new policy after being challenged in court. This is part of a much larger pattern. Russell Vought has repeatedly been at the center of actions targeting federal agencies, federal employees, and the unions that represent them. NTEU has already been forced to take legal action over Vought’s actions at the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, including measures that threatened the agency’s workforce and its ability to carry out its statutory mission. Federal employees do not surrender their constitutional rights simply because they work for the government. Federal unions do not lose their legitimacy simply because this administration finds collective bargaining inconvenient. The administration should not be allowed to use executive power to intimidate unions, undermine collective bargaining, restrict employees’ ability to communicate with their representatives, or circumvent the rights Congress has granted federal workers. I am particularly concerned about the role Russell Vought continues to play in these efforts. His actions should receive serious congressional scrutiny. Congress, not individual administration officials, has the constitutional authority to establish federal agencies, determine their missions, and establish the legal framework governing federal employment. I urge you to stand firmly against these attacks on federal workers and their unions. Please support legislation and congressional action that protects collective bargaining rights, preserves First Amendment protections for federal employees, and prevents this administration from using executive authority to dismantle or weaken lawful employee organizations. Federal employees should not have to spend their time fighting their own government simply to preserve rights that Congress has already granted them. This administration needs to stop attacking unions and start respecting the people who keep our federal government functioning. Please use your position in Congress to hold Russell Vought and this administration accountable and to defend the rights of federal workers.