Why It Matters
Federal employees face an unprecedented convergence of threats to their benefits and job protections, driving the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association’s (NARFE) (https://app.legis1.com/organizations/detail?clientLobbyActorId=14694&organizationId=53214#summary)intensified lobbying efforts. House Republicans have advanced proposals to substantially cut federal pensions by increasing employee contributions, changing annuity calculations, and eliminating early retirement supplements. The Trump administration has finalized regulations stripping civil service protections from roughly 50,000 federal workers, while federal employees have received minimal pay raises amid high inflation.
NARFE’s fourth quarter 2025 lobbying targets these challenges through support for the Equal COLA Act, the FAIR Act for pay increases, and the Saving the Civil Service Act, while opposing proposed pension cuts. The organization views the current Congress as a critical window to prevent permanent reductions before future administrations implement further changes.
By the Numbers
NARFE reported $50,000 in in-house lobbying expenditures for the last quarter, continuing a decades-long advocacy effort. The organization has invested $7.56 million across 194 lobbying disclosures since 2003.
NARFE’s team consists of veteran John Hatton, representing the organization since 2012 with $3.68 million in disclosed lobbying, and Randall Thacker, added in October 2025. The organization has relied primarily on in-house lobbying ($5.42 million) while engaging external firms including Ledge Counsel Inc. ($1.71 million).
The Agenda
NARFE is lobbying to protect federal employee benefits across multiple fronts. The organization opposes proposed pension cuts that would increase employee contributions and alter annuity calculations. NARFE supports the Equal COLA Act for fair cost-of-living adjustments and the Federal Retirement Fairness Act for retirement credit on temporary service.
The organization advocates for federal pay increases through the FAIR Act and supports the Saving the Civil Service Act to protect job protections. NARFE also lobbies for back pay guarantees during shutdowns, supporting the Military and Federal Employee Protection Act.
Broader Context
Federal employee issues have become a major Congressional flashpoint. House Republicans advanced pension cut plans, though the House removed some provisions following advocacy pressure. Recent shutdowns left workers without pay while OPM removed back pay guarantee language.
Most significantly, OPM finalized regulations stripping job protections from 50,000 federal employees, effective March 8, 2026. The federal government shed 317,000 employees in 2025, shrinking NARFE’s membership base.
Between The Lines
Congress is actively debating fundamental changes to federal worker protections. The 2025 shutdown furloughed roughly 670,000 federal employees, creating immediate crises around back pay guarantees. NARFE’s legislative strategy directly addresses these threats through targeted bills protecting benefits and job security.
Congressional hearings on Scott Kupor and Eric Ueland nominations to lead OPM and OMB reflect the high stakes, as these positions are critical to implementing workforce policies NARFE opposes.
The Bottom Line
NARFE is lobbying amid unprecedented threats to federal worker benefits. Just this week, the Office of Personnel Management proposed two new sets of regulations that would grant itself the authority to adjudicate the appeals of some federal workers’ firings, wresting control from the Merit Systems Protection Board.
NARFE is defending federal employees on multiple fronts while pushing proactive legislation on pay, benefits, and job protections as part of a broader coalition under intense pressure.
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