Foreign Service Colleagues:

The six-month Continuing Resolution (CR), that passed and should be signed by the President today, provides for continuation of the 16 percent of OCP already implemented, but specifically blocks disbursement of the third tranche of 8 percent.  Passage of HR 1 would have put the entire 24 percent at risk.  This outcome is the best we could expect under the circumstances, and thanks to all who engaged with the elected representatives.  

The House ended up passing a “clean bill,” free of riders and without further amendments by a vote of 260-167, the Senate by 81 to 19.  Now Congress and the administration are moving on to even bigger spending battles, such as raising the federal debt limit, the FY12 budget and long-term deficit reduction.

We are deeply disappointed that Foreign Service members will likely continue to suffer a pay cut for overseas service.  We will continue to work for full implementation of OCP, bearing in mind that the current mood on the Hill calls for a nuanced approach.   One immediate goal is to introduce the current freshmen class of lawmakers to the Foreign Service and all we do for their constituents, as well as to the important role that diplomacy and development play in protecting our national security.  We will also continue to work with our longtime supporters on Capitol Hill, and constructively engage those with a different perspective.   

This is a marathon, not a sprint, and we are ready for a sustained effort to eliminate the penalty for overseas service.  AFSA took up this effort years ago and against considerable odds, with the support of Secretary Clinton, got bipartisan agreement to end the inequity caused by denying Washington locality pay to Foreign Service personnel when assigned abroad.  We will continue to protect the 16 percent already gained and push for closing the gap completely. 

For AFSA to be an effective voice for the Foreign Service, and for us to tell our story more convincingly to the American public and to Congress, we need your broad and sustained engagement.   With this engagement and support we can make AFSA a powerful advocate for diplomacy, development and the Foreign Service. 

Sincere thanks go to the many AFSA members who have already contributed to our efforts to inform their elected representatives.

Regards,

Susan R. Johnson