Bill Name

Status

Notes

Appropriations

Support Administration request

Both the Foreign Ops (PL 109-102) and State (PL 109-108 bills passed as free-standing measures

The appropriations for the 150 Account was about $2 billion below request without counting either the across-the-board 1% cut or the recissions and offsets

In the details, the operating accounts (D&CP) was not fully funded and results in not meeting hiring request.

Further, there was a 1% across-the-board reduction and a $10 million hit on the D&CP account in the DoD appropriations bill.

Overseas Comparability Pay

In House bill, HR 2061 (Sec. 305) but was not included in the Senate bill, S. 600

Good progress in 2005

Improvement in Education Allowance so that parents could send dependents to schools in U.S. and not to closest suitable school

In both the House (Sec. 301) and Senate (Sec. 301 authorization bills

AFSA supports Administration request

WAEs

In Senate bill (Sec. 307)

AFSA supports Administration request

Increase Hardship and Danger Differential

Passed Congress as HR 4436 (Sec. 4) -- PL 109-140

Part of Department’s request to OMB but was rejected by OMB so that only Danger Allowance would be covered

PIT regulation enforcement

OPM finally issued regulations 8/31/05

We got provisions in both the House and Senate authorizing legislation instructing OPM to issue regs -- bills never became law

Reduce Low Ranking Requirement from 5% to 2%

In Senate bill only (Sec. 309)

AFSA and Department both want this. We phrased it as supporting the Department’s request

Restoration of Interim Relief

Passed Congress as H.R. 4436 (Sec. 5) PL 109-140

Expand the provisions of living quarters and allowances for U.S. personnel assigned to USUN

In Senate bill only (Sec. 318)

Support Worldwide Availability Language

In House (Added on Floor) and Senate bill (Sec 313)

Supports Admin Request. AFSA helped get this into the House bill

Amend the Federal Workforce Flexibility Act to grant Sec/State discretionary authority to provide recruitment, relocation and retention bonuses to member of the of the Foreign Service

In House (Sec. 312) and Senate bill (Sec. 314)

New Areas of Authority for Foreign Services Grievance Board

FSGB authority to enforce decisions

In no bill – opposed by State

FSGB would have Interim Relief authority to stay the collection of alleged overpayments of annuities

In Senate bill – added on Senate Floor – not in House-passed bill

FSGB would have Subpoena authority for those who have already left the service

In no bill – opposed by State

FSGB would be given authority to adjudicate cases regarding the operation of Foreign Service RIFs

In no bill – opposed by State

Other Issues

Increased death gratuity for the Foreign Service

In House bill (Sec. 309) – From 1 yrs salary to $100,000 or one years salary which ever is greater

This provisions has problems because it also covers FSNs and that would be opposed in the Senate.