Floor SpeechNeutral2026-02-03

RESTORING RETIREMENT PROCESSING FOR FEDERAL WORKERS

HealthcareEnvironmentHousing

Context

On 2026-02-03, Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) delivered a floor speech titled "RESTORING RETIREMENT PROCESSING FOR FEDERAL WORKERS" in the House. The speech addressed healthcare and also covered the environment, housing.

Full Text

RESTORING RETIREMENT PROCESSING FOR FEDERAL WORKERS

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)] [House] [Pages H1969-H1970] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RESTORING RETIREMENT PROCESSING FOR FEDERAL WORKERS (Mr. SUBRAMANYAM asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, this past year, more than 112,000 Federal employees retired, far more than last year. A lot of them retired because they took the DOGE buyout deal, the Deferred Resignation Program, where people were given a buyout if they resigned by October. Others had simply put in their time and were ready to leave and receive their earned retirement benefits. We are here months later, and many of these Federal employees who have served our country well are still waiting for their benefits and the money that they are owed. Our office has seen a huge spike in constituents experiencing delayed retirement processing at OPM, at Federal agencies, and at payroll providers across the government. These delays are not isolated. They are systemic. The administration knew these retirements were coming. It was part of the DOGE plan, but once again, the administration was not prepared for what came next. As a result, Federal retirees faced delayed annuity payments, gaps in benefits, and real financial hardship. These are families who are trying to pay mortgages, cover healthcare, and plan their next chapter. This backlog is completely unacceptable. We must fix it and restore trust in a retirement system that enables us to recruit the great people who we have in government. [[Page H1970]] ____________________

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RESTORING RETIREMENT PROCESSING FOR FEDERAL WORKERS Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 24 (Tuesday, February 3, 2026)] [House] [Pages H1969-H1970] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] RESTORING RETIREMENT PROCESSING FOR FEDERAL WORKERS (Mr. SUBRAMANYAM asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.) Mr. SUBRAMANYAM. Mr. Speaker, this past year, more than 112,000 Federal employees retired, far more than last year. A lot of them retired because they took the DOGE buyout deal, the Deferred Resignation Program, where people were given a buyout if they resigned by October. Others had simply put in their time and were ready to leave and receive their earned retirement benefits. We are here months later, and many of these Federal employees who have served our country well are still waiting for their benefits and the money that they are owed. Our office has seen a huge spike in constituents experiencing delayed retirement processing at OPM, at Federal agencies, and at payroll providers across the government. These delays are not isolated. They are systemic. The administration knew these retirements were coming. It was part of the DOGE plan, but once again, the administration was not prepared for what came next. As a result, Federal retirees faced delayed annuity payments, gaps in benefits, and real financial hardship. These are families who are trying to pay mortgages, cover healthcare, and plan their next chapter. This backlog is completely unacceptable. We must fix it and restore trust in a retirement system that enables us to recruit the great people who we have in government. [[Page H1970]] ____________________