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Congress to Tackle Growing Cost of “Administrative Leave”

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Congress to Tackle Growing Cost of “Administrative Leave”
Thousands of Federal Employees Collect Salary While Not Working 

(Washington, D.C.) – Members of the incoming Congressional leadership are planning steps to crack down on the growing cost of thousands of federal employees collecting salaries while on administrative leave for alleged misconduct. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently reported that taxpayers have been forced to bear a cost of more than $3 billion from 2011-2013 for nearly 60,000 federal workers to stay home on administrative leave for anywhere from at least one month to a year or more. Critics have said that these amount to little more than a “paid vacation” for federal workers, and should be limited.

Jorge Lima, Policy Director of The LIBRE Initiative, released the following statement:  

“As the federal government continues to add hundreds of billions of dollars to the national debt, more and more examples of government waste come to light – a cost that is being passed down to our children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, few in Washington have shown a willingness to cut waste and limit spending in order to reduce the deficit and balance the budget. While it is only one example, if Congress is willing to consider the growing cost of salaries for workers who aren’t even at work, that’s a start and a welcome change.”

For interviews with a LIBRE representative, please contact: Brian Faughnan, 703-678-4581 or Steven Cruz, 202-578-6173.

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