Hearing Of The Committee On Homeland Security And Government Affairs- "Domestic Partner Benefits for Federal Employees: Fair Policy and Good Business"

Statement

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate your
leadership on this important issue. I am pleased that
Representative Baldwin is able to join us today. Her
advocacy on this topic is well known.
The title of this hearing is: "Domestic Partner
Benefits for Federal Employees: Fair Policy and Good
Business." It aptly describes why we have introduced
this bill to extend employment benefits to domestic
partners of federal employees. It is both fair policy and
good business practice.

When it comes to employment, the federal
government must compete with the private sector in
attracting the most qualified, skilled, and dedicated
employees. Today, health, medical, and other benefits
are a major component of any competitive employment
package.
As the Chairman has explained, the Domestic
Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, which we have
introduced, would give a federal employee and his or her
domestic partner the same benefits available to married
federal employees.
The federal government already faces a two-pronged
challenge in attracting and retaining talented and
dedicated employees.
The first challenge comes from private sector
employers, who are increasingly offering these kinds of

benefits as standard fare. Among Fortune 500
companies, domestic partner benefits are becoming
commonplace. According to the Office of Personnel
Management, nearly 60 percent of Fortune 500
companies, including some of our top federal contractors,
extend employment benefits to domestic partners.
The second challenge comes from the potential wave
of federal employee retirements in the next few years.
Approximately 60 percent of the federal workforce will
be eligible for retirement over the next decade. If the
federal government fails to attract or retain employees
because of a lack of competitive benefits, then the impact
of these retirements will be magnified.
As we learned at our hearing on this bill during the
last Congress, the private sector offers domestic partner
benefits as part of its strategy for building a stronger

workforce. These benefits help foster a sense of loyalty
between the employees and the organization, creating a
more stable and productive work environment.
Many state and local governments also have
extended employee benefits to domestic partners in
committed relationships. For example, Maine's state
government offers benefits to its employees who are in
committed domestic partnerships.
If the federal government is to compete with the
private sector for the most talented members of our
workforce, and if our goal is to create a loyal, dynamic
federal workforce for the future, then we need to be able
to offer competitive benefits.
I look forward to hearing OPM's views on how this
legislation will help draw talented applicants to serve in
the government and help retain them.

Again, I thank you, Mr. Chairman, for having this
hearing today. Our legislation will help promote a strong
federal workforce. It will also serve as an important
measure of fairness and equality for our dedicated
employees.

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