Federal unionists testify, meet with lawmakers, and demand a budget that protects public services, health care, and the civil service.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the shutdown stretches into day 22, federal workers organizing with the Federal Unionists Network will present testimony at the House Democratic Steering & Policy Committee to expose the damage the administration’s actions are causing to vital public programs — and to the people who make them run.

Workers say they are willing to sacrifice their paychecks to protect democracy and the services people rely on — but they shouldn’t have to.

Following the panel, furloughed federal workers who gave testimony plan to deliver their message to representatives in both the House and Senate, urging lawmakers to hold the line for a budget that protects affordable health care and vital public services for millions of Americans and ends the unlawful firings of federal workers. 

****After that, federal workers will hold a press conference and media availability at 3 PM to give a recap of the actions on the hill*****

Who: More than a dozen Federal workers representing agencies across government (HUD, HHS, NPS, VA, CMS EPA, and more)

What: Press Conference and Media Availability - Federal Workers Call on Capitol Hill: Defending Democracy, Public Service and the People We Serve.
When: Wednesday, October 22

Time: 3 PM

Where: Outside the Supreme Court, sidewalk on First Street, NE, Washington, D.C., 20543

The delegation of a dozen federal workers plans to deliver a unified message: Any budget that skyrockets healthcare costs for everyday people, fires federal workers, cuts care, or weakens public services is a betrayal of the American people.

Featured Speakers

James Jones
AFGE Local 446 – Boone, North Carolina. Army veteran, 28 years at the National Park Service maintaining the Blue Ridge Parkway. Depends on VA care for service-related injuries. His district voted for Trump, but he says, “My neighbors are telling me, ‘I didn’t vote for this.’” Status: Furloughed.

Danny Tsoi. AFGE 1923 – Queens, NY. Marine veteran (Operation Enduring Freedom) and Medicare regulatory analyst responsible for payment rules. His work has been halted by the shutdown. Status: Furloughed. 

Paul Osadebe. AFGE 476 Steward, FUN Steering Committee – Washington, DC. Whistleblower fired after exposing political interference and civil-rights violations under HUD Secretary Scott Turner. Advocates for restoring lawful enforcement of civil rights, governance and agency independence. Status: Administrative leave, pending termination.

FROM THE FRONTLINES

“These illegal firings of competent staff means our communities lose access to healthcare, food assistance, veterans’ services, and public safety protections," said Danny Tsoi, a Marine veteran and federal worker. “This isn’t making the government more efficient — it’s dismantling it. As public servants, we’re asking Congress to hold the line: reverse the illegal RIFs, restore our collective bargaining agreements, and defend the right of federal workers to do our jobs with integrity and free from political interference. Protect the workers who protect our communities.”

“We came to the government to serve the people — not billionaires, not politicians, not a wanna-be king,” said James Jones, an Army combat veteran and federal worker. “This shutdown isn’t about budgets. It’s about whether this government still belongs to the people it serves.”

“When civil servants are silenced or fired for doing their jobs, it’s not just illegal — it’s an attack on the American people,” added Paul Osadebe, a federal worker and civil rights attorney. “We’re here because the Constitution is on the line, and the people who make government work are standing up to defend it.”

Media contacts: media@federalunionists.net 

The Federal Unionists Network (FUN) is a national movement of federal workers and allies working in coalition to defend public services and rebuild government for a more democratic, equitable, and just country.