In the News

Congressman Gerald E. Connolly (D-VA), Vice Ranking Member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, released the following statement on the House Majority’s addition of the Holman Rule to H.Res 787:

“Last night, without any public debate, House Republicans snuck into legislation the Holman Rule – a cynical and dangerous attack on federal workers that allows Members of Congress to reduce the salaries of federal employees. This archaic tool, also known as the Armageddon Rule, is nothing more than a backdoor way for Republicans to dismantle the federal workforce and carry out political vendettas at the expense of career civil servants.

“This is a page right out of President Trump’s playbook. Reinstating the Holman Rule is no empty threat by the Majority. Last year, they used it to attack the Congressional Budget Office. If they can justify political attacks on CBO - the nonpartisan Congressional scorekeeper – no one is safe.”

The Holman Rule had been added to the Rules package at the beginning of the 115^th Congress for the first session only. It would allow any Member of Congress to reduce the salaries of federal employees through the appropriations process.