While public-sector unions file lawsuits to block President Donald Trump’s reforms to the bureaucracy, federal government workers are getting paid by the taxpayer for time they spend doing work for those very same unions.
The little-known practice of “official time” allows bureaucrats to bill the taxpayer for hours they spend doing work for the union. Members of Congress have filed bills to ban the practice, but a budget expert suggests that taxing the practice instead might pose a smaller hurdle for getting it through Congress.
While most bills face a 60-vote threshold to avoid a filibuster and get through the Senate, senators could pass such a tax through a process known as budget reconciliation—a process by which bills only require a majority of senators’ votes to pass.
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., a member of the House Budget Committee, told The Daily Signal he supports the idea of taxing official time.
“Taxpayers shouldn’t be footing the bill for federal employees to conduct union business instead of fulfilling their official duties,” Cline said in an emailed statement Wednesday. “Taxing or ending ‘official time’ altogether are commonsense options to ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly while increasing accountability in the federal workforce.”
“It’s important that public funds serve the American people, not private union interests,” he added.
Senators Weigh In
Senate Republicans also condemned official time.
“Federal employees should not engage in union activities on the taxpayer’s dime, which is why I’ve introduced legislation to ban the practice,” Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, told The Daily Signal. He was referring to the No Union Time on the Taxpayers’ Dime Act, a bill he filed in July. The bill never made it out of committee.
“So-called ‘official time’ has been abused as essentially publicly funded political organizing by government employees on federal property, which would be illegal in any other context,” Lee added. “We should get rid of it. Public servants should serve the public while on the clock.”
“Bureaucrats seems to have forgotten that they serve the American people, not themselves,” Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, told The Daily Signal. “If federal employees want to engage in union activity while on the clock instead of doing their job, they need to reimburse taxpayers for every last cent.”
“My Protecting Taxpayers’ Wallet Act ends the absurd practice of taxpayer-funded union time and eliminates tax dollars for public unions,” she added. Ernst was referring to legislation banning official time that she filed earlier this month.
Ernst has exposed bureaucrats claiming to be on taxpayer-funded union time while sitting in jail or after moving to Florida. As chair of the Senate DOGE Caucus, which aims to help the Department of Government Efficiency combat fraud, waste, and abuse, Ernst moved to outlaw official time as part of her effort to get the federal workforce back to work.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, suggested he would be open to passing a tax on official time through the budget reconciliation process.
“I think that’s an interesting idea,” he told The Daily Signal in an interview on Thursday. “There’s no doubt we are going to need to consider a number of ideas that are fundamentally transformational. If you look at the election in November, this was a mandate. … We have an historic opportunity right now; we can’t miss the moment.”
Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., agreed that Congress should get rid of official time.
“We shouldn’t be paying for somebody to do something besides their job as a federal worker. That’s the No. 1 thing,” Scott told The Daily Signal in an interview on Thursday. “The American taxpayer is not interested in paying for somebody to do a job that’s not part of their job, to provide a service or provide a product, or something like that.”
He did not specifically address taxing official time in budget reconciliation, but he insisted that the government should not “allow people to get paid to work on doing something that’s not their job as a federal employee.”
“That needs to be changed,” Scott added.
Why Budget Reconciliation?
While Lee’s and Ernst’s bills take aim at official time, they may fall short of the mark when it comes to getting through the legislative process, experts note.
“Though this practice of abusing official time should be banned outright, Democrats are unlikely to join with Republicans to give them the 60-vote threshold in the Senate that’s required to do so,” Richard Stern, director of The Heritage Foundation’s Grover Hermann Center for the Federal Budget, told The Daily Signal. “Banning the practice would also not fit with the tight requirements of what could be done in a reconciliation bill—which only requires 51 votes in the Senate.”
“However, imposing taxes on the practice would fit the parameters of reconciliation,” Stern noted. “Using tax policy in this manner would allow a conservative majority in Congress to pass a policy that would work towards ending this terrible abuse of the taxpayer’s dollar.”
To drive the point home, Stern noted, “Your tax dollars quite literally go to pay for the salaries of people while they are doing work for unions that is often at odds with what is in the best interest of the country.”
Sean Higgins, a deregulation and labor union analyst at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, agreed.
He told The Daily Signal he would prefer to ban official time outright, but “if reconciliation is a means to do this, it’s an interesting approach and a worthy try.”
Biden Hides the Ball
Higgins noted that the Office of Personnel Management previously published the amounts the federal government spent on official time in a regular report titled “Taxpayer-Funded Union Time Usage in the Federal Government.” The Biden administration not only stopped publishing the reports but removed the web page hosting previous reports.
“They got rid of it because it was embarrassing,” Higgins said. “The unions just don’t want us to know that this happens. I’m sure the broader public doesn’t know it exists or would be surprised to find out about this phenomenon.”
Ernst and Rep. Michael Cloud, R-Texas, wrote to Charles Ezell, acting director of the Office of Personnel Management in the new Trump administration, to restart the annual reports, and an OPM spokesperson told The Daily Signal the office will again release this information under Trump.
“OPM is committed to transparency and accountability,” the spokesperson told The Daily Signal in an emailed statement Thursday. “We are in the process of compiling this data and will begin releasing this information again. Unfortunately, the previous administration halted its publication, shielding unions from taxpayer scrutiny. We are working to restore this critical transparency for the American people.”
The Deep State Effort Against Trump
Higgins, the Competitive Enterprise Institute scholar, noted that official time is “literally just people being paid by the government not to work for the government but to work for entities that seek to increase costs for the taxpayer.”
Only 5.9% of private sector workers were union members last year, while 32% of public sector workers had joined unions, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The aggregate number of employees belonging to unions in the public sector (7 million) was roughly the same as those in the private sector (7.2 million).
Higgins contrasted “the days when a union worker was someone who worked in a factory and was trying to get a few extra hours or a safety regulation” with today. “Now, the typical worker is someone who works for the government, and the union makes it impossible for them to get fired by the government.”
He further noted that “any person who works for any organization tends to get territorial and parochial” and will likely “resent anybody from the outside telling them what to do.” Bureaucrats have often seen their work as apolitical and have stayed in the administrative state from one administration to another.
Trump is not carrying out business as usual, however. Higgins described Trump’s reforms as “the first time somebody has tried to seriously throw a wrench in the system and rework it from the ground up.”
Now, public sector unions like the American Federation of Government Employees, an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, are filing lawsuits to block Trump’s reforms.
“They’re just trying to protect their members as they see fit,” Higgins noted. “They’re for the status quo ante, and the administration is not.”
A recent poll found that 64% of Washington, D.C.-based federal employees who voted for Kamala Harris in November say they will refuse a lawful Trump order if they consider it bad policy. Trump aims to prevent this deep state from growing.
The American Federation of Government Employees did not respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment about whether federal employees have claimed official time in work related to the lawsuits they have filed against the Trump administration.
Tyler O’Neil is senior editor at The Daily Signal and the author of two books: “Making Hate Pay: The Corruption of the Southern Poverty Law Center,” and “The Woketopus: The Dark Money Cabal Manipulating the Federal Government.”
Reprinted with Permission from The Daily Signal – By Tyler O’Neil
The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of AMAC or AMAC Action.
“….A recent poll found that 64% of Washington D.C. based federal employees who voted for Kamala Harris in November say they will refuse a lawful Trump order if they consider it bad policy. Trump aims to prevent this deep state from growing…”
Hmmm, and yet this is the same bunch that considered Biden’s orders “holy writ”
I distinctly remember the PATCO union (air traffic controller’s union) tried to defy President Reagan’s order to return to work in 72 hours or be fired.
Needless to say, they were permanently fired.
I know, because I was one of the military air traffic controllers ordered to step in to assist the remaining non union controllers.
Bottom line: Don’t mess with Trump.
I think there should be NO union in government (that includes education). No one is forced to stay at a job that they think is not paying them well enough. If a lot of government employees quit because they want better conditions, that should help DOGE cut overspending. Most workers could improve their conditions if they worked harder and did more for the government (or company).
Government workers should not even have a union. I could never understand why Federal works have a Union. A puzzle!
Public employee is payed by public, who does not oversee the efficiency and the job actually done. I am sure if they were slashed in half the job for the rest would not be strenuous. For eons they went along in the nice and easy way undisturbed not too much light on their activity and now windows are forced wide open and fresh air and sunshine let in . I can see the panic , scuttling and squealing trying to hide. Were it not dems who said if you’ve done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide you have no reason to worry, I don’t remember the occasion when it was said. They sure are worried and panicking now, wonder why, what is there to hide.
I am not in favor of unions especially in government. The fact that my tax dollars go to pay an organization to work against me, the taxpayer makes me ill. If the government workers want to do union business, do it on their own time.
Big difference between private Unions and Government Unions. Gov Unions should not exist. It was started by an Executive Order signed by Pres Kennedy, then made into law. Get rid of them.
Private unions are just that. Joe Q Public doesn’t pay any part of private Unions.Teachers Unions are public. They shouldn’t exist either.
The dirt of the Biden regime is coming out every day and the “woke” still don’t get it. Why? Because DOGE is getting too close to their abuse of govt money. They are thinking of it as their money. Plus these Woke Dems have no conscience or soul. It’s get Trump. Why don’t you look at it what’s good for America? The voters voted for their country. Trump is just the man to do that. No more no less. Only the progressive, the left and the dems will never see that. They want the power over the people and the elite billionaires will make the money by keeping the people poor and in chains.
I think unions are past the need for them. We already have national laws regarding wages, employee relations, safety procedures. In the government it’s just a means to make it almost impossible to fire employees based on performance. They have to steal, fight or commit fraud and then it’s still a nightmare.
If it is illegal, immoral, or just plain wrong you know the Democrats are involved in it. The unions have always been nothing but a money laundering machine for the Democrats. They know it we know yes, so why do they keep getting away with it? Democrats lost the house the Senate and the presidency, I want to know why are they still running the show? They need to be classified as a domestic terrorist organization
Decades ago, unions in their day literally saved the lives of workers, forced to work in dangerous, low-paying jobs. However, sadly to say, many have become too powerful. Unions, especially union presidents, have become money-chasing, greedy, power-hungry ‘what’s in it for me’ opportunists, rather than FAIRLY and sincerely caring for the members. Not to put ALL the blame on unions, some of it also falls on greedy, power-hungry, and even sometimes corrupt companies and corporation presidents and CEOs. The higher the money and unreasonable demands, the more corruption, greed and power is guaranteed.
Sunshine is the clue to an effective disinfectant for this malodorous practice. Supporters in Congress who are aware of and determined to end the practice must continue loud and frequent mention in public forums to alert and energize their constituents to contribute objections to representatives.
The Congress and the Senate think we work for them. They are our overlords and we the taxpayers answer to them. How do they get so rich?
I agree with many here. I believe that NO government employee should belong to a union. I also believe that about teachers which are included in my thoughts of a government employee. Not sure how that can be changed but I think it would be a great improvement in things.
Put the reports and the website back up and let we the people see them! No union work on our taxpayer dime. Yes, get this in the reconciliation bill!!!
We need 3 crews. 1 coming, 1 going and 1 trying. Only 2 can’ts. Can’t get it, can’t stay. If they can’t or won’t follow the orders of the President, fire them on the spot with no recourse. This is how the private, tax paying sector works. Suck it up or hit the road.
What do government workers need a union for? They work for an outfit that regulates workforce policies. Why work for an employer that regulates the union you are under??
Just another DIMM scam. DIMMS like more government employees because over 90% of their unions’ political contribution go to DIMMs. George Meany, former head of the AFL-CIO, said that government workers SHOULD NOT be allowed to form a union. He was a Democrat but had some scruples! The AFT and NEA have RUINED education by putting politics ahead of children’s needs.!
The bottom line here is “congress fighting”. When have they ever not taken the side of the lobby supporters like Unions? When has congress ever actually fought to prevent fraud, waste and the like? When has congress ever been on the front line of keeping America solvent? When has congress played an active roll in controlling govt. spending to any amount that matters? Try NEVER for an answer.
1- UNION purpose- perpetuate the UNION. 2- do that by payroll deduction for dues. 3- perpetuate the UNION Management. 3- Do that by payroll deduction for dues and keep enrollment up.( that’s why the UNION filed suit to stop layoffs) Union management (I know oxymoron) earns far more than any of the members. Just to attend meetings, make speeches, file lawsuits.- Yes, I was a union member and a Steward.
the big mistake was allowing unions in the government all unions should be removed from government jobs.
I’ve never worked in the government (I did enlist/served honorably in The U.S. Army) at any level, only the private sector, both as an employee and as a business builder/owner/operator (for 30 years). That business was strictly “merit” or open shop in a state that is open. I was early in life in a mandated trade union and soon decided it was not for me; I thought I’d much prefer to have to prove myself and earn promotions and pay increases doing my own negotiating; personal responsibility. Private business has improved dramatically in my lifetime, mostly for the good. Government on the other hand via Congress and numerous administrations have given we Americans much less than our monies worth in my reading of government employment largess. I firmly believe that employees must as Trump oft states, earn their way; be personally responsible as noted, and grasp meritocracy as the ethic to be applied and followed in their working lives. True for all in America’s workforce. I think too many owners, and CEO’s have lost their way and look too often at employees as victims, maybe due to their own largess and desire to isolate themselves. In the engineering, manufacturing, and contracting business both inside and outside The U.S. I learned early you start everything with knowing your cost, and that can be a moving target.
Unions for public employees should be banned completely. It’s like being able to hire your own boss and of course since you hired them you get whatever raises you want. Private sector unions are fine but all public unions should be decertified.
In California,the teachers,firemen and police are the civil masters.They are majority owners of the Democrat Party in CA.The taxpayers are the civil servants.
Another very important and concerning aspect of “official time” is: the fact that those Union officials that are graciously granted official time by management, ARE generally those Union officials that undermine the rank and file and work in consort with the managers—in more understandable words, “not Union work at all” while those Union officials that REPRESENT the ranks, are denied the same official time. If you’ve ever worked as a Steward in a Union and actually represented the employees, you ARE painfully aware of the practice!!!
The most disturbing part of all this “waste” (I call it more accurately IMO “graft” at the least, “theft” at most) is as yet no one has come up with a dollar amount representing how much of our $37 TRILLION in debt is attributed to this “waste”! Its like the old math trick of a penny saved, doubled the amount each day, year-after-year until it totals millions…
Keep up the good work President Trump! The corruption in government has lasted to long and unions are bad news.
Gov’t unions were never needed in the first place. It was lazy employees who opted for the unions; those who took multiple long bathroom breaks but seen chatting in hallways during those breaks. Even before unions back in the early 1960s, employees weren’t fired (because bosses didn’t want to have to deal with all the paperwork) but were usually promoted just to get them out of that office. So the boss was just as lazy it seems, because promoting them was easier and quicker.
Past time to reel in public employee unions. Since they are employees to the public the practice of politicians making arrangements with unions needs to stop. They are conflicted by the desire for votes and use public money concessions to gain their personal vote. That is wrong on every level. Now there is a need for belt tightening to beat the deficit we have total pushback from unions. Who runs the country? Congress is the last place to approve union packages. That is a conflict in interest for votes. FED employees are already richer in pay and benefits than comparable public sector employees. There should be no rules preventing adjustment of workforce and certainly no restrictions that prevent firing for cause.
Tax this “Official Time” at 100% and the problem is solved.
Appalling! How the Federal got so Bloated and arrogant is a testament to how evil the Progressive Leftist Democratic party really is…… and 75M Harris voters just don’t care.
Give it to DOGE to expose.
I wonder if the next midterm elections will fire all the dead wood in Congress. Term limits should have happened years ago.
CUT grants
CUT contracts
Fire personnel or transfer
Seize assets
you gotta be kinding,Right official time and we pay,aint goverment graft great !!!!
I guess the first question is who has time to do this if they have assigned work duties that would take up their time. If they have this idle time, we have too many employees. As I remember in Trump’s first term, he toyed with the idea of doing away with unions for federal employees. that sounds like a better idea. In the old days government employees worked for far less wages than did the private sector as they have retirement benefits accruing. Now they make far greater wages than the private sector, have union representation, and not only better retirement benefits, as the private sector long ago did away with pensions. They are without doubt the best career jobs in America, all on the backs of the hard working non union Americans trying to keep food on the table.