U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) on July 15 sponsored the Stop Improper Federal Bonuses Act to prohibit federal agencies from giving bonuses to employees who have conduct violations.
“We have to end the practice of federal agencies awarding bonuses to employees who have engaged in serious misconduct or criminal behavior,” Sen. Fischer said.
Additionally, S. 2119 would provide a mechanism to recover previously awarded bonuses when a federal agency finds out about any misconduct.
Specifically, an agency would be permitted to allow an employee who is required to repay a bonus to do so using a repayment plan, according to the text of S. 2119.
“Under my bill, bonuses to federal workers will only be given on the basis of merit,” said Sen. Fischer. “This will help ensure we are using taxpayer dollars in a wise and responsible manner.”
From October 2015 through December 2016, the Internal Revenue Service issued more than $1.7 million in awards to 1,962 employees having a disciplinary action or adverse finding during the previous year, according to a 2018 report released by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
An “adverse finding” occurs when an employee violates a workplace policy for which he or she could be terminated or suspended for at least 14 days, or when employees violate a law for which they could be imprisoned for more than a year.
If enacted, S. 2119 would prevent federal agencies from giving a bonus to a federal employee for five years after the end of the fiscal year in which the agency made an adverse finding, according to the text of the bill provided by Sen. Fischer’s office.
S. 2119 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.