Rep. Don Beyer, a U.S. Congressman representing Virginia’s 8th district since 2015, used his social media platform to address recent Republican actions on health care and federal employee pay policies.
On October 6, Beyer posted a statement criticizing Republican health care initiatives, writing, “Trump and Republicans’ actions on health care:
– Biggest Medicaid cut ever: $1 trillion
– Passing a law that will kick 15 million off coverage
– Cutting rural hospital funding; 3 already closed in VA
– Refusing to protect Americans from huge premium hikes https://t.co/sU5Dfax4xt“
The following day, Beyer turned his attention to federal employee compensation during government shutdowns. On October 7, he wrote, “Federal employees are guaranteed back pay at the end of any shutdown by law. This is not in question.
That law – the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act – passed nearly unanimously. Speaker Johnson and Leader Thune voted for it. Trump signed it. 1/2 https://t.co/shtgM9gv39“
Shortly after, Beyer added, “This Administration’s own guidance and Speaker Johnson’s website both state, correctly, that federal workers will receive retroactive pay ‘as required by law.’
The Trump Administration is just trying to frighten people as a tactic to avoid negotiating in good faith. Despicable. https://t.co/7fwep00SKL“
Beyer’s remarks reference the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act, which ensures federal employees receive back pay after government shutdowns and was signed into law with bipartisan support. His comments also highlight concerns about the impact of proposed health care policies on Medicaid funding and rural hospitals in Virginia.
Don Beyer was born in 1950 in Trieste and has lived in Alexandria for much of his life. He graduated from Williams College in 1972.
