Federal workers lost one of their most ardent supporters, strongest allies, and fiercest protectors in modern history.
Virginia Representative Gerry Connolly passed away on May 21 after announcing to his constituents in an email message on April 28 that he would not seek reelection and would step down as the top Democrat on the House Government Oversight Committee soon due to a worsening cancer diagnosis. In that email, he promised his Fairfax County constituents, which include 80,000 federal workers, that “I’ll do everything possible to continue to represent you and thank you for your grace.”
And so one of the last things he did – just 20 days before he passed – was to demand that the Trump administration rescind Schedule F, now called Schedule Policy/Career, which seeks to politicize the public service and allow tens of thousands if not hundreds of thousands of federal workers to be hired and fired based on political ideologies. Additionally, on May 14, just a week before he passed, he led his colleagues in a letter to the Trump administration opposing a revival of Schedule F.
Since April 28, he also launched an investigation into a report that the Department of Veterans Affairs tried to silence whistleblowers, reintroduced a bill that would provide death benefits to the families of civil servants who are killed in the line of duty, introduced a resolution honoring America’s government workers during Public Service Recognition Week, introduced a bill that would guarantee federal law enforcement officers will receive the full compensation they’ve earned, introduced a bill that would make it easier for veterans who are victims of fraud to be made financially whole, and issued a statement criticizing Trump’s 2026 budget proposal for slashing funding and attacking the federal workforce.
But Rep. Connolly’s work on behalf of federal workers started years before that. Since 2014, for example, he had introduced the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act every year to make sure federal employees were fairly compensated. He was a staple at AFGE’s annual legislative conferences and rallies to protect federal workers’ jobs and benefits. At congressional hearings, he often asked pointed questions and turned the tables on witnesses or even colleagues whom he believed were being intellectually dishonest when attacking federal workers, their missions, and their unions. To say Rep. Connolly led the fight in Congress against the systematic assault on the federal workforce is an understatement.
On behalf of government workers, AFGE President Everett Kelley thanks Rep. Connolly for his tremendous contributions and support for federal workers over the course of his career:
“I am deeply saddened by the passing of Representative Gerry Connolly. His unwavering commitment to public service and steadfast advocacy for federal employees have left an indelible mark on our nation.
Throughout his tenure in Congress, Gerry Connolly championed the rights and well-being of federal workers. His leadership in introducing and supporting legislation like the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act demonstrated his dedication to ensuring fair compensation for those who serve our country. Rep. Connolly also was a vocal opponent of policies that threatened the integrity of the civil service, sponsoring bipartisan legislation to protect the civil service from politicization. He stood firmly against initiatives that aimed to undermine the merit-based system, recognizing the importance of a nonpartisan and effective federal workforce.
His passing is not only a loss to those who knew him personally but also to the countless federal employees and citizens who benefited from his tireless work. On behalf of AFGE and the 820,000 federal and D.C. government employees we represent, I extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and constituents. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide us in our ongoing efforts to advocate for the rights and dignity of all federal workers.”
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