FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 04, 2026
November 04, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
AFGE Celebrates Historic Election Results
Categories:
Congress, AFGE National President, Election 2026
National President Kelley urges new Congress to immediately restore workers’ rights and pull up DOGE corruption ‘by its roots’
WASHINGTON – In response to the 2026 midterm elections, American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley issued the following statement:
“AFGE members voted for their interests and helped elect pro-worker majorities to lead the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. I want to extend my congratulations to every incumbent and every challenger we supported who won their campaigns.
“The American people sent a crystal-clear message in this election that they want major change in Washington. They are tired of this administration’s corruption, abuse of power, and systematic assault on our shared government that began with Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency and continues to this day. I share their sentiments and look forward to the 120th Congress passing legislation to correct the injustices of the past few years and pulling up DOGE corruption by its roots.
“Specifically, I urge the incoming Congress to pass legislation overturning President Trump’s orders from last year that illegally eliminated collective bargaining rights for more than a million federal employees. Our nation’s civil servants work with dignity and honor to serve the American public, and stripping them of fundamental workplace rights and protections was an egregious wrongdoing that must be corrected.
“But before a new Congress is sworn in, there is still critical work for our current elected leaders to do. Congress must complete its work on key legislation including passing full-year appropriations for federal agencies to avoid a shutdown on Dec. 11 and passing a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act that would restore full collective bargaining rights to Department of Defense workers.
“I am also calling on Congress to override President Trump’s proposed pay freeze for federal workers next year and provide our dedicated civil servants with at least the same 3.8% pay raise being provided to civilian law enforcement officers and military service members. Federal employees treat our veterans and support our military, safeguard our food and air, process retirement and disability payments for tens of millions of Americans every month, and so much more. Making sure they earn a fair wage isn’t just good for them – it’s good for the quality of government services and the people we all serve.”
Written by OPEIU 2 AFL-CIO
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