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With days left in his term of office, President Joe Biden penned a letter to federal employees, obtained by Government Executive, Thursday thanking them for their service to the country during his administration.
“You could have chosen to do anything with your talents, but you chose public service. Every day you came to work, poured long hours into hard jobs, and spent time away from your loved ones,” he said. “You gave your heart and soul to this Nation. I am forever grateful to you and your families for your sacrifices, and all you have done on the frontlines to help realize the promise of America for all Americans.”
Biden — who in his farewell address to the nation Wednesday night touted successes like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, pandemic recovery and economic support for American semiconductor jobs — echoed those achievements and others in the letter, giving credit to more than 2 million federal employees.
“Together, we ushered in historic progress. Ending a once-in-a-century pandemic. Rebuilding the world’s strongest economy. Revolutionizing American science and innovation. Transforming our Nation’s infrastructure. Lowering prescription drug prices. Leading the world against climate change. Reducing gun violence. Providing the care and benefits our veterans and their families earned and deserve. Keeping our Nation and fellow Americans safe and secure at home while restoring American leadership in the world, and so much more.
“None of this progress would have been possible without you,” he added. “And I hope you look back on these past four years with pride in your service and in upholding our core values of honesty, decency, and integrity.”
The letter serves as the final salute to a workforce that Biden helped bolster during his four years in the White House, following a winnowing of federal civilian staff in the first Trump term.
Since taking office in 2021, Biden grew the full-time, non-seasonal federal workforce by nearly 6%, reinforcing the State, Health and Human Services, Veterans Affairs and other departments alongside agencies like the U.S. Agency for International Development and Environmental Protection Agency.
He also presided over the largest pay increase for the federal workforce in more than 40 years when he authorized a 5.2% pay raise in fiscal 2024, and helped return a quorum to the Merit Systems Protection Board, which nearly eliminated a five-year backlog of litigation cases as a result.
Biden’s letter comes as the pending Trump administration and its advisory government efficiency commission have signaled their intent to develop a leaner federal government that could include fewer civilian employees and selected nominees who have appeared critical of the role federal employees play.
The outgoing president closed his letter commending the service rendered by the federal workforce.
“I’ve long believed that, at our best, America is a beacon of light to the world. That simple truth is reflected in each of you. You represent the best of who we are as Americans.”
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