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Washington, D.C.—A preliminary review of White House budget information released today shows a welcome commitment to strengthening federal agencies and the ability of federal employees to serve the public, the leader of the nation’s largest union of federal workers said today.

“I am pleased to see this budget document reflects an understanding both of the important role government plays in the life of every American and the vital part federal employees play in meeting the mission of their agencies,” said President Colleen M. Kelley of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

She added that while NTEU is continuing to examine the information provided by the White House, it is clear that further and more specific data are yet to come regarding particular programs and activities. “We look forward to reviewing additional details impacting employees at NTEU-represented agencies in coming weeks,” she said.

In the data made available thus far, President Kelley welcomed in particular an apparent increase in staffing at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), where employees over the past decade or so have seen an extraordinary increase in workload at the same time staffing has declined significantly.

The preliminary figures indicate the administration is seeking $12.1 billion for the IRS in fiscal 2010, up from the $11.5 billion appropriated for the current fiscal year, including an increase in enforcement funding. NTEU has been pointing out for some time the significant reductions—ranging up to 30 percent—in the number of key enforcement personnel such as Revenue Officers and Revenue Agents over the past dozen years.

The IRS budget proposal reflects the view expressed by Congress in the House-Senate budget conference report. That document said: “We support a strong enforcement budget together with sufficient funding for taxpayer services and modernizing IRS information technology. Helping taxpayers understand their tax responsibilities up-front promotes higher rates of voluntary tax compliance, reducing the need for subsequent enforcement action.”

In other budget requests, the administration is seeking some $2.338 billion in salaries and expenses for the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), an increase of about $300 million. This would be particularly important for this critical agency which has faced sharp increases in its workload without the funding to add the necessary staff.

The FDA budget request would provide for nearly 700 new employees, and would be in addition to staffing increases provided in the fiscal 2009 omnibus appropriations measure and supplemental funding for this year. FDA has been under increasing pressure in large part because of a rash of food-borne illnesses, and tainted products entering the U.S. Given new duties and obligations given to FDA, NTEU believes that an additional $87 million is needed for FDA to properly perform its statutory mission.

“The FDA routinely faces new and complex responsibilities in fulfilling its mission of protecting American consumers. From food safety to medical devices and drugs, the FDA has a daunting workload and NTEU is committed to securing the necessary resources and staffing,” President Kelley said.

Meanwhile, the president also sought a $1.1 billion increase over this year’s funding for the Social Security Administration, which would fund additional positions, including those in the Office of Disability Review and Adjudication (ODAR), where NTEU represents some 900 employees.

The ODAR workforce plays a critical role in handling appeals dealing with Social Security disability claims; NTEU has been calling for additional ODAR staffing to cut into the lengthy and growing backlog of such claims. Long waits for determinations on their appeals have devastating effects on disability claimants, as NTEU has testified to Congress repeatedly in recent years.

NTEU is awaiting further details on other NTEU-represented agencies such as U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Transportation Security Administration.

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.