The Commonwealth of Virginia’s 11th congressional district—and nationwide federal workers—were stunned and saddened to learn about the recent death of U.S. Representative Gerry Connolly from esophageal cancer. Since 2008, Mr. Connolly’s efforts have had a lasting legacy on his constituents and nationwide Feds.
Dan Sipe, the founder of Serving Those Who Serve, has said that “we don’t see red or blue. The only color we see is Fed.” Mr. Connolly illustrated this statement as a warrior in the trenches who fought for the federal workforce.
A History of Public Service
Gerry Connolly earned his master’s degree in public administration from Harvard and became a public servant in 1995 as the Providence District Supervisor for Fairfax County, Virginia. He eventually served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Fairfax County and became an early advocate for teleworking.
Mr. Connolly won his U.S. Congress seat in 2008 and, for the next 17 years, used his influence to support his constituents, veterans, and their families. He was also a strong advocate for Feds, IT professionals, contractors, and others.
During his congressional tenure, Mr. Connolly was a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform and chair of the Subcommittee on Government Operations. Additionally, he was a member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. Mr. Connolly received many accolades during his congressional years, including being named the “Most Effective Lawmaker of the 117th Congress” by the Center for Effective Lawmaking.
Legislation to Protect Feds
During his tenure in Congress, Mr. Connolly sponsored and co-sponsored multiple bills to benefit the federal workforce.
One example was the 2025 introduction of H.R. 493, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act (FAIR). Mr. Connolly has introduced the bill every year since 2016 with the goal of providing well-earned and substantial raises to Feds. Unfortunately, the proposed legislation was never passed into law.
Other legislation Mr. Connolly co-sponsored within the past six months included:
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- H.R. 1522: The Federal Retirement Fairness Act
- H.R. 1989: Protect Our Probationary Employees Act
- H.R. 2743: Raise the Wage Act of 2025
- H.R. 2985: Modernizing Government Technology Reform Act
- H.R. 3139: Public Service Worker Protection Act
- H.R. 3226: Law Enforcement Officers Equity Act
- H.R. 3317: Honoring Civil Servants Killed in the Line of Duty Act
It’s no secret that the past several months have been volatile for Feds. Mr. Connolly became an outspoken supporter of federal workforce protections, sponsoring the following legislation:
- H.R. 2742: DOGE Accountability and Transparency Act: Legislation mandating that the United States Department of Government Efficiency Service (DOGE) provide weekly reports concerning federal agencies' changes and their impacts to Congress.
- H.R. 3171: Reduction in Force Review Act: A bill permitting Congress to review and potentially overrule any president’s decisions concerning agency workforce reductions. The bill also ensures that any actions regarding Fed employment are conducted within the law.
Honoring Gerry Conolly’s Impact
Mr. Connolly dedicated three decades to public service, demonstrating a single-minded commitment to his 11th district constituents and Fed rights. His legacy and support will continue to have an impact well beyond his death.
As a Fed-focused financial services firm, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERS™ and staff with Serving Those Who Serve offer thanks and gratitude to Mr. Connolly for his service, while offering continue prayers for his family.
The CFP™ professionals with Serving Those Who Serve can support Feds through policy shifts and changes by providing sound guidance on financial matters and retirement planning. For additional information, visit stwserve.com or email [email protected].
The information has been obtained from sources considered reliable but we do not guarantee that the foregoing material is accurate or complete. Any opinions are those of Serving Those Who Serve writers and not necessarily those of RJFS or Raymond James. Any information is not a complete summary or statement of all available data necessary for making an investment decision and does not constitute a recommendation. Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of strategy suggested. Every investor’s situation is unique and you should consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon before making any investment or financial decision. Prior to making an investment decision, please consult with your financial advisor about your individual situation. While we are familiar with the tax provisions of the issues presented herein, as Financial Advisors of RJFS, we are not qualified to render advice on tax or legal matters. You should discuss tax or legal matters with the appropriate professional. **
