Former Alaska Senator Ted Stevens was a longtime advocate for federal employees. Stevens played a key role in the creation of the Thrift Savings Plan, a 401(k)-type retirement savings program. He also was one of the original sponsors of the 1993 Family Medical Leave Act, which provides 12 weeks of unpaid leave. A moderate Republican, he served longer than any other Republican in history.
When Republicans controlled both houses of Congress, Senator Ted Stevens used his position as Chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee to block any cuts to CSRS, FERS and TSP. Without his help, federal employees’ benefits would be a lot worse today.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/10/AR2007011002372.html
Thrift Savings Plan – The Model for all 401(k) Plans!
Ted Stevens – Father of FERS