The House Appropriations Committee this week approved two fiscal year 2014 funding measures which failed to include an increase in federal pay. Though there are still other opportunities to give federal workers a much-needed pay adjustment, it appears the House will remain a formidable obstacle.
The bills, providing funding to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of Veterans Affairs, respectively, are two of twelve annual appropriations bills developed to fund government operations. The bills must be passed by both the House and Senate, then signed by the President in order to take effect. Regardless of process, the early handling of these measures sets a concerning tone for millions of federal workers trying to make ends meet.
“We can’t neglect federal employees forever,” said NFFE National President William R. Dougan. “Federal workers have already sacrificed way more than necessary to reduce the debt, but some in Congress want more, more, more. A fourth year of frozen pay would be devastating to these hardworking, middleclass Americans. We need to stand up and demand Congress do what’s right by giving them the pay adjustment they have earned.”
Sadly, it comes as no surprise that the House would exclude federal pay from these measures; the Republican-dominated branch has consistently lampooned any attempt at increasing pay for the past three years. In the Democrat-controlled Senate, however, the prevailing budget template does include a one percent pay adjustment. President Obama has also requested a one percent adjustment in his FY2014 budget, released this April.
Federal workers deserve better than what they’ve gotten from their government, and we need you to help us in this fight. Visit the NFFE Legislative Action Center at www.nffe.org/takeaction, and learn how you can be a part of the solution.
