WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement after the Trump Administration announced that all federal employees will receive a 1.9% pay increase in 2018:
“I am disappointed that the Trump Administration announced it will only increase federal employees’ pay by 1.9% for the calendar year 2018 while increasing military personnel’s pay by 2.1%. A fair and rational pay plan for 2018 would provide federal civilian employees, many of whom serve side-by-side military personnel, with the same average raise as members of the armed services not serving in hostile conditions. The concept of pay parity, which I have long supported, is good, rational policy that demonstrates the service of federal employees is valued by our nation.
“The lack of pay parity between federal civilian employees and their counterparts in the military, coupled with proposed changes to the federal retirement system, is troubling. If enacted, these changes would impose significant new costs on civilian employees, both in terms of their net take home pay and their retirement benefits when they retire from the federal workforce. When Congress returns to session next week, I will urge both Republicans and Democrats to include pay parity in the spending measure that must be passed by the end of September.”