Hoyer Praises Passage of 3.5% Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) praised the inclusion of an average 3.5 percent pay raise for federal employees in the consolidated appropriations bill passed by the House tonight.  Pay parity is a long-standing bipartisan principle that ensures fair pay adjustments for the armed services and civilian workforce.  The Senate is expected to vote on the bill this week.

"The Washington, DC regional delegation fought hard to ensure that a fair pay adjustment for federal employees was enacted this year. I am pleased that the federal workforce will be rewarded for their dedication and valued service to this nation," stated Rep. Hoyer.

Earlier this year, Hoyer led the Washington regional delegation in sending a letter to President Bush urging him to support pay parity in 2008.  A 3.5 percent pay raise for military employees is included in the 2008 Department of Defense Authorization Conference Report, which passed both the House and Senate last week.

Although pay parity for civilian employees was approved by the House and was on track for approval in the Senate, the President last month implemented an alternative pay plan with a 3.0 percent adjustment for 2008.  Enactment of the consolidated appropriations bill will override the President's order to grant federal employees a 3.5 percent adjustment.

"From military service and intelligence gathering to the research of human diseases and the protection of our environment, government workers perform a myriad of services critical to the protection and progress of our nation," said Hoyer.  "It is imperative that we continue to provide federal employees with a fair pay adjustment so that the federal government can retain quality employees, and attract the best new workers entering the job market."

According to data provided by the Office of Personnel Management, federal employees in the Washington Metro Area will receive a 4.49 percent adjustment - a full percent higher than what they would have received under President's Bush's proposed adjustment.

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