Hoyer Statement on 2010 Federal Employee Pay Adjustment

WASHINGTON, DC - Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D-MD) issued the following statement after Congressional appropriators announced that the FY2010 Transportation, HUD omnibus spending bill would include a 2.0 percent federal employee pay adjustment, including a 1.5 percent nationwide increase in base pay and a 0.5 percent average increase in locality pay. Rep. Hoyer led the effort to ensure the final adjustment included locality pay, nullifying the Obama Administration's alternative pay plan released last week that had omitted it. 

"I am pleased the final bill will provide for locality pay to reflect variable costs for federal employees working in various job markets," said Rep. Hoyer. "This provision is critical to bringing federal pay in line with the private sector and enabling the federal government to compete for high quality talent."

Hoyer also relayed assurances he has received from the Obama Administration that pay parity, which was not followed this year, will be included in the FY2011 budget.  Pay parity is the long-standing, bipartisan principle requiring that annual compensation adjustments for federal civilian and military employees reflect the equally valuable contributions they make in service to this nation.

In February of this year, the President submitted a FY2010 budget to Congress citing the need for fiscal restraint during an economic recession, and proposing adjustments of 2.0 percent for federal workers and 2.9 percent for the military. At the time, Rep. Hoyer said he recognized the need for savings, but was disappointed the proposal did not set the precedent for parity in the budget process.

"While I believe that this year's adjustment is reasonable in light of an economic downturn where millions of Americans have lost their jobs, I am disappointed that parity was not achieved," said Hoyer. "Like their military counterparts, civilian federal employees have made significant contributions to help our country respond to the challenges we face both domestically and abroad, and I believe their pay adjustments ought to reflect that.  I have spoken to the Administration about the importance of parity and have been assured it will be included in next year's budget."

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