Podcasts Government Federal Drive with Tom Temin As agencies face budget uncertainty, Democrats propose a 7.4% pay raise for feds

As agencies face budget uncertainty, Democrats propose a 7.4% pay raise for feds

Published: Jan. 31, 2024, 12:22 p.m.

b'After federal employees saw their first paychecks with a 5.2% raise this year, House and Senate Democrats are once again turning their attention to next year\\u2019s federal pay raise.\\nBut under a continuing resolution that\\u2019s now funding the government well into 2024, many agencies are trying to figure out how to fund the already higher pay rates for their employees.\\nStill, in what\\u2019s become an annual tradition, Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) reintroduced the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act in the House and Senate Tuesday. If enacted, the FAIR Act would give most civilian federal employees a 7.4% average pay raise next year. The legislation accounts for a 4% across-the-board raise, plus an average of a 3.4% locality pay adjustment.\\nThe two lawmakers, alongside dozens of Democrat co-sponsors, said a hefty raise for federal employees is only fair given past years of pay freezes, government shutdowns and sequestration cuts.\\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices'