Federal workers could see 1.9 percent pay increase in bill to avoid shutdown

WASHINGTON — Federal workers would receive a 1.9 percent pay increase under language included in legislation aimed at averting a government shutdown, according to House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md.

The pay hike would be less than the 2.6 percent increase the military received in legislation that Congress passed last year.

President Donald Trump has proposed a pay freeze for federal employees. But lawmakers from the Washington area, who represent tens of thousands of federal workers, have been pushing to get them a pay increase.

The final language of the legislation to avoid the shutdown is still being worked out.

For the pay raise to go into effect, the bill would have to be passed by the House and Senate, then receive the president’s signature.

Lawmakers are also trying to include language in the legislation that would provide back pay to federally contracted workers, related to the 35-day shutdown. The legislation is supported by lawmakers from Virginia, Maryland and D.C.

Mitchell Miller

Mitchell Miller has worked at WTOP since 1996, as a producer, editor, reporter and Senior News Director. After working "behind the scenes," coordinating coverage and reporter coverage for years, Mitchell moved back to his first love -- reporting. He is now WTOP's Capitol Hill reporter.

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