The proposed Federal government appropriations bill crafted by a House-Senate conference committee to fund large swaths of Federal agency operations through September would give Federal civilian workers a 1.9 percent pay increase for the 2019 calendar year, according to a summary of the legislation provided by Democrats today.
The House and Senate are expected to vote on the bill–the Consolidated Appropriations Act–later today. President Trump has not said whether or not he will sign the bill, but numerous press reports quoting unnamed sources indicate that he will do so. Approval of the bill would put an end to Federal government funding uncertainty at least until September 30 when the 2020 fiscal year begins.
“The bill overrides President Trump’s pay freeze for federal employees and provides a 1.9 percent pay raise for calendar year 2019,” according to the Democratic summary of the bill.
President Trump in August 2018 announced a freeze on Federal civilian pay for 2019, after both houses of Congress had agreed to a 1.9 percent pay increase.
Last month, the House voted to approve a 2.6 percent pay increase for civilian Federal employees for 2019, with 29 House Republicans agreeing to the measure. That increase would have matched the one being given to military personnel, but the Senate has not voted on a corresponding bill.
Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., and Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, introduced legislation earlier this month that would give Federal government civilian employees a 3.6 percent pay raise in 2020.
