Comstock Statement On Federal Employee Pay Raise

Statement

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement on the proposed federal employee pay raise, for which she fought:

"I am pleased that an agreement has been reached to provide our federal employees with the raises they have earned and deserve. This is an important complement to our providing the largest pay raise to our military in almost a decade and it is a strong sign of our respect and support for the essential work done by our federal employees. I appreciate the support of Chairman Frelinghuysen and Chairman Graves in working with us to achieve this important priority," said Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA). "With our strong, booming economy, it is essential that we keep our federal salaries competitive so we attract the talent in the civilian workforce that is needed for our national security, homeland security, law enforcement, and medical research jobs and more. The pay freezes that occurred for 3 years during the Obama Administration hurt our federal employees and we will continue fighting for competitive compensation and work with the coalition of Members throughout the country who represent our federal employees -- 5 out of 6 of whom live outside the Washington Metropolitan area."

"NARFE appreciates the Congresswoman's hard work and dedication to advance a modest pay raise for federal employees in 2019. While her efforts were supported by a bipartisan group of members of Congress, Representative Comstock's leadership on this issue should be commended. A modest increase in pay not only acknowledges America's hardworking, middle-class federal employees, but also serves as an investment that will help maintain and strengthen the federal workforce and align it more competitively with the private sector," commented NARFE National President Richard G. Thissen.

Timeline Of Events
August 30th - Administration announces a proposed pay freeze for civilian federal employees in 2019.

August 30th - I contacted White House immediately to let them know of my strong opposition and relayed my concerns about how this negatively impacted our quality federal workforce. I was the first Member of Congress in the local delegation to oppose this proposed pay freeze. I spoke with the Appropriations committee and House leadership to have the House agree to the Senate increase in pay if the White House does not reverse their decision.

August 31st - The President said he'll reportedly reconsider this decision.

September 7th - I joined with a bipartisan coalition of my colleagues in asking the President to reiterate on behalf of our collective constituencies "to reconsider canceling the federal civilian employee pay raise"

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