Hoyer Statement on Pay Parity for 2017

WASHINGTON, DC – Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement after the Obama Administration announced that all federal employees will receive a 2.1% pay increase in 2017, which establishes parity with military personnel:  

“I’m glad that President Obama has responded to the letter that I and other Democratic Members sent this week asking for civilian-military pay parity by announcing that all federal employees will be receiving a 2.1% pay increase next year.  This is a major victory for those who serve our nation as federal employees and who constitute a critical national asset whose contributions should not be diminished.  The hardworking men and women of our federal civilian workforce support our national defense, ensure that equal protection and equal opportunity rules are enforced, keep our highways safe and waterways clean, and oversee grants that fund education and public health.  They guard our food supply from contamination and keep dangerous drugs out of our schools and neighborhoods.  It is just as critical to recruit and retain talented Americans for our federal civilian workforce as it is to do so for our military. 

“It is disturbing that President-Elect Trump has promised to reduce the size of our federal workforce at a time when we are facing such enormous challenges.  Federal hiring freezes, pay freezes, and reductions in pensions and benefits only make us weaker as a nation and would make only a marginal difference when it comes to reducing deficits.  The best way to ensure fiscal sustainability and cut waste in government is to ensure that we are hiring and retaining the best possible workforce to serve the taxpayers.  I will continue to advocate strongly for that approach as well as for the pay parity between military and civilian personnel that recognizes the monumental contributions to our country made by both.”