Democrats Propose 3.2% Pay Raise for Feds

Democrats in both the House and Senate are pushing for a 3.2 percent pay raise for federal employees in 2022. The Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act, introduced by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), would give all federal employees a 2.2 percent pay increase and an average 1 percent increase in locality pay.

This year, under President Trump’s fiscal year 2021 budget proposal, federal employees received a 1 percent pay increase with no raise in locality pay areas.

Rep. Connolly said, “Federal employees have been scapegoated for four long years. They've worked tirelessly throughout a global pandemic, risking their lives in service to the American people. The FAIR Act is critical step towards recognizing their contributions and providing fair and just compensation."

Stakeholders in the federal community have voiced support for the measure, citing the importance of pay and benefits for allowing the federal sector to compete against the private in the war for talent.

Jessica Klement, Staff Vice President for Policy and Programs for the National Association of Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), told FEDmanager, “Federal pay continues to lag significantly behind private-sector pay for comparable work. A 3.2 percent average pay increase would ensure federal pay rates do not fall even further behind, and takes a small step towards making up for below market increases in recent years. As federal employees exemplify service every day, but particularly in their response to a global pandemic, they have more than earned this modest recognition for their efforts.”

Sponsor of the Senate companion to the FAIR Act, Sen. Schatz, furthered, “Federal workers play an important role in our everyday lives. They’re caring for our veterans, providing critical research to help fight the pandemic, and cutting our social security checks. After suffering through furloughs and pay freezes over the past few years, these hardworking public servants deserve a raise—and our bill will make sure they finally get one.”