(UnitedVoice.com) – The last few years have been hard on the American people in many ways, but especially financially. Inflation spiraled out of control, and while it’s finally coming down, millions of families are still riding the struggle bus. President Joe Biden is now trying to help federal workers during the ongoing economic issues.
On Thursday, March 9, the POTUS released his fiscal 2024 budget plan. In it, the commander-in-chief proposed a 5.2% average pay raise for military members and federal employees. Government Executive reported the White House is highlighting the proposal as part of an overall effort to ensure the federal government is “equitable, effective and accountable.”
The salary increase would go into effect in January of next year if Congress agrees. It would be the largest increase in 43 years. The previous record was set by a 9.1% raise for federal employees in 1980.
The Washington Post reported there is already opposition to the raises. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) slammed the president for trying to “ensure that federal workers’ pay and benefits are insulated from the price-tag of inflation” while the American taxpayers who don’t work for the government help to fund his policies. He went on to say lawmakers should put taxpayers first. Currently, the representative has not introduced a bill to raise the federal minimum wage.
POLITICO reporter Connor O’Brien reported the president’s budget proposal also includes a 3.3% increase in defense spending over last year, which includes the 5.2% raise for the military.
BREAKING: Biden's FY24 budget is out! Here's what we know on defense:
—$886B for overall national defense, up from $858B (up 3.3%)
—$842B for DoD, up from $816B
—$9.1B for Pacific Deterrence Initiative
—$6B to support Ukraine/Europe
—$37.7B for DoD nukes
—5.2% troop pay raise— Connor O'Brien (@connorobrienNH) March 9, 2023
According to the Biden Administration, the raise is necessary if federal agencies wish to attract workers from the private sector. It isn’t just Republicans who are against the raise. Everett Kelley, the president of the American Federation of Government Employees National, said the percentage falls short of the raise needed to “make serious progress in closing the double-digit pay gap” between private sector and federal workers.
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