Federal Pay Raise for 2027 in Doubt as House Panel Omits Increase

The chances are growing that federal civilian employees will not see a pay raise in 2027. 

The House Appropriations Committee advanced the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) bill for 2027, without mentioning a raise for federal civilian employees. That followed the budget recommendation from the Trump administration, which also said nothing about a raise for civilian feds. 

During the markup, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD) proposed an amendment to include a 3.1 percent raise for federal civilian employees next year. 

Rep. Hoyer said pay parity needs to return as the administration has proposed a five to seven percent pay boost for the military. 

“For the overwhelming majority of time over the last 30 years, we have had parity between the military and the civilians,” said Rep. Hoyer. “I would hope that we could again get back to a place where we are treating people who are doing equal things equally.”

The amendment failed by four votes. 

Republicans say they are simply following the will of the administration when it comes to remaking the federal workforce. 

“Presidents often use alternative pay plans when setting pay increases, and this president has chosen to increase law enforcement [salaries] at a higher rate than office workers, which is his prerogative. That’s the reality of politics, and that’s exactly why we have elections every four years,” said Rep. David Joyce (R–OH), chairman of the panel’s financial services and general government subcommittee.

Workforce Policy Amendments Also Fail

Lawmakers also voted down two amendments with broader implications for the federal workforce.

One from Rep. Hoyer would have barred agencies from using federal funding to implement Schedule Policy/Career and Schedule G, two new employment categories designed to transition federal workers into at-will employees. 

Another amendment from Rep. Glenn Ivey (D-MD) would have blocked federal funds from being used to terminate collective bargaining agreements on national security grounds.

Chances for Law Enforcement Raise

Meanwhile, a White House budget document indicates that a pay raise for select law enforcement personnel may be on the way, like it was this year. 

FedWeek notes that a budget document, “Assumes that the administration will ensure a pay increase for certain categories of law enforcement personnel for CY 2027” even amid a general freeze.

The budget does not say how this will be done. In January 2026, law enforcement received a higher raise under “special rate” authority. It also does not specify whether the increase would go to the same categories that received the larger 2026 raise.

It’s important to note that nothing is finalized and federal workers may still yet receive a raise. The president is due to release his alternative pay plan in August. Congress could also enact a raise via legislation in the coming months.