Lawmakers Make Last-Ditch Push for 2027 Federal Worker Pay Raise

Lawmakers are making a last-ditch attempt to secure a pay raise for federal civilian employees in 2027. This after President Trump submitted an alternative pay plan freezing federal worker pay with the exception of select law enforcement positions.

The Federal Workforce Caucus is eyeing upcoming spending negotiations as the best chance to pass the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act (FAIR Act), by attaching it as a policy rider in a spending package.

The FAIR Act calls for federal employees to receive a 4.1 percent increase in 2027. However, even if the FAIR Act is not enacted, lawmakers say they want a minimum 3.8 percent pay raise for the civilian federal workforce — the same increase proposed for select law enforcement positions.

“We’re going to fight for as much as we can get as soon as we can get it,” said Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-VA). “But federal workers should know that this is going to be a fight, and there’s not a guaranteed outcome.”

Meanwhile, members of the U.S. military are slated to receive a five percent to seven percent raise, depending on rank.

Lawmakers are also warning about pay disparity.

“The person sitting next to that sergeant in civilian garb, not in the military, who’s doing exactly the same thing, ought to be comparably compensated,” said Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD).

The continuing resolution funding the government expires December 11, and lawmakers face a six-week sprint following the midterm elections to reach a deal.

Letter to the President

Many of the same lawmakers sent a letter to President Trump urging him to provide an across-the -board pay raise for federal civilian employees in 2027.

The group called for congressional leaders to reject President Trump’s proposal, saying a pay freeze would fail to keep up with rising costs and will harm workforce recruitment and retention.

In their letter, the lawmakers pointed to the administration’s rationale for increasing law enforcement pay, arguing that the same recruitment and retention concerns apply across the federal workforce.

“If competitive compensation is necessary to recruit and retain qualified federal law enforcement officers, it is also necessary to recruit and retain qualified employees throughout the federal government,” stated the letter.

The group is made up of 98 House members and 12 senators. The letter was signed by one Republican, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.

Administration Cites “Fiscal Responsibility”

In the alternative pay plan issued in August, President Trump said the pay freeze is necessary to “maintain fiscal responsibility without harming the government’s ability to recruit and retain well qualified employees.”

The administration separately proposed increasing compensation for federal law enforcement personnel by 3.8 percent in 2027 to support recruitment and retention in what the president described as “critical law enforcement roles.”

The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) was tasked with determining which roles are eligible for the increase.