WASHINGTON, D.C.—Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement after House passage of H.R. 790, the Federal Civilian Workforce Pay Raise Fairness Act of 2019, which gives all Federal civilian employees, regardless of whether they have been disciplined for sexual misconduct, a 2.6% pay raise:
“Just a few months ago, President Trump froze civilian employee pay in an effort to keep federal agency budgets on a sustainable course. Now Democrats rammed a bill through the House that gives civilian employees the same pay raise we’d guaranteed for service members. We don’t even know how much this bill will cost! The Congressional Budget Office hasn’t done a formal estimate because Democrats wouldn’t let the bill go through a regular Committee markup.
“What’s even more outrageous is when Republicans moved to prevent federal employees who have been disciplined for sexual misconduct from receiving this pay increase, Democrats blocked the motion, ensuring these employees receive the same pay raise as members of our military.
“Democrats also prevented Republicans from offering an amendment to ensure that federal employees who haven’t paid their taxes would not receive this pay raise. Today Democrats sent a clear message: federal bureaucrats, including those with delinquent tax debt or disciplined for sexual misconduct, deserve the same pay raise as those risking their lives to protect our country. Speaker Pelosi needs to get her priorities straight.”