President Donald Trump struck another blow to the administrative state on Thursday by canceling a 2.1 percent pay increase scheduled for civilian federal employees.
“We must maintain efforts to put our Nation on a fiscally sustainable course, and Federal agency budgets cannot sustain such increases,” Trump wrote in a letter to House Speaker Paul Ryan and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Cutting the pay increases scheduled for January of 2019 would save the government $25 billion, according to Trump’s letter.
The president cited his authorities under Title 5, United States Code to implement pay adjustments in response to national emergencies and serious economic conditions.
Trump did not appear to be concerned that civilian government agencies would struggle to retain workers.
“These alternative pay plan decisions will not materially affect our ability to attract and retain a well‑qualified Federal workforce,” he added.
The pay cuts do not apply to the military who will get a 2.6 percent pay raise — the biggest pay raise for the troops in nine years.
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.