House Republicans on Wednesday argued that the struggling economy — for which they blamed President Obama — makes it imperative that Congress move to freeze federal worker pay through 2013.
"I ask members and federal employees to help share in the sacrifice necessary to help millions of Americans suffering under the Obama economy and urge support of H.R. 3835," Rep. Dennis Ross (R-Fla.) said on the floor.
"It's offensive to those unemployed Americans struggling to find a job to see unionized federal employees continue to enjoy comparatively high compensation, which is used to pay dues to government unions, which spend heavily to elect politicians who promise them concessions," she said.
Republicans brought up the bill just days after the Congressional Budget Office found that federal workers earn 2 percent more on average than comparable private-sector workers, but are paid 16 percent more when benefits are considered.
Republicans are hoping passage of the bill puts pressure on House and Senate negotiators who are hoping to reach a final agreement on a full-year extension of the payroll tax holiday. The GOP estimates that extending the federal pay freeze through 2013 would save $26 billion over 10 years and could help pay for the payroll tax holiday.
Republicans were careful during the debate to note that the pay freeze proposal is not a reflection of their opinion of federal workers, but rather a reflection of the fiscal crisis.
"Our appreciation for their service does not bring a mandate to pay them about market rates with little regard to their individual performance," Ross said. He added that even under an extended pay freeze, federal workers would still benefit from step increases within their pay grades, which can amount to 3 percent a year.
"Where else can a pay freeze equal a 3 percent increase per year but in Washington, D.C.?" Ross asked.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) agreed, disputing Democratic arguments that the GOP is attacking federal workers.
"This is not an attack on our federal workforce," he said. "Be grateful you have a job."
Democrats rejected all of these arguments, arguing federal workers have already been living under a pay freeze and that Republicans were piling on by trying to extend it.
"It's not as if the federal employees haven't tightened their belts," said House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.). "They have."
Democrats also bristled at Republican bill that also calls for a freeze for congressional salaries. Hoyer said that while Republicans were hoping that language would make it harder for members to vote against the bill, he would vote against it.
House Budget Committee ranking member Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) made a motion to consider a separate bill to cut congressional salaries, but Republicans objected. Afterwards, Van Hollen said this shows Republicans attached the congressional pay language to help push through the federal pay freeze.
"What we're really seeing is an effort to use congressional pay as a political weapon to punish all federal employees," he said.
The House finished debate on the pay freeze bill at about 1:15 p.m., and was expected to hold a vote on the bill later this evening. Republicans brought up the bill under a suspension of House rules, which means a two-thirds majority vote is needed.
Republicans would need about 50 Democrats to join them in supporting the bill to make that threshold.
