Federal Government Policy and Business

Obama Makes Next Year’s 2.1 Percent Pay Raise Official

Government Executive: President Obama on Tuesday issued an executive order formally implementing his proposal for a 2.1 percent civilian pay raise in 2017.

The executive order is the last step in the pay raise process. Obama originally proposed a 1.6 percent boost for civilians, but in a surprise move earlier this month, he increased that figure to 2.1 percent to match the rate lawmakers granted troops as part of the Defense authorization act.

“In light of the decision of Congress to provide a 2.1 percent pay increase for military personnel in 2017 and reconsideration of current and projected economic conditions, I have concluded it would be appropriate to revise my original alternative plan for locality payments so that the total combined cost of the 1.0 percent across-the-board base pay increase and varying locality payments will be 2.1 percent of basic payroll, “ Obama said in a message to Congress announcing the higher percentage.

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