Another Raise Recommendation Could Be on Way

The White House has another opportunity coming to stake out its position on the January 2007 federal pay raise, since under federal pay law the President may recommend by the end of August an “alternative” pay raise. The administration might use its opportunity to once again advocate the 2.2 percent increase it recommended in its budget proposal earlier this year, rather than the 2.7 percent amount being considered in Congress. That would be one more factor at play in the appropriations process as Congress works after reconvening following Labor Day on spending bills for the budget year that starts October 1.