Authorization Bill Could Be Last Chance

The last chance for boosting the military raise to 2.7 percent—and thus setting the higher figure as the target for civilian employees in the name of “pay parity”–could come in a House-Senate conference on a separate DoD bill, the authorization measure (HR-5122). The House version of that bill backed 2.7 percent for the military although the Senate version backed only 2.2 percent. Congressional leaders hope to have at least one, and possibly both, of the DoD bills finalized before the end of the month, after which Congress will recess until after the November elections. However, it’s uncertain whether a 2.7 figure in the DoD authorization bill could trump a 2.2 percent figure in the DoD appropriations bill, since military raises must be fully funded. The Transportation-Treasury bill carrying the federal raise likely won’t be finalized until a November lame duck session.