Complications Arise on Raise

Action on several defense-related bills has called into question whether the January 2007 federal raise will be set at 2.7 percent, the number approved in a recent House vote, or at 2.2 percent, the number recommended by President Bush. The House boosted the raise on the expectation that the military raise would be set at 2.7 percent, but so far the Senate has been sticking to 2.2 percent for the military, and the House has now passed a separate DoD appropriations bill (HR-5631) also containing only 2.2 percent for the military. Both would allow higher targeted raises for some personnel. The Transportation-Treasury appropriations bill, which contains the raise figure, typically is not finalized until the autumn, meaning there is yet time to set a 2.2 percent federal raise.