The heads of the House Government Reform Committee and Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, have issued statements in favor of maintaining pay parity. Wrote House panel chairman Rep. Thomas Davis, R-Va.: “Pay parity demonstrates that both military and civilian workers are essential to maintaining the success, strength and general welfare of our nation.” Similarly, Senate panel chair Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, wrote that “it is my strong view that civilian employees should also be rewarded for their work on the front lines during these difficult times and be granted a pay raise on par with military personnel.”