The financial services-general government spending bill pending in
the Senate contains several significant provisions for federal
employees beyond providing for a 3.9 percent pay raise in January,
imposing a one-year moratorium on new contracting out studies and
cutting off funds for privatized collection of tax debt, the provisions
that have gained the most attention. The House committee has approved a
measure that includes parallel provisions on the pay raise, moratorium
and tax debt collection. It’s unclear whether the bills will be brought
to floor votes at least on the House side, however, due to political
considerations. The language may become part of a catchall spending bill
to take effect at the start of the new fiscal year October 1.