Walkinshaw, Van Hollen, Hoyer Lead Bipartisan Coalition of 110 Lawmakers Against Trump’s Proposed Federal Pay Freeze

Lawmakers say a third straight year of pay falling behind inflation would amount to a pay cut for the workforce that inspects food, protects federal networks, and processes benefits

Washington, September 21, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Federal Workforce Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), joined by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), led a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of 110 lawmakers in urging congressional leaders to reject the Trump administration's proposed federal employee pay freeze and deliver a meaningful pay increase in 2027.

The lawmakers urged Congress to enact the 4.1 percent increase provided under the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act, or FAIR Act, which would help federal pay keep pace with rising costs after two straight years of falling behind inflation. At a minimum, they wrote, civilian federal employees should receive the same 3.8 percent increase the Trump administration has proposed for federal law enforcement personnel.

Federal employees received a 1 percent raise this year, well short of the 3.4 percent rise in consumer prices over the past 12 months.

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote:

"These challenges have come on top of just a 2 percent pay raise in 2025 and a 1 percent raise in 2026. Asking these public servants to now accept a pay freeze as the cost of living continues to rise amounts to an effective pay cut

"The Administration's own proposal on federal pay increases demonstrates why such an increase is necessary. President Trump has proposed that federal law enforcement personnel receive a 3.8 percent pay increase to improve recruitment and retention, and has proposed a 5-7 percent pay increase for service members given the critical support they provide our nation. The same rationale applies to all federal workers.

"The federal government must recruit and retain skilled employees to care for our veterans, protect our national security, inspect our food and medicine, conduct lifesaving research, process benefits, secure federal networks, and perform countless other critical functions."

The letter, signed by 12 senators and 98 House members, urges congressional leaders to include the increase in Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations legislation.

The full letter is available here.

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