Mikulski Praises Cost of Living Adjustment for Federal Employees

U.S. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski (D-Md.), Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today (Dec. 23) praised President Obama’s announcement of a one percent pay raise for federal employees in January of 2014.

“I’m proud to fight on the front lines for federal employee pay as hard as federal employees fight on the front lines each and every day for America,” Senator Mikulski said. “This long-overdue modest pay raise for federal government employees is a good step in recognizing the value of federal workers. They have been the targets of unending attacks. They’ve been furloughed, laid off and locked out through no fault of their own. I believe federal employees should never be scapegoats in fights over deficit reduction.”

Maryland is home to the headquarters of 20 major federal agencies, from the Social Security Administration to the Food and Drug Administration. More than 300,000 federal employees and retirees live and work in Maryland, serving the nation and serving the world.

As Chairwoman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senator Mikulski fought to ensure that the final agreement to reopen the federal government in October would permit the President to implement his plan for a one percent cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for federal employees in January, 2014. Federal employee pay has been frozen for three years with no cost-of-living adjustments, leaving families stressed and stretched. They have been subjected to rolling furloughs since March due to sequester.

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