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Hoyer Applauds Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development Committee's Embrace of Pay Parity

WASHINGTON, DC - House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) released the following statement today after the full House Appropriations Committee included language calling for pay parity for federal civilian and military employees in the FY07 Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development bill late last evening:

       "I am pleased that the Appropriations Committee has recognized the vital contribution that federal civilian employees make to our country's strength and security by including pay parity in the FY07 Transportation, Treasury, and Housing and Urban Development bill.  The Washington area delegation has worked hard over the past decade to ensure that Congress follows the bipartisan principle of pay parity each year, and this year was no different.  I am also pleased that Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security employees will be covered by this language.

       "In January, I was joined by members of a bipartisan, regional delegation in sending a letter to President Bush calling on him to include pay parity for federal civilian employees in his FY07 budget proposal. Although the White House did embrace pay parity, the proposed 2.2 percent increase did not fully recognize the serious gap that exists between the private sector and federal employees and how this gap makes it difficult to attract and retain America's best and brightest employees.

      "I am proud to be a leader in the fight for pay parity, and will continue working to make sure that Congress acknowledges the important role federal civilian employees play in ensuring our national security and the functioning of our government."

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