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I am pleased by the action of the House Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee in approving a 3.5 percent pay raise in 2008 for federal civilian workers.

This amount, which is half-a-percentage point higher than the 3 percent raise proposed by the administration, would match the amount previously approved by the House for members of the military in 2008. We have seen strong support in Congress for a 3.5 percent increase for members of the military and this vote signals that Congress is also supporting pay parity between military and civilian employees.

The 3.5 percent raise is a key factor for federal agencies in their ability to compete with the private sector for the talented, dedicated employees they need, and the public expects them to have. NTEU will continue its efforts to see that a minimum 3.5 percent raise for 2008 is approved by Congress for both federal civilian employees and those in the military, and that it is signed into law.

NTEU is also extremely pleased to see that the subcommittee took steps to help level the playing field in A-76 competitions for federal employees and to limit the use of private collection agencies at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

I commend Chairman Jose E. Serrano (D-N.Y.) for his leadership on these important issues.