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Washington D.C. – Federal employees would receive a 2.6 percent pay raise next year without any increase in locality pay under legislation that passed a key Senate committee today, short of the 3.1 percent already approved by the House.

The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a funding bill for Financial Services and General Government that is silent on the pay raise, which means it defers to the president’s proposal of 2.6 percent across the board.

The National Treasury Employees Union instead supports the House-passed raise, which adds another average 0.5 percent increase in locality pay to the 2.6 across the board amount.

“Federal employees are certainly pleased to have so much strong bipartisan support for a pay increase in 2020, which is better than the pay freeze proposals they’ve faced recently,” said NTEU National President Tony Reardon. “But locality pay is crucial to the government’s ability to recruit and retain skilled workers in high-cost areas around the country, which is why we continue to urge lawmakers to settle on the 3.1 percent proposal.”

An average 3.1 percent raise in 2020 would also match the raise expected for military servicemembers.

The Senate Appropriations Committee also approved $11.4 billion for the IRS in fiscal year 2020, which is $111 million more than the current level. It includes an additional $200 million for high revenue generating enforcement activities.

“NTEU prefers the House version, which would provide $12 billion and help the IRS improve taxpayer services, enforcement and equipment modernization,” Reardon said. “The agency is still trying to make up from the loss of 23,000 employees since 2010.”

Finally, the Senate legislation does not include funding for the proposed reorganization of the Office of Personnel Management.

“As the policy office for the non-partisan civil service, it is important that OPM retain its independence and expertise,” Reardon said. “There appears to be strong opposition from both parties on Capitol Hill to breaking it up and giving an unconfirmed political appointee power over civil service rules and regulations.”

NTEU represents 150,000 employees at 33 federal agencies and departments.