Prez backs 2.4% & 1.9% mil/fed raises

President Donald Trump issued executive orders for a 2.4 percent pay raise for the military and a 1.9 percent pay raise for federal workers effective Jan. 1. The military raise would be the largest since 3.4 percent in 2010. In a Dec. 22 notice to lawmakers, the President announced intentions to go with the 2.4 percent military raise that was part of the 2018 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) signed Dec. 12. Office of Management and Budget initially proposed a 2.1 percent military raise. The proposals of NDAA have yet to be funded by either appropriation committees in Congress. To avoid a government shutdown, the House and Senate passed another Continuing Resolution last week to keep spending at 2017 levels until Jan. 22, when they’ll try again to reach an overall budget agreement. Federal employee unions have argued for pay parity with the military. (Source: Military.com 12/25/17)