[House Document 119-87]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]




119th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 119-87

 
 PAY ADJUSTMENTS FOR CIVILIAN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES COVERED BY THE GENERAL 
                 SCHEDULE AND CERTAIN OTHER PAY SYSTEMS


                               __________




                             COMMUNICATION

                                  from

                     THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

AN ALTERNATIVE PLAN FOR PAY ADJUSTMENTS FOR CIVILIAN FEDERAL EMPLOYEES 
   COVERED BY THE GENERAL SCHEDULE AND CERTAIN OTHER PAY SYSTEMS IN 
  JANUARY 2026, PURSUANT TO 5 U.S.C. 5304a(a)(1); PUBLIC LAW 101-509, 
 TITLE I, SEC. 101(a)(1); (104 STAT. 1436) AND 5 U.S.C. 5303(b)(1)(A); 
  PUBLIC LAW 89-554, SEC. 5303(b)(1)(A) (AS AMENDED BY PUBLIC LAW 101-
                    509, SEC. 529); (104 STAT. 1430)







    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]








August 29, 2025.--Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government 
                    Reform and ordered to be printed
                    
                    
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                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE 
                 
59-011                    WASHINGTON : 2025




                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                    
                                           The White House,
                                       Washington, August 28, 2025.
Hon. Mike Johnson,
Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Speaker: I am transmitting an alternative plan for 
pay adjustments for civilian Federal employees covered by the 
General Schedule and certain other pay systems in January 2026.
    I have determined that for 2026, base pay will increase by 
1.0 percent and locality pay increases will be set at zero. 
This adjustment shall take effect on the first day of the first 
applicable pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2026, 
and will address our ability to attract and retain a skilled 
and highly talented Federal workforce while charting a fiscally 
responsible course.
    Separately, to increase recruitment and retention in 
critical law enforcement roles and to ensure our great Federal 
law enforcement officers are treated fairly, in addition to the 
1.0 percent base pay increase, at my direction the Office of 
Personnel Management (OPM) shall use its statutory authority to 
increase 2026 compensation for certain categories of law 
enforcement personnel by an additional amount to be in line 
with the 3.8 percent increase being given to military personnel 
pursuant to 37 U.S.C. 1009. That change is part of a separate 
process from the establishment of this alternative pay plan 
under 5 U.S.C. 5303(b) and 5 U.S.C. 5304a. Starting September 
2, 2025, OPM shall consult with executive departments and 
agencies to identify the categories of law enforcement 
personnel that will be eligible for this pay increase.
    Without this alternative pay plan, under current law, 
locality pay would increase an average of 18.88 percent, 
costing $24 billion in the first year alone. This change would 
go into effect in January 2026 along with an additional 3.3 
percent across-the-board increase for the base General 
Schedule.
    Title 5, United States Code, authorizes me to implement 
alternative plans for pay adjustments for civilian Federal 
employees covered by the General Schedule and certain other pay 
systems if, because of ``national emergency or serious economic 
conditions affecting the general welfare,'' I view the 
increases that would otherwise take effect as inappropriate.
    We must maintain efforts to put our Nation on a fiscally 
sustainable course; Federal agency budgets cannot sustain such 
irresponsible increases. Accordingly, I have determined that it 
is appropriate to exercise my authority to set alternative pay 
adjustments for 2026 pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 5303(b) and 5 U.S.C. 
5304a.
    Federal employee pay must be based on merit and practical 
skill and aligned with the budget and my Administration's goals 
of streamlining the Federal workforce and reducing Federal 
spending. My alternative pay plan will further my 
Administration's efforts to create an excellent and efficient 
Federal workforce of the highest caliber while maintaining 
fiscal responsibility.
            Sincerely,
                                                   Donald J. Trump.

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