[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 154 (Tuesday, November 30, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H7651]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   THE FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT PAY FREEZE

  (Mr. MORAN of Virginia asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. MORAN of Virginia. Madam Speaker, I can understand why President 
Obama has chosen to freeze Federal pay for the next 2 years. From a 
political standpoint, it preempts what the Republicans would have tried 
to do next year, anyway, and it responds to an antigovernment attitude 
that was most profoundly reflected in this month's congressional 
elections.
  From a policy standpoint, though, it is, as they say, penny wise and 
pound foolish. The Federal Government has been subjected to a brain 
drain over the last decade, where the best and brightest folks in 
procurement, research and development, information technology, program 
management, budget and accounting and a host of other essential skill 
sets have gone over to the private sector for more pay and, in many 
cases, better working conditions.
  Most of the Federal civil service is eligible for retirement within 
the next few years. This move, which saves very little money, sends a 
signal individually and collectively to accelerate that decision, 
thereby potentially leaving our economy and our society in a weaker 
position to compete globally and to prosper domestically.

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