Federal Managers Association

Press Release

• FMA RELIEVED BY HOUSE AND SENATE VOTE TO AVOID ANOTHER GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN - February 15, 2019
• Applaud Inclusion of 1.9 percent Pay Raise for 2019
  
  
  Alexandria, VA - The House and Senate passed a spending measure yesterday that will avert another government shutdown. The spending bill also includes a 1.9 percent pay raise for all civilian federal employees. The Senate approved the bill by a vote of 83-16 and the House of Representatives passed it by a vote of 300-128. President Trump is expected to sign the $333 billion package before tonight's funding deadline. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Renee Johnson made the following comments on the passage of the legislation:
   
  "FMA is relieved that Congress was able to work together in order to avoid another government shutdown and fund the previously unfunded agencies for the remainder of the fiscal year. All federal employees can continue to perform their constitutionally-mandated missions and receive their hard-earned paychecks without having to worry about a shutdown or furlough. These have been a trying few months for federal employees, many of whom were forced to endure financially draining conditions by thanklessly working without pay or were furloughed. We are thankful for their resilience and continued hard work.
   
  "FMA is also pleased the legislation included a 1.9 percent pay raise in 2019 for all civilian federal employees, to be applied retroactively to January 1. Special thanks goes to Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) for introducing legislation and leading the conversation on the pay raise early in the 116th Congress.
   
  The passage of this spending bill is an example of Congressional appropriators coming together to reach a deal that puts national security and federal employees before politics. We appreciate their hard work the past three weeks which serves as a reminder that bipartisan cooperation still exists in Washington, D.C. We are hopeful that this kind of compromise will become the "regular order" of the 116th Congress as opposed to funding the government through Continuing Resolutions which has plagued our country throughout the past many years.
   
  "FMA wants to thank all federal employees for their steadfast commitment and patience amidst the budget uncertainty during the first months of Fiscal Year 2019. They continue to serve as the backbone of this great nation and a driver of the American economy."

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