WASHINGTON, June 18 (UPI) -- A House panel has approved a 2009 pay hike for federal civilian employees that is 1 percent higher than the raise proposed by U.S. President George Bush.
The House Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government approved the 3.9 percent raise on a voice vote, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.
Before taking effect, the pay raise would need to be adopted by Congress as part of a $22.4 billion spending package for 2009. The Senate has yet to consider the issue, the Post reported.
Rep. Jose E. Serrano, D-N.Y., the subcommittee chairman, said the 1.9 million civilian government employees "need and deserve to have their pay reflect their efforts."
The raise matches the bump the committee approved for military personnel.
The White House had proposed a 3.4 percent raise for military personnel and 2.9 percent raise for civilian workers, the Post reported.
