Two-Year Deal Leaves Federal Pay, Benefits Unscathed

A proposed two-year budget deal unveiled Oct. 27 by congressional leaders addresses the federal government’s funding issues without directly calling for cuts to federal pay or benefits, according to the president of the National Treasury Employees Union.

“While the legislation includes spending cuts, or offsets, in exchange for increasing sequester spending levels, those offsets do not directly affect federal pay or benefits,” NTEU President Tony Reardon said in the union’s Oct. 27 statement.

Moreover, the legislation—which could get a vote on the House floor as early as Oct. 28—addresses potentially large increases in Medicare Part B premiums for retirees ...