President Donald Trump hands out pens to workers while signing a presidential proclamation on steel and aluminium tariffs, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Michael Reynolds/European Pressphoto Agency)
'Absolutely Repulsive': After $1.5 Trillion Tax Giveaway to the Rich, Trump Cancels Modest Pay Raise for Federal Workers
"President Trump pushed through a tax scam that gave unprecedented handouts to billionaires and corporations—but believes it's too expensive to pay hardworking federal workers a reasonable wage."
Suddenly expressing deep concern for "fiscal sustainability" just months after signing a tax bill that is expected to add $1.9 trillion to the national debt over the next ten years, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is canceling pay raises for nearly 1.8 million federal workers because he claims "federal agency budgets cannot sustain such increases."
"What an insulting way to mark Labor Day."
--Rep. Barbara LeeThe president's abrupt move--which comes less than a week after a federal court struck down his attempt to undermine federal workers' right to bargain collectively--was met with widespread condemnation by progressive lawmakers and labor activists, who argued that the $25 billion Trump claimed the pay raises would cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the GOP's enormous gifts to the rich.
\u201cTrump is scrapping federal employees\u2019 scheduled pay raises, which would have cost $25 billion. \n\nTrump\u2019s tax cuts cost $190 billion annually.\u201d— Eric Umansky (@Eric Umansky) 1535659005
"President Trump pushed through a tax scam that gave unprecedented handouts to billionaires and corporations--but believes it's too expensive to pay hardworking federal workers a reasonable wage," wrote Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). "What an insulting way to mark Labor Day."
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) similarly ripped the president's decision to cancel planned pay raises after handing billionaires huge tax breaks as a "slap in the face" to workers.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)--which filed the lawsuit that defeated Trump's anti-union directive last week--noted in a statement that the president's move completely ignores the fact that federal workers "are worse off today financially than they were at the start of the decade. Federal employees have had their pay and benefits cut by over $200 billion since 2011, and they are earning nearly five percent less today than they did at the start of the decade."
\u201cWe stand with ALL federal workers. Their hard work should not be taken for granted! This is absolutely repulsive. #1u @AFGENational\u201d— California Labor Federation (@California Labor Federation) 1535658032
Trump's decision to cancel the modest 2.1 percent pay raises that were set to go into effect in 2019 comes as wages for most workers are either completely stagnant or declining. Meanwhile, corporate profits are soaring to record levels, the stock market is booming, and CEO pay remains sky-high.
\u201cTrump\u2019s Spending Priorities:\n\n\u2705 Trips to Mar-a-Lago\n\n\u2705 Golf outings every week\n\n\u2705 Guns for Teachers\n\n\u2705 $1.5 trillion F-35 fighter jet\n\n\u2705 Giant military spending increase\n\n\u274c Paying federal workers\u201d— jordan (@jordan) 1535652248
\u201cHow many corporate CEOs will get a fatter bonus check because of the #GOPTaxScam?\u201d— People for Bernie (@People for Bernie) 1535655517
According to West Wing Reports, 80 percent of the workers affected by the pay freeze live outside of Washington, D.C., and many live in red and swing states:
\u201cApproximate number of civilian govt. workers/voters in the following states will not get raises in 2019, because of @realDonaldTrump's decision today: \n#FL: 79K\n#GA: 72K\n#IA: 9K \n#KY: 23K\n#MICH: 26K\n#MO: 34K\n#NC: 44K\n#OH: 50K\n#PA: 60K\n#TX: 114K\n#VA: 136K\n#WV: 15K\n#WISC: 15K\n(OPM)\u201d— West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus) (@West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus)) 1535648428
Join Us: News for people demanding a better world
Common Dreams is powered by optimists who believe in the power of informed and engaged citizens to ignite and enact change to make the world a better place. We're hundreds of thousands strong, but every single supporter makes the difference. Your contribution supports this bold media model—free, independent, and dedicated to reporting the facts every day. Stand with us in the fight for economic equality, social justice, human rights, and a more sustainable future. As a people-powered nonprofit news outlet, we cover the issues the corporate media never will. Join with us today! |
Suddenly expressing deep concern for "fiscal sustainability" just months after signing a tax bill that is expected to add $1.9 trillion to the national debt over the next ten years, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is canceling pay raises for nearly 1.8 million federal workers because he claims "federal agency budgets cannot sustain such increases."
"What an insulting way to mark Labor Day."
--Rep. Barbara LeeThe president's abrupt move--which comes less than a week after a federal court struck down his attempt to undermine federal workers' right to bargain collectively--was met with widespread condemnation by progressive lawmakers and labor activists, who argued that the $25 billion Trump claimed the pay raises would cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the GOP's enormous gifts to the rich.
\u201cTrump is scrapping federal employees\u2019 scheduled pay raises, which would have cost $25 billion. \n\nTrump\u2019s tax cuts cost $190 billion annually.\u201d— Eric Umansky (@Eric Umansky) 1535659005
"President Trump pushed through a tax scam that gave unprecedented handouts to billionaires and corporations--but believes it's too expensive to pay hardworking federal workers a reasonable wage," wrote Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). "What an insulting way to mark Labor Day."
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) similarly ripped the president's decision to cancel planned pay raises after handing billionaires huge tax breaks as a "slap in the face" to workers.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)--which filed the lawsuit that defeated Trump's anti-union directive last week--noted in a statement that the president's move completely ignores the fact that federal workers "are worse off today financially than they were at the start of the decade. Federal employees have had their pay and benefits cut by over $200 billion since 2011, and they are earning nearly five percent less today than they did at the start of the decade."
\u201cWe stand with ALL federal workers. Their hard work should not be taken for granted! This is absolutely repulsive. #1u @AFGENational\u201d— California Labor Federation (@California Labor Federation) 1535658032
Trump's decision to cancel the modest 2.1 percent pay raises that were set to go into effect in 2019 comes as wages for most workers are either completely stagnant or declining. Meanwhile, corporate profits are soaring to record levels, the stock market is booming, and CEO pay remains sky-high.
\u201cTrump\u2019s Spending Priorities:\n\n\u2705 Trips to Mar-a-Lago\n\n\u2705 Golf outings every week\n\n\u2705 Guns for Teachers\n\n\u2705 $1.5 trillion F-35 fighter jet\n\n\u2705 Giant military spending increase\n\n\u274c Paying federal workers\u201d— jordan (@jordan) 1535652248
\u201cHow many corporate CEOs will get a fatter bonus check because of the #GOPTaxScam?\u201d— People for Bernie (@People for Bernie) 1535655517
According to West Wing Reports, 80 percent of the workers affected by the pay freeze live outside of Washington, D.C., and many live in red and swing states:
\u201cApproximate number of civilian govt. workers/voters in the following states will not get raises in 2019, because of @realDonaldTrump's decision today: \n#FL: 79K\n#GA: 72K\n#IA: 9K \n#KY: 23K\n#MICH: 26K\n#MO: 34K\n#NC: 44K\n#OH: 50K\n#PA: 60K\n#TX: 114K\n#VA: 136K\n#WV: 15K\n#WISC: 15K\n(OPM)\u201d— West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus) (@West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus)) 1535648428
Suddenly expressing deep concern for "fiscal sustainability" just months after signing a tax bill that is expected to add $1.9 trillion to the national debt over the next ten years, President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that he is canceling pay raises for nearly 1.8 million federal workers because he claims "federal agency budgets cannot sustain such increases."
"What an insulting way to mark Labor Day."
--Rep. Barbara LeeThe president's abrupt move--which comes less than a week after a federal court struck down his attempt to undermine federal workers' right to bargain collectively--was met with widespread condemnation by progressive lawmakers and labor activists, who argued that the $25 billion Trump claimed the pay raises would cost is a drop in the bucket compared to the GOP's enormous gifts to the rich.
\u201cTrump is scrapping federal employees\u2019 scheduled pay raises, which would have cost $25 billion. \n\nTrump\u2019s tax cuts cost $190 billion annually.\u201d— Eric Umansky (@Eric Umansky) 1535659005
"President Trump pushed through a tax scam that gave unprecedented handouts to billionaires and corporations--but believes it's too expensive to pay hardworking federal workers a reasonable wage," wrote Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.). "What an insulting way to mark Labor Day."
Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) similarly ripped the president's decision to cancel planned pay raises after handing billionaires huge tax breaks as a "slap in the face" to workers.
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)--which filed the lawsuit that defeated Trump's anti-union directive last week--noted in a statement that the president's move completely ignores the fact that federal workers "are worse off today financially than they were at the start of the decade. Federal employees have had their pay and benefits cut by over $200 billion since 2011, and they are earning nearly five percent less today than they did at the start of the decade."
\u201cWe stand with ALL federal workers. Their hard work should not be taken for granted! This is absolutely repulsive. #1u @AFGENational\u201d— California Labor Federation (@California Labor Federation) 1535658032
Trump's decision to cancel the modest 2.1 percent pay raises that were set to go into effect in 2019 comes as wages for most workers are either completely stagnant or declining. Meanwhile, corporate profits are soaring to record levels, the stock market is booming, and CEO pay remains sky-high.
\u201cTrump\u2019s Spending Priorities:\n\n\u2705 Trips to Mar-a-Lago\n\n\u2705 Golf outings every week\n\n\u2705 Guns for Teachers\n\n\u2705 $1.5 trillion F-35 fighter jet\n\n\u2705 Giant military spending increase\n\n\u274c Paying federal workers\u201d— jordan (@jordan) 1535652248
\u201cHow many corporate CEOs will get a fatter bonus check because of the #GOPTaxScam?\u201d— People for Bernie (@People for Bernie) 1535655517
According to West Wing Reports, 80 percent of the workers affected by the pay freeze live outside of Washington, D.C., and many live in red and swing states:
\u201cApproximate number of civilian govt. workers/voters in the following states will not get raises in 2019, because of @realDonaldTrump's decision today: \n#FL: 79K\n#GA: 72K\n#IA: 9K \n#KY: 23K\n#MICH: 26K\n#MO: 34K\n#NC: 44K\n#OH: 50K\n#PA: 60K\n#TX: 114K\n#VA: 136K\n#WV: 15K\n#WISC: 15K\n(OPM)\u201d— West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus) (@West Wing Reports (by Paul Brandus)) 1535648428