1. United States
2. Mo.
3. Letter

I am writing to express strong opposition to the President’s fiscal year 2027 budget proposal, particularly the plan to freeze pay for civilian federal employees. Recent reporting indicates that the administration intends to hold civilian pay flat in 2027 while simultaneously proposing pay increases of approximately 5 to 7 percent for military personnel. This disparity raises serious concerns about fairness, workforce stability, and the long term effectiveness of the federal government. Federal civilian employees perform essential functions that directly support the public, from administering Social Security benefits to ensuring national security and maintaining critical infrastructure. A pay freeze, especially in the context of rising living costs, amounts to a real reduction in wages and undermines morale, recruitment, and retention across agencies. Moreover, the House Appropriations Committee has already rejected efforts to include a pay raise for civilian workers and restore workplace protections, effectively advancing this policy without meaningful bipartisan consideration. This approach signals a troubling disregard for the federal workforce and the services they provide to the American people. Freezing civilian pay while increasing defense spending and military compensation sends a message that certain forms of public service are valued less than others. A functioning government depends on a balanced, respected, and adequately compensated workforce across all sectors, not just one. I urge you to oppose any appropriations legislation that enforces a civilian pay freeze and instead support a fair, across the board pay adjustment that reflects both inflation and the critical role federal employees play in serving the nation. Thank you for your attention to this matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing leadership that supports the full federal workforce.