On the Issues: Federal Pay & Benefits

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Hillary Clinton

Statements on Federal Pay

Clinton won the endorsement of the AFGE, with J. David Cox saying she “shares AFGE’s vision for a strong and vibrant government workforce.”

Statements on Federal Benefits

Clinton supports expanded paid parental leave for federal employees and co-sponsored a bill as a Senator to make all same-sex domestic partners of feds eligible for government benefits. In 2008, she also sponsored a bill in the Senate to expand benefits for members of the Air Force and veterans.

I also want to make the federal government a model workplace by providing paid parental leave. For a relatively modest cost, we can provide that to all federal employees. 2007 campaign stop

Bernie Sanders

Statements on Federal Pay

Sanders has consistently supported raising federal pay, most recently working with the Obama administration for a push to raise federal contractors’ minimum wage to $10.10. Sanders has also been active in demonstrations by federal unions like AFGE for higher pay raises and has voted continually for federal employees to receive back pay after federal shutdowns.

Statements on Federal Benefits

Sanders has supported expanded benefits for feds during his time in the Senate. He was against proposals to lower the inflation calculation for cost-of-living changes for federal retirees’ annuities. Sanders also has backed laws to allow retirees to take tax deductions on their Federal Employees Health Benefits Program plans.

The government of a democratic society has a moral responsibility to play a vital role in making sure all of our people have a decent standard of living. Democratic Candidates Debate, Feb. 11, 2016

Jeb Bush

Statements on Federal Pay

The former Florida governor would end automatic annual across-the-board pay raises for federal employees and institute a merit-based pay system. He would also award bonuses to managers who identify ways to save money and “shrink government.”

Statements on Federal Benefits

Bush’s “Service First” plan for civil service reform as governor of Florida made managers at-will employees and downsized the workforce, but it did call for some perks for remaining state workers. Bush pitched giving employees the option of cash payouts for up to three days of unused annual leave. He also proposed setting aside $40 million for pay-for-performance bonuses, which would have been determined in part by peer — rather than managerial — reviews.

Just like in the real world, compensation should depend on the type of work, and
the quality of the work. July speech at Florida State University in Tallahassee

Ben Carson

Statements on Federal Pay

The retired neurosurgeon does not have specific plans on pay, but has made numerous references to highly compensated bureaucrats. His government reform plan promises to “establish a governmentwide culture that holds managers and employees accountable for their success or failure in meeting performance objectives -- with real consequences in either case.” This could take the form of pay for performance.

Statements on Federal Benefits

Carson has not announced plans to change federal employee benefits.

For the well-paid and elitist bureaucrats in Washington, there is no need for check cashing stores that provide short-term loans between paychecks. That’s because they are already too well paid for such services. Washington Times op-ed arguing against excessive government regulation of payday lenders

Ted Cruz

Statements on Federal Pay

A November analysis by Government Executive found his proposals would eliminate over 150,000 federal jobs. In a November column for National Review, Cruz criticized federal raises and called for a pay-for-performance type system for feds.

Statements on Federal Benefits

Cruz called Defense civilian employees “plush-bottomed bureaucrats” in a February speech. Cruz supported giving National Guard members and reservists hiring preference for federal jobs in 2014. In a November debate, Cruz compared federal regulators to locusts descending on private industry.

Rather than automatically increasing federal workers’ pay annually, workers will have more opportunities for merit-based pay increases. National Review op-ed

John Kasich

Statements on Federal Pay

Kasich has not commented publicly on federal pay outright, but has not supported federal public sector unions while governor of Ohio. A Kasich-backed bill passed in 2011 that outlawed public-sector union strikes, banned binding arbitration and gave local Ohio governments more control over public employee salaries. In 2011, he told a radio show “Two million federal workers negotiate zippo, zero.”

Statements on Federal Benefits

Kasich has criticized Ohio state employee health benefit plans in 2011 against private sector plans. He criticized Sanders’ and Clinton’s proposals for family leave in January, saying maternity leave makes women “fall behind on the experience level, which means that the pay becomes a differential.”

There is no collective bargaining for federal employees. Radio interview on April 26, 2011

Marco Rubio

Statements on Federal Pay

Rubio has promised increased federal employee accountability and says he would fire those who don’t do their jobs properly.

Statements on Federal Benefits

The Florida senator proposed opening the Thrift Savings Plan to all Americans without employer-sponsored retirement programs. The Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board, which administers the TSP, was not a fan of the idea, saying it would greatly dilute the agency’s focus on its current federal employee and retiree participants. Earlier in his Senate career, Rubio took a shot at feds’ health benefits, calling it “immoral” that the “bureaucrats” at VA have more options for their health care than the veterans they serve. He sought to protect health benefits in 2012 for military personnel, however, proposing to ensure certain TRICARE fee increases would not exceed the percentage increase of military retirement pay.

The twisted irony is that members of Congress – who are employees of the citizens of the United States – have access to a superior savings plan, while many of their employers – the American people – are often left with access to no plan at all. Senate press release

Donald Trump

Statements on Federal Pay

Trump has announced plans to hold federal employees more accountable for their job performance, improve government efficiency and reduce bureaucracy (though he would hire more people in the area of border security). He has not specifically addressed how he would handle pay for federal employees.

Statements on Federal Benefits

Trump has not been specific about how or if he would change federal employee benefits.

The 2016 presidential campaign is in full swing, with more than a dozen contenders expressing how they would manage the civil service and federal agencies. Our series examines what each contender has said about the size, function and management of the federal government during the campaign.