Trump Administration Omits Federal Civilian Pay Raise in 2027 Budget Proposal, Prioritizes Defense Spending
The Trump administration's fiscal year 2027 budget proposal does not include a pay raise for federal civilian employees, continuing a trend from previous years. Instead, the proposal focuses on a significant increase in defense spending, with a request for $1.5 trillion for the Department of Defense, marking a $445 billion increase from current levels. The budget also proposes a five to seven percent pay raise for military personnel, with the highest increases for the lowest-ranked members. This decision has drawn criticism from Democrats, who argue that the budget neglects essential services and fails to invest in the federal workforce. The proposal serves as a starting point for negotiations with Congress, which will ultimately decide on federal pay levels and spending.