Federal workers facing pay freeze

President Obama on Monday recommended a two-year pay freeze for federal workers, saying the move would help reduce federal spending.

“This would save $2 billion over the rest of this fiscal year and $28 billion in cumulative savings over the next five years,” President Obama said. “And I want to be clear: This freeze does not apply to the men and women of our Armed Forces, who along with their families continue to bear enormous burdens with our nation at war.

“This is not just a line item on a federal ledger. These are people’s lives,” Obama added. “They’re doctors and nurses who care for our veterans; scientists who search for better treatments and cures; men and women who care for our national parks and secure our borders and our skies; Americans who see that the Social Security checks get out on time, who make sure that scholarships comes through, who devote themselves to our safety. They’re patriots who love their country and often make many sacrifices to serve their country.”

However, some suggested that while the move is a good start, more action is needed to reduce federal spending.

“The last few years have been like one endless Thanksgiving dinner, with Washington loosening its belt and showing an insatiable appetite for spending,” U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., said in a statement. “Now $1.3 trillion annual deficits are giving taxpayers a gut-wrenching stomachache. The list of spending cuts needed to get the federal budget down to size stretches for miles. Freezing federal pay is on that list, but it is only one item of many. Much, much more remains on the cutting board.

“Hopefully this announcement marks the beginning of a long-overdue commitment from Democrats to reduce spending,” Price added.