WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Sam Graves released the following statement in response to President Obama’s announcement of a two-year civilian federal pay freeze:

“I am encouraged by the Administration’s decision to freeze non-military federal pay for at least two years.  This is only a first step, but it is a significant one in the right direction,” Graves said.  “While employees in the private sector have been losing their jobs or watched their wages stagnate, federal employees have enjoyed annual pay increases.  While this freeze only deals with the tip of the deficit iceberg, it will result in real savings for American taxpayers.”

“However, much more needs to be done to address our ballooning national debt,” Graves added.  “Earlier this year, I introduced legislation to put a hiring freeze in place for the federal government.  Federal spending has long been out of control and Washington must tighten its belt to get our fiscal house in order.  I sincerely hope today’s announcement is a sign the President is committed to making the hard decisions necessary to rein in the over-sized bureaucracy in Washington.  I will continue to offer solutions that limit the cost and size of the federal government, and I look forward to working with the President and all of my colleagues in the House and Senate on this issue.”

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