FAIR Act

House Bill

H.R. 493

119th Congress

FAIR Act

ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be conside

Introduced:Feb 18, 2025

Primary Sponsor

Gerald Connolly

D - VA

Cosponsors

36

Quick Stats

Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Summary

This bill provides federal employees a 3.3 percent base pay increase plus an additional 1 percent locality pay increase for 2026. The raise applies to workers under statutory pay systems and prevailing rate (blue collar) employees.

Latest Action

ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 493, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.

AI Summary

Plain-English explanation of this bill

This bill provides federal employees a 3.3 percent base pay increase plus an additional 1 percent locality pay increase for 2026. The raise applies to workers under statutory pay systems and prevailing rate (blue collar) employees.

Last updated: 1/5/2026

Official Summary

Congressional Research Service summary

Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act or the FAIR ActThis bill modifies pay rates for federal employees in 2026. Specifically, the bill increases rates under the statutory pay systems and for prevailing rate employees by 3.3% and increases locality pay by 1%.

Key Points

Main provisions of the bill

Increases federal employee pay by 3.3 percent in 2026
Adds 1 percent locality pay increase
Covers statutory pay system employees
Includes prevailing rate workers
Total 4.3 percent compensation increase

How This Impacts Americans

Potential effects on citizens and communities

Federal workers would receive a meaningful pay raise to help with cost of living increases. The combined 4.3 percent increase would help the government compete with private sector employers for talent.

Policy Areas

Primary Policy Area

Government Operations and Politics

Related Subjects

Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Scope & Jurisdiction

Jurisdiction Level

federal

Congressional Session

119th Congress

Citation Reference

493, 119th Congress (2025). "FAIR Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-493