House to cover pay gaps for reservist workers

House to cover pay gaps for reservist workers

By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Friday Sep 12, 2008 10:16:51 EDT

The House of Representatives moved Thursday to do something for its reservists that the rest of the federal government does not: make up any difference between civilian and military pay when House employees who are in a reserve component are involuntarily mobilized for 30 days or longer.

The bill passed by voice vote.

The Bush administration has long encouraged private-sector employers to make up any difference in wages for reservist employees called to duty if their military pay is less than their civilian salary. But the administration has opposed attempts by Congress to get the federal government to do the same, arguing it would hurt morale to have full-time active-duty members receive less money from the government than National Guard or Reserve members who are federal workers.
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