Federal pay has not kept pace with inflation, and retention of feds is at a severe risk. The Federal Salary Council recently reported that federal workers earned nearly 25 percent less than private sector counterparts, a growing disparity that will only force more of the best and brightest out of federal service. FMA urges Congress to provide for a fair and reasonable pay raise that reflects the needs of the workforce for 2026. Toward that end, FMA strongly supports the Federal Adjustment to Income Rates (FAIR) Act (H.R. 493 / S. 126) which would provide an 4.3 percent pay raise in 2026. Please urge your member of Congress to support the FAIR Act this year.