U.S. federal wildland firefighters are facing a huge potential pay cut this autumn that lawmakers in Washington warn could cause thousands to walk off the job, due to a feud among Republicans in Congress over federal spending.
"We're going to have these people out fighting wildfires for us in this country. And their pay could be cut by 50%," said Representative Mike Simpson, an Idaho Republican who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies.
At issue is a $60 million supplemental funding request from Democratic President Joe Biden, which would protect federal wildland firefighter pay through December, if Congress can avoid aBiden raised wildland firefighter pay to a minimum of $15 per hour in 2021 and later signed into law a $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, which provided annual pay raises of $20,000 or 50% of a firefighter's base pay, whichever was smaller.
"People are going to be looking for outside opportunities to have a livable and plannable income," Mayfield said.But it is unclear whether the Republican-controlled House of Representatives can overcome infighting between hardline and centrist Republicans to enact spending legislation on time. "Failure isn't an option," said Representative Joe Neguse, a Colorado Democrat who is working to address the pay gap with a bipartisan coalition of House and Senate lawmakers.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
| 7 ways MAGA Republicans differ from other RepublicansA deep dive on the two sides of the GOP.
Read more »
Meet Republican Drew Murray, an ex-Democrat running for Philly City CouncilDrew Murray is running for a Philadelphia City Council at-large seat. He is a Center City civic leader who became a Republican in 2018.
Read more »
Republicans and Democrats join forces to get fruits and vegetables to low-income familiesTwo lawmakers from Texas work together want to make changes to a federal initiative in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, commonly known...
Read more »
What to watch for in the first Republican debateAt least seven candidates have qualified for the first GOP presidential debate. Here’s what’s at stake for each candidate.
Read more »