Summary: GAO commented on a bill to provide that: (1) the authority of the President to submit any alternative plan for pay comparability adjustments be available only if general wage guidelines or controls are in effect; and (2) the overall percentage of any pay adjustment proposed under any such alternative plan be not less than the pay adjustment generally permitted under the general wage guidelines and controls or, if various pay adjustments are permitted, the median of such adjustments. GAO supports the intent of the bill. Present legislation allows the President to propose an alternative plan if he believes that the comparability adjustment is not warranted because of national emergency or economic conditions affecting the general welfare. GAO believes that it was Congress' intention that alternative plans were to be used only as a safety valve in extraordinary circumstances, not with the frequency of use they have had since 1970. GAO recommended a requirement for the President to demonstrate how the plan contributes to remedying the national emergency or severe economic conditions and ensure that federal employees are treated consistently with private sector employees.
