Earlier this week, Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and John McCain (R-AZ) 

proposed an amendment to a spending bill that would require freezing raises,

bonuses and salary increases for federal employees in 2011, saving taxpayers

$2.6 billion. 

In February, President Obama proposed in his fiscal year a 1.4-percent

2011 federal pay

raise.

While in a Senate vote on Thursday the measure was defeated by a 53-45 tally,

a similar attempt may be made in the House in the next few days to enact a pay

freeze for federal employees --  possibly through procedural maneuvers

-- as part of the 2011 Defense Authorization Bill.

Employee groups have been quick to oppose a 2011 federal employee pay freeze.

"A move to prohibit any federal pay raise next year would adversely affect

all federal employees," said Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National

Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). in a letter to House members on Thursday. 

"There is no need to freeze pay for frontline employees, especially when many

are suffering in this recession with spouses and other family members

unemployed."

Margaret L. Baptiste, president of the National Active and Retired Federal

Employees Association (NARFE) said,  "civil service pay and benefits have

been a perennial target of budgeteers, and 'bureaucrats' have long been an easy

'whipping boy' for voters. If we are to make wise choices about putting our

fiscal house in order, members of Congress and the public need to be educated

about the invaluable contributions made to our country by Americans who devote

their careers to public service."