Despite the sequester—huge cutbacks in federal spending that were mandated by law in March—some high-level Federal executives are scheduled to get millions of dollars in bonuses, unless there's a law to stop them.
According to a report released Friday by the Senate Subcommittee on Financial and Contracting Oversight, the bonuses must be paid under current Congressional regulations, even with some $85 billion in government funding cuts in effect.
Senator Claire McCaskill, (D-Mo) chairperson of the subcommittee, has introduced legislation to prevent the bonuses from being handed out during the sequester. Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and Ron Johnson (R-WIS) are co-sponsors of the legislation.
""The idea that some of the highest paid federal government employees could be getting bonuses while others are being furloughed is outrageous," said McCaskill, on her web site. "This legislation will ensure that doesn't happen."
The bonuses would go to Senior Executive Service employees who meet certain performance criteria. The group makes up less than one percent of the federal workforce.
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The SES was created in 1978 as part of a civil service reform act and is made up of executives who serve in positions just below presidential appointees.They oversee nearly 75 federal agencies.