Politics | federal employees House Votes to Freeze Congress, Federal Pay Bill expected to die in Senate By Rob Quinn Posted Feb 2, 2012 4:15 AM CST Copied House Speaker John Boehner speaks to the media about the federal employee pay freeze. (Getty Images) House lawmakers have voted in favor of a pay freeze for themselves and millions of other people whose paychecks come from Uncle Sam. The House voted 309-117 in favor of extending President Obama's 2-year pay freeze for federal employees, reports the Washington Post. Obama has called for an 0.5% cost-of-living increase for federal workers, and the Senate is expected to reject the House's measure. Democrats accused House Republicans of playing election-year politics by combining a pay freeze for members of Congress with one for federal workers, calling the bill a "disingenuous and disrespectful attack against federal workers," Reuters reports. Republicans argued that most federal employees eligible for within-grade step increases received them in 2011, receiving an average $1,303 pay bump as a result. Read These Next Murdered couple died "protecting their little girls." Delta pilot arrested moments after landing plane. Gunman kills police officer at Manhattan skyscraper. Manhattan shooter's note reportedly referenced CTE. Report an error