Most Voters Favor Cutting the Federal Payroll
President Obama proposed today a freeze on the salaries of federal employees for the next two years as an effort to help rein in the growing federal budget deficit. Recent Rasmussen surveys suggest that voters think that's a good idea.
Just last week, two-thirds (66%) of Likely Voters nationwide favored a proposal to cut the federal payroll by 10% over the coming decade. Just 22% were opposed, and 12% were not sure. It is important to note that the survey question proposed reductions of one percent (1%) annually for 10 years and could largely be met by attrition rather than laying off large numbers of workers.
The federal government currently employs approximately 2.1 million people, including 1.4 million civilian employees. During 2010, the number of federal employees grew to the highest level ever, and the president had been requesting a 1.4% pay raise for the federal workforce in 2011.
Republicans (79%) and unaffiliated voters (74%) overwhelming favor a plan to cut the federal payroll by 10% over the next 10 years. Democrats are less enthusiastic: 48% of those in President Obama’s party favor the concept, while 39% are opposed.
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