Two vulnerable House Republicans from Virginia are fighting back against President Donald Trump's decision to cancel a pay raise for federal employees.
Reps. Barbara Comstock and Scott Taylor, already facing tough re-election battles in November, released statements denouncing Trump's decision. Tens of thousands of federal employees live in their state.
"I strongly oppose eliminating the pay raise for civilian federal employees and will work with my colleagues to have the pay raise included in our appropriations," Comstock said in a statement.
"We cannot balance the budget on the backs of our federal employees and I will work with my House and Senate colleagues to keep the pay increase in our appropriations measures that we vote on in September."
Taylor called Trump's decision "completely unnecessary and a disappointment" in his statement.
"I oppose this decision and will lead an effort to reverse its effect," Taylor wrote.
Further, Trump's announcement heading into the Labor Day holiday weekend adds another layer of trouble for the pair.
"I think it could matter," a GOP operative told the Washington Examiner. "But Comstock and Taylor are on the right side of this issue."
Comstock's race against Democratic challenger Jennifer Wexton is rated Lean Democratic by two analysts and tilt Democratic by a third.
Taylor owns a Lean Republican from two analysts and a "toss-up" from another.
Comstock and Taylor are the only two vulnerable incumbents among the seven House GOP lawmakers from Virginia.
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