The federal government’s civilian employees have worked under a salary freeze for about two years, but their incomes will begin to rise after March 27 unless Congress acts to once again halt their salary increases.

Lawmakers are expected to take up the matter in coming months as they address the debt limit and the automatic spending cuts delayed under a “fiscal cliff” deal that President Barack Obama signed Wednesday.

Obama, who imposed the freeze in 2010 to curtail federal spending, issued an executive order last month to implement a 0.5 percent across-the-board increase for lawmakers and federal employees after the last short-term spending plan expires March 27.

Congress could try to override the executive order with legislation extending the freeze, but Obama would have to sign the measure. He has indicated for months that he wants the 0.5 percent hike, which is less than the increase lawmakers have generally allowed for federal workers.

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