Dem lawmaker pushes for Congress's first pay cut since the Great Depression

[babylonsister]

Dem lawmaker pushes for Congress's first pay cut since the Great Depression
By Jordy Yager - 03/08/10 12:04 AM ET


Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) is raising the bar on freezing lawmaker salaries this week as she continues her push to garner support for her bill that would cut congressional pay by $8,700 next year on top of denying members their automatic cost-of-living increase.

With Congress’s approval ratings spiraling downward, criticism of government bailouts running rampant and unemployment hovering at 10 percent, a cost-of-living pay increase for lawmakers has become largely unpopular, with many members proposing to follow what they did this year and freeze their own pay again in 2011.

But Kirkpatrick wants to take it a step further and has put forward a measure that would not only halt the automatic pay increase that members get according to law, but also cut their pay by 5 percent next year, which would amount to more than $4.7 million in overall savings to taxpayers.

“Families across the country are getting by on lower wages and finding ways to cut back during the downturn, and these are the folks that pay our salaries,” said Kirkpatrick in a statement.

“The federal government’s budget is in much worse shape, so why shouldn’t senators and representatives have to feel the same pinch?”

more...

http://thehill.com/homenews/house/85383-dem-lawmaker-pushes-for-congresss-first-pay-cut-since-the-great-depression

[dkf]

1. How's about throwing th onto the private individual policy market?

[hughee99]

2. Good for her, but this will get nowhere. n/t

[Donnachaidh]

3. CHOP from the TOP.

So when is the White House going to cut the pay of all those overpriced assistants?

[DisgustedInMN]

4. Yeah...

... like that's gonna happen. But good on her for trying.

[duhneece]

5. My NM Rep has done the same

Harry Teague Calls for Congressional Pay Cut
New Legislation Would Be First Salary Reduction for Members in 77 Years

Washington, DC – Tuesday, Congressman Harry Teague continued his fight against Congressional pay raises by becoming a sponsor of the Taking Responsibility for Congressional Pay Act. In an effort to reduce federal spending and grow the nation’s economy, the new legislation would cut pay for all Senators and Representatives by five percent beginning January 1, 2011.

“In these tough economic times, it just doesn’t make sense for Congress to give itself a pay raise. Many of my constituents in southern New Mexico are finding ways to cut back and Congress needs to do the same,” said Harry Teague. “The very first bill I ever sponsored as a Congressman was a bill to eliminate the automatic pay raise for Members of Congress. It was the just the right thing to do. This new Congressional pay-cut bill is also the right thing to do, and it will effectively cut federal spending without impacting important programs.”


In addition to the Congressional pay-cut, the bill would also block any automatic increase in congressional salaries for next year. If passed, this legislation would be the first salary reduction for Members of Congress since 1933.

Congressman Teague has continually opposed Congressional pay raises since first taking office in January 2009. He is an original co-sponsor of a measure to block federal lawmakers from receiving automatic pay increases for the 2011 fiscal year and joined more than 100 co-sponsors on H.R. 156, which blocked the automatic pay increase for FY2010. The measure was eventually adopted by Congressional leaders and the 2010 pay raise was eliminated.
http://teague.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=466&Itemid=72

[Lurks Often]

6. Agreed, good for her.

Not that I think it will ever pass.

Congressional pay raises should be tied to how much we are over or under budget. Meaning if we are spending more then 10% over what we take in, Congress takes a 10% pay cut, if we run a surplus, then Congress gets a raise.

Of course I know that is just wishful thinking.............

[classysassy]

7. Cut out congressional retirement

most of the crooks have stole enough money while in congress to live the good life in their retirement.Most of the former congressmen get well paying jobs as lobbyist to continue their greed.

[nykym]

8. If you think about it

it is the only fair thing to do. Everyone is up in arms over financial institutions and their bonuses. So if it is a pay for what you produce it is only fair they get less since they really haven't done a whole heck of a lot. It might also give the repugs some motivation to join in and do some bipartisan work or we could just keep cutting their pay for poor performance.