Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act

Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to a cost-of-living increase for Members of Congress. We are currently faced with difficult economic times and an expanding federal deficit. Our economy is in a recession, unemployment figures are on the rise, home values are falling, and our national debt exceeds $10 trillion. Congress must not insulate itself from the crises at hand and I believe it is past time for Congress to be responsible. The most immediate action we can take is to cancel the automatic pay increase system currently in place for Members of Congress.

To address this issue, I recently cosponsored H.R. 156 in this 111th Congress, legislation that would prevent Members from receiving an automatic cost of living adjustment in the future. The 27th Amendment to the Constitution restricts the current Congress from altering its pay for 2009. I am disappointed that H.R. 156 was not brought to the House floor for a vote to address this important issue. Rather, this issue was lumped into a controversial 1100-plus page omnibus bill for political purposes. By not allowing an independent yes-or-no vote on this provision, we simply reinforce the impression that many important legislative measures are structured to be political gamesmanship. If Congress is to vote itself a pay raise, it should be done in sunlight in the full view of the American public, not through a quiet procedural motion hidden in the shadows. The people of Virginia deserve accountability and transparency from their elected officials.

I oppose the automatic cost-of-living increase for Members of Congress. Each of us should be on the record with our constituents as to whether we believe an increase to our own salaries is justified. In this time of increased economic hardship, I am going on the record in firm opposition to this pay increase. Since I was not allowed to vote yes or no, this forum has become my only recourse. Until the procedural barriers are removed, we will not have the transparent process that Americans deserve from their government. I will continue to fight for fiscal responsibility at all levels of government spending.

Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank Speaker Pelosi for agreeing to bloc the next scheduled congressional pay raise.

As government acts to cap executive compensation, and as millions of Americans watch their incomes shrink, a pay raise for Members of Congress would have seemed glaringly out of touch.

If we are going to talk the talk of fiscal discipline, we must also walk the walk of self-restraint. The American people are not getting a raise this year. Neither should Congress.

I also wish to thank Dr. Ron Paul and 107 of our colleagues-- Republicans and Democrats--who were willing to support H.R. 156, the Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act. Without the leadership of these Members--so many of them new Members--we may not have taken this important step.

I rise today to thank Speaker Pelosi for agreeing to block the next congressional pay raise. As government acts to cap executive compensation and as millions of Americans watch their incomes shrink, a pay raise for Members of Congress would seem glaringly out of touch. If we are going to talk the talk of fiscal discipline, we must also walk the walk of self-restraint. The American people are not getting a pay raise this year, and neither should Congress.

I also wish to thank Dr. Ron Paul and 107 of our colleagues, Republicans and Democrats, who are willing to support H.R. 156, the Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act. Without the leadership of these Members, so many of them new Members, we may not have taken this important step.