January 31, 2007

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Earlier today Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand voted to pass a continuing resolution (HJ Res 20) that will block an automatic Congressional pay raise.  Automatic pay raises for Members of Congress have been commonplace in Washington D.C. for many years.  Prior to her election Congresswoman Gillibrand pledged to vote against such raises and to refuse to accept the salary increase until the federal government increased the minimum wage and balanced the budget.

Gillibrand stated today, "Last year, I made a commitment to the voters that I would not support a Congressional pay raise.   I have stuck by that promise and will continue to be accountable to all taxpayers."

This joint resolution also seeks to continue Congresswoman Gillibrand’s commitment to fiscal responsibility by eliminating all earmarks until a new, reformed process for incorporating earmarks is in place.  Past Congressional leaders allowed the practice to be abused, enabling earmarks to multiply from 2,143 worth $13.2 billion in Fiscal Year 1998, to 9,963 worth $29 billion in Fiscal Year 2006 (FY2006).  Congresswoman Gillibrand, a fiscal conservative, wants to send a clear message that these abuses will no longer be tolerated.  Earmarks can provide valuable funding to local communities, but it is critical that the process is transparent and that Members are held accountable.

The Fiscal Year 2008 budget and appropriations process, which is set to begin next week, will represent a new beginning for priority spending – one where worthwhile requests will be considered under the transparent, responsible process outlined in the ethics and fiscal responsibility package that passed the House as Rep. Gillibrand’s first order of business.

The measure generally funds the government at the FY 2006 level (adjusted for increased costs).   It provides additional funding for critical priorities,  including meeting new needs in Veterans Healthcare and Defense Health programs; making significant investments in early childhood education; increasing Pell grants; increasing funding for scientific and medical research; and increasing funding for the Labor, Health and Education bill to keep up with inflation.  Despite meeting additional needs, this measure does not spend any more than the Republicans proposed budget last year.

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