Issues
Deficit Reduction Automatic Pay Raises for Congress
I have
called for an end to the current congressional pay raise system,
which automatically raises congressional pay with little public
accountability. Under current law, members of the House and
Senate receive an automatic pay raise unless Congress acts
to stop it. For the last three Congresses, I have introduced
legislation to end this automatic "cost-of-living adjustment"
for Members of Congress.
Most recently, on October 18, 2005 I was pleased to join Republican
Senator Jon Kyl in offering an amendment to the Treasury Transportation
Appropriations bill to stop the congressional pay raise that
went into effect in January of 2006. While we were successful
in passing our amendment, the provision was opposed by House
Leadership and removed from the final version of that measure.
The automatic pay raise for members of Congress is inappropriate.
As every working American knows, it is an unusual thing to
have the power to raise your own pay. Few people have that
ability. Congress should exercise that power openly,
subject to regular procedures that include debate, amendment,
and a vote on the record.
In my own case, throughout my 6-year term, I accept only the
rate of pay that Senators received on the date on which I
was sworn in as a Senator. I return to the Treasury any additional
income Senators get, whether from a cost-of-living adjustment
or a pay raise we vote for ourselves. I don't take a
raise until my bosses, the people of Wisconsin, give me one
at the ballot box.
Enforcing
Budget Discipline
Ending
Automatic Pay Raise for Members of Congress
Reducing
the Number of Political Appointees
Reducing
Irrigation Subsidies to Large Agribusinesses
Military
Base Closings
Related: Environment
- Environmental Protection Through Deficit Reduction
Related: Seniors
- Protecting Social Security
Related: National
Security - Defense Spending
Related: Government
Reform
Deficit
Reducation Main
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