FLAGSTAFF, AZ – Representative Ann Kirkpatrick today responded to renewed calls from taxpayer advocates for Members of Congress to slash their own salaries and share in the economic downturn with the American people. In March, Rep. Kirkpatrick introduced the Taking Responsibility for Congressional Pay Act to make those cuts for the first time since the Great Depression. Since then she has been putting her money where her mouth is and sending $870 of her own paycheck each month to help pay down the national debt.

The Congresswoman’s statement was as follows:

“Folks are ready for Congress to lead by example and put an end to the free spending culture in Washington. Both parties have made too many irresponsible fiscal decisions for the federal government to think it can continue with business as usual. If Members of Congress want to truly represent their constituents, they have to show they can be trusted to make the tough choices needed to restore fiscal discipline and turn our economy around. They must start by cutting their own pay.

“I applaud the continuing work of taxpayer groups to ensure this issue is not forgotten. Reducing the salaries of Senators and Representatives is not about scoring political points – it is about showing the people we get it and putting us back on the right course. It is not a silver bullet, but it is a necessary first step. I have been sending five percent of my own salary back to the taxpayers for months because I am convinced that Congress has not been doing enough, and we need to take decisive action right now.

“Serving the people of Greater Arizona is and always will be my first priority. I have already called on House leadership to hold a vote on my bill to cut Member pay before the 111th Congress adjourns in January. If they do not, then I hope that the next Congress will. The stakes are simply too high for Washington politicians to keep ducking their responsibility to lead by example.”

Background

Rep. Kirkpatrick has been fighting for the Taking Responsibility for Congressional Pay Act for months as part of her work to get government spending under control. The effort has earned overwhelming support across the country, with a recent independent poll showing that 75% of Americans want Members to cut their own pay until the budget is balanced.

But despite the public’s backing, Democratic leadership has refused to even give the bill a hearing – let alone schedule a vote.  Rep. Kirkpatrick sees the legislation as the right thing to do for taxpayers who are taking pay cuts themselves and argues that it is a necessary first step to getting our fiscal house in order.

In addition to the poll, the Congresswoman has heard from hundreds of folks across the country urging her to push through the pay cut bill, and the legislation has been endorsed by the National Taxpayers Union and The Senior Citizens League. Rep. Kirkpatrick has also brought on new co-sponsors as the public has made its views known – despite the lack of leadership support she now has 34, more than for any previous pay cut measure.