CONCORD, NC - Congressman Larry Kissell (NC-08) has called on the leadership of the U.S. House to act immediately to cut Congressional pay. Kissell has urged the House to immediately consider and pass H.R. 4720, the Taking Responsibility for Congressional Pay Act.

"We must restore fiscal discipline and common sense to Washington," said Kissell. "This cut in Congressional pay will save taxpayers approximately $4.7 million dollars next year, alone. I again call on House leadership to move this important piece of bipartisan legislation forward immediately."

The bill, cosponsored by Kissell, would reduce salaries for Senators and Representatives starting in January, and will permanently block any and all automatic pay increases for members of Congress. Passage of the bill would mark the first time since 1933 that Congress will have taken a pay cut.

During his first week in office, Kissell successfully cosponsored bipartisan legislation to eliminate an automatic Congressional pay raise. He also wrote a check to the U.S. Treasury in the amount of an increase enacted before he took office, returning the money directly to American taxpayers.

"It is wrong for Congress to get a pay increase when people at home are struggling just to find work," Kissell said.