HOUSE APPROVES BILL HALTING COLA FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
 

Washington, Apr 28, 2010 -

“American families must get by with less and a pay increase for members of Congress is unacceptable,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth).  “The leadership in Congress is spending, borrowing, and taxing more than ever before, and it is clear that Congress does not deserve a cost of living adjustment (COLA).Fiscal discipline should start with us.”   Stearns consistently has opposed pay increases for Members of Congress and has offered legislation, H.R. 201, the Deficit Accountability Act, to stop any automatic pay adjustment for Members of Congress in the year following a fiscal year with a federal budget deficit.

Stearns joined in approving H.R. 5146, legislation eliminating the automatic COLA for Members of Congress.  Under a law enacted in 1989, Members receive an automatic pay increase each year unless Congress takes action to stop it.