Posted on 12/08/2006 8:22:47 AM PST by Non-Sequitur
WASHINGTON (AP) - Members of Congress are in line for a $3,300 pay raise effective Jan. 1 unless they block it, and Democrats said Thursday they intend to try.
Officials said Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California and Sen. Harry Reid of Nevada, the party's leaders, had notified Republicans they will try to add the anti-pay-raise provision to a bill that provides funds for most government agencies through Feb. 15.
Congress must pass the funding bill before it adjourns for the year, and the target for that is Friday.
Democrats won control of Congress in last month's elections after a campaign in which they frequently criticized majority Republicans for taking pay raises while blocking numerous attempts to raise the minimum wage.
"It is unconscionable that members of congress would get yet another pay raise while the minimum wage has been stuck at $5.15 an hour for the last 10 years. Senator Reid intends to do all he can to ensure that Congress won't get a raise until working families do," said his spokesman, Jim Manley.
Democrats have made legislation to increase the minimum wage one of their priorities for the new Congress that convenes in January.
Under federal law, lawmakers, like many federal employees, receive a cost of living increase on each Jan. 1. The increase for 2007 is pegged at 2 percent, and would put the salary for rank-and-file lawmakers at $168,500.
The maneuvering is often intense around the politically sensitive issue of pay raises, and this year has been no different.
Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah, sought this summer to block the increase from taking effect as part of debate on legislation to provide funds for the Transportation Department.
"I do not think that it is appropriate to let this bill go through without an up or down vote on whether or not Congress should have an increase in its own pay," he said at the time.
But by a 249-167 procedural vote, the House decided not to allow the vote Matheson wanted.
The pay raise would also apply to the vice president - who is president of the Senate - congressional leaders and Supreme Court justices.
President Bush's salary of $400,000 is unaffected.
What the GOP needs to do is vote 100% with the democrats on this and take the wind out of their sails.
Because most of them are nothing but money grubbing politicians?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
May they succeed on that one. But if they really wanted to show some stones, they'd put it forward as a standalone bill that recinded the automatic raise provision permanently. Otherwise, this is only a stunt.
Here is something else the democrats can fix
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http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,20896554-401,00.html?from=public_rss
Too large condoms give Indian men the slip
It's a drop in the bucket compared to the money from lobbyists and speaking fees. More symbolism over substance.
This is just a political cheap shot at the GOP. So much for all the talk of bipartisanship.
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Of course it is -- the Dems are NOTHING but professional liars and hypocrites, focused on NOTHING but power and control.
I don't care whether members of Congress get a pay raise or not. But as a federal employee, I'm very interested in ensuring rank-and-file federal employees get their annual pay raise. Fortunately, the measure mentioned in this article affects only members of Congress and Supreme Court justices -- federal employees' raises are contained in a separate provision which is part of the spending bill for all federal agencies. So I'm certain we'll get our raises come January!
Per Aristophanes' comedy "knights", the proper modus operandi in such cases is to out-BS them [as Agoracritus did with Cleon], and offer 2% pay cut.
Yes you are right but I'm on their side.
Every democrat crook is lining up the mega-million scams as we speak, and absolutely no one in the MSM will ever investigate.
Harry Reid needs a pay raise? The Nevada Cadaver makes his "pay raise" every 10 minutes in bribes, kickbacks, etc.
"out-BS them [as Agoracritus did with Cleon], and offer 2% pay cut."
Perfect..
Get real, both parties are NOTHING but professional liars and hypocrites, focused on NOTHING but power and control.
The Republicans should propose a pay DECREASE !!!!
Few things are more idiotic than the ritualized getting-bent-out-of-shape over congressional pay raises.
Personally I'd be in favor of 1 million+ for every member of Congress. It's ridiculous for a guy on a committee with the power to give various corporations multibillion dollar contracts to be paid less than your local orthodontist.
And what people don't understand is the LESS congressmen receive in legitmate, legal pay, the MORE likely they are to be corrupt.
Absolutely, Congress only attacts the mediocre, the best and brightest wouldn't even think of public service.
The GOP should cut Congressional pay to $5.15 an hour. Let the Democrats solve the problem.
Frankly, I think that Congressmen are paid too much, anyway, so I'm the last person to ask.
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