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Federal Daily News

Bill would cut congressional salaries

Two Democratic lawmakers want their colleagues to take a pay cut like other federal workers when furloughs kick in, Government Executive reports.

According to the report, Sens. Claire McCaskill of Missouri and Bill Nelson of Florida have introduced legislation calling for congressional salaries to be reduced once governmentwide furloughs go into effect by the end of this month.

The bill -- the Congressional Overspending Pay Accountability Act – would put a salary reduction of up to 20 percent (the same amount some feds will face) into place through September unless Congress reverses the automatic spending cuts, the article notes.


 

Reader comments

Wed, Mar 13, 2013 richard San Diego, CA

It is hard to understand how in the past few congressional sessions that congress has secured their pay where it cannot be lowered, increased their pay and lost touch with reality. Pelosi said, not an exact quote "lowering our pay would deminish the integrity of this office", seriously? I think that comment took care of that. So many in office say the federal employees are over paid when compared to the private sector, really, before locality pay came about the pct of difference was in San Diego 26 pct greater in the private sector, now with locality pay it might be somewhere close to 7 or 8 pct in favor of the private sector for technical fields like IT. The President said he would not raise taxes on the middle income, yet indirectly aren't we going to be taxed by losing 20 pct of our pay. Vicious circle as we pay taxes just like anybody else, but we pay taxes that actually support our own salary, now some of which we won't see. DoD budget for staffing hasn't changed as much as the cost of technology, that is where the big bucks are. Interesting article the other day, Congressional staffers getting bonuses during our economic problems, with some congressmen saying they deserve it because they work so hard, put in long hours and don't complain, hello let me introduce you to a majority of DoD federal employees that do just that but has to worry if he can make the mext mortgage/rent, feed the kids, pay for college, his and his children's, pay for day care etc. The average salary of a congressman is 170k, his average budget to support his office is 1.3 mil. The average congressman's office has probably been refurnished and remodel at least once a year or every two. Where is all the waste? Apparently not in Washington. DoD military can't fly for training hours, as a pilot an important part of their job, employees can't travel commercial right now for training or other important meetings that just don't work via teleconference or video conference because of low end technology to do so, now because everything is frozen dollar wise, yet has congress cut back on their pay, their vacations, their expense accounts, you'd be hard pressed to find any of that is happening in their house. They will all be re-elected though because the masses that elect them only see the good they think their doing. All the political fighting that is going on is like kids in a sandbox. We can't get a DoD budget because of all the politicians adding on their special programs that are non-dod related. We haven't had a budget in over two years and the CR are having an extreme negative affect on the DoDs ability to plan better, smarter and yes even cheaper if given the chance.

Wed, Mar 13, 2013

Furlough congressional staff. Then you might see some action. And cut congressional staff pay while you are at it by paring back the million dollar increases to legislative funding per seat that was added in 2008 and 2009. No matter what party, most of the elected officials won't feel a pay cut. What they will feel and react to is a reduction in their staffing.

Wed, Mar 13, 2013 Peter J

Congress take a pay cut... are you kidding? The Congressional clowns caused this mess in the first place and continue on their spending sprees. Remember, they pass budgets. They are the ones who load funding bills with unnecessary pork for pet projects and programs. They are the ones that allowed the Administration to pass millions to now bankrupt alternative energy companies like Ener1 (118 million), Solyndra (535 million loan guarantee), etc. How much is government subsidizing the production of Chevy Volts? Estimates are in the billions! Do you know that the government has purchased 26% of all Volts manufactured to keep production going as most consumers don't want them? How many millions did the Administration just pass to Egypt in what will be a failed attempt to buy loyalty? Congress are the ones who have not passed a budget in 5 years. They are the ones who did not read the Affordable Care Act... (Obama Care) before passing it. The Supreme Court upheld the Constitutional challenge to Obama care because "...it is a tax..." Keep an eye open for lower take home pay when that kicks in in 2014. Congressional delegates are the ones not doing what they are hired to do. They are the ones that need to be furloughed. That said, the bottom line is that American voters are to blame for the mess. Elections have consequences and voters voted to retain many Congressional non-performers.

Wed, Mar 13, 2013

Congress should take a pay cut, a really big cut. They have not done their jobs, they have refused to do their jobs. If deadlines are missed, then their pay should immediately stop until the resolution is found.

Wed, Mar 13, 2013

While Congressional pay is protected by the Constitution, they could get an equivalent via a targeted tax increase that effectively reduces their 'take home'. As a matter of fact, I'd like to see Congressional pay be reduced to be equivalent to the average american's salary and any outside income above that is taxed 100 percent. This way, the millionaires and billionares will not want to play with the people and only the persons truely willing to govern for the sake of the people will run for office.

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