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Bad time for congressional pay raises
Capitol Hill at sunrise
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Scott Jagow: Congress has yet to sign off on most appropriations bills to fund federal agencies, and that includes the funding bill that gives lawmakers raises. Even though it hasn't passed yet, the pay hikes kick in automatically next month. Danielle Karson reports.
Danielle Karson: Every January, like clockwork, lawmakers get their automatic pay raises. Next month, their incomes will go up 2.8 percent, to $174,000.
For Steve Ellis with Taxpayers for Common Sense, there's something wrong with this picture.
Steve Ellis: If you look across the country, you have Americans who are losing their jobs, aren't getting any holiday bonuses; and then you have Congress getting a pay raise. It really flies in the face of shared sacrifice.
Many members campaigned this year to eliminate automatic pay raises. It may have made for good politics. But Utah Democrat Jim Matheson has been the lone voice in the House protesting the pay hikes, and is giving the extra cash to charitable groups.
Jim Matheson: There's no question that our current circumstances really call into question if this is the time for Congress to be raising its own pay. I use that term loosely, 'cause Congress didn't really do anything to raise its own pay -- it just kinda happens.
Taxpayer advocate Steve Ellis says it's up to constituents to let their representatives know the automatic raises are not OK -- especially now.
In Washington, I'm Danielle Karson for Marketplace.
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Based on some recent e-mails received from friends, there seems to be lots of confusion surrounding whether the Senate &/or the Congress did or did not receive a pay increase effective Jan. 2010. Can you please set the record straight for all us SS retiree's.
States have put hirig freezes, cost of living freezes, people are struggling to make ends meet on unemployment, many employees who still have a job are asked to take unpaid days off (furlough days). There is a lot of financial loss. Doesn't it only seem right that the Congress give back like everyone else. After all they are the law makers and suppose to represent the people. They need to represent by turning back in that financial gain just like the CEOs are being asked to do.
Congress/the President should tie their raises to the economy just like SS & Medicare. All should be treated alike in the current economical environment. Congressional retirement packages should also be changed. Congress is elected and should not act as if they are royalty and they are not actually representing their constituents (except when running for re-election).
Why the Double Standards Congress? Mr. President? You picked a bad time to accept these raises when most Americans are facing layoffs, unemployment, let alone not getting holiday bonuses or pay raises!!! Actions speak louder than words and Americans are watching how you foolishly spend our hard earned tax dollars!
The only way to fix this is to get rid of them all at the next election. There is not one among the who would initiate a bill and see it through to the finish to end the automatic raises. I am sick to death of the idiocy and lack of intelligence. Just last week when touting themselves for passing a healthcare bill,two senators gave quick speeches. One said he was proud to have passed a bill that would help 46 million people get health insurance, and the other one said he was proud to have passed a bill that would help 33 million people get health insurance. Which is it? Do they know what they are even doing?? Should that be rewarded with a raise?
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