Posted Jan 7, 2011, 9:19 am
Saying "members of Congress must set an example," U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords is asking for a smaller paycheck for herself and her colleagues.
The Arizona Democrat introduced legislation Thursday to cut the salaries of representatives and senators by 5 percent.
"The House today voted to cut the office budgets for members of Congress by 5 percent," Giffords said in a news release. "I strongly support that cut. But our salaries should not be exempt. Members of Congress must set an example and there's no better way to do that than by cutting our own salaries."
If approved, it would be the first time in nearly 78 years that members of Congress have taken a pay cut, Giffords said.
Giffords' bill has 18 cosponsors including Texas Republican Rep. Ron Paul.
"We are living in tough economic times," said Giffords. "Everyone is being forced to make sacrifices. Members of Congress can't ask any American to cut back before we are willing to make some sacrifices of our own. I'm prepared to do that and I want my colleagues to join me."
A bill to cut congressional salaries was introduced by then-Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Ariz.) last year with bipartisan support. Giffords was one of 34 cosponsors of the bill, which did not come to the floor.
The legislation would cut congressional pay effective after the November 2012 election. Cutting sooner is not possible because the 27th Amendment does not allow adjustments to pay in between election cycles. The bill also would block all automatic pay increases for members of Congress.
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The last time Congress took a cut in pay was in 1933, during the Great Depression. Members' salaries went from $9,000 to $8,500 per year, a 5.6 percent reduction.
The base pay for House and Senate lawmakers is now $174,000, while majority and minority leaders each make $193,400 per year. Newly elected House Speaker John Boehner will receive a $30,100 pay increase this year because of his new position, making his salary $223,500.
Giffords introduced her legislation on the same day that House members voted to cut the budgets of their offices by 5 percent annually for two years. Giffords supported the cuts, which passed the House on a 410-to-13 vote.
The office budget cuts, which also will affect House committees and leadership, are expected to save $35.2 million this year. For Giffords, the 5 percent office budget cut represents about $78,400 of the amount that the House has allotted her to maintain offices in Tucson, Sierra Vista and Washington.
The congressional office budgets pay salaries of House staff members as well as rent for district offices, travel, office supplies and other office costs.
3 comments on this story
THAT’S one way to bring Democrats and Republicans together!
Five percent will do next to nothing. It’s like Boehner’s 5% office staff cut or cutting earmarks…and Giffords doesn’t need the money.
Gabby’s made two good moves thus far this session…this being one of them. The other was NOT voting for Botox Pelosi as Speaker.