No Automatic Congressional Pay Raises

I’m committed to ending the annual automatic pay raise given to members of Congress.  Hardworking Iowans don’t automatically get a raise each year and neither should those of us who serve them.  Senator Russ Feingold and I are leading a bipartisan group of 20 senators urging the House of Representatives to take up the legislation that the Senate passed in March 2009, which would end the automatic pay raise system for members of Congress. 

Currently, members of Congress receive an automatic pay increase unless they pass legislation to block it.  I've always voted to block it when given the chance.  Members who believe they deserve a raise should take on the responsibility of introducing legislation allowing for a raise.  Then, every member ought to say yes or no on the record.

The current system sends the wrong message to the American people who are already cynical about government. There’s no reason, under even normal circumstances, that members of Congress should automatically receive a bump in pay.  But when so many people are tightening their belts, it’s an extra slap in the face to the American people.  I’ve fought congressional pay raises for a long time, and I’ll keep up the fight.