House Democratic Leaders Freeze Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Members

[kpete]

Source: Congressional Quarterly

House Democratic Leaders Freeze Cost-of-Living Adjustment for Members
By Edward Epstein, CQ Staff

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer said Tuesday that House members won’t get a pay increase in fiscal 2010 — although their fellow lawmakers will have something to say about that.

“The Speaker and I have discussed it and we’ve both agreed that it would not be appropriate for us to take cost-of-living adjustments in the coming year,” Hoyer, D-Md., said after the Democratic Caucus meeting. He cited the “extraordinary pain” that economic problems are inflicting on the nation.

Under the terms of a 1989 law, members of Congress automatically get an annual cost-of-living pay increase unless they act to stop it. The annual increases are based on a formula calculated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which takes into consideration changes in private industry wages and salaries. Hoyer had earlier suggested that the formula may not provide a pay raise this year anyway, but it is not yet known if that would be the case.

Hoyer conceded that he and Pelosi, D‑Calif., acted in part out of fear that if the index showed the House would get a raise, the public would react angrily. “We would be much less popular if we took it,” he added.

Read more: http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docID=news-000003028873

[Cynical Guy]

1. I propose a new cost of living adjustment process.

All members of Congress and the Executive Branch are subject to a pay cut commensurate with the unemployment level of the country.

It seems unfair to do it now that Bush left the country on fire, but if we we to get it enacted for launch in 2010, we might see some new ideas coming down the pike. The first ideas would of course be how to screw with the unemployment numbers, but once we got through that crap, we might see some motivation.

<5% unemployment is basically "full employment" , no charge.
5-7% unemployment, -10% pay.
7-10% unemployment -20% pay.
>10% unemployment -50% pay.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

4. Or hinge the cost of living increase

to a comparable minimum wage raise.

[Dr.Phool]

5. Good idea.

And welcome to DU!

[47of74]

8. And have a bit more truth in advertising when it comes to the unemployemnt rate too

Instead of just counting people who are collecting unemployment, count all unemployed persons so that there's more incentive to get the numbers down as far as possible. And I'd say the following;

<5% unemployment is basically "full employment" , no charge.
5-7% unemployment, -25% pay.
7-10% unemployment -50% pay.
>10% unemployment -75% pay.

[grannie4peace]

12. you get my vote

[GoddessOfGuinness]

2. It's about effing time.

I remember a few years ago, when Democrats suggested this, the thugs had a vote on it in the wee hours of the night. :(

[UrbScotty]

3. How about a pay CUT?

Democratic lawmakers in Lansing are looking into that. Why not DC?

[Mari333]

11. hello Kentwood

waving from about 30 miles away. :)

[UrbScotty]

21. :-)

:hi:

[Pab Sungenis]

15. Actually, that can't be done under the 27th Amendment.

Not only can't Congress raise its own pay, it can't cut it, either. Either action wouldn't take effect until 2011.

[Donnachaidh]

17. Isn't that convenient

They should still put a bill through. I think a 10% pay cut might get rid of more Repukes down the line.

[Janice325]

6. I think it would be a hoot if the Democrats in the House agreed, but

the Republicans would have a cow over the suggestion. I'd pay good money to see THAT discussion televised.

PS I think it's a great suggestion by Hoyer and Pelosi.

[2Design]

7. About damn time - also get rid of benefits and accept the salaries

the rest of us get until you are able to offer health care and retirement to all - they have so much time off and boondoggles

[firedupdem]

9. Good move by Hoyer and Pelosi...

that will mean a lot to the american people. Let the rethugs and whoever else get mad about it and then explain their anger to their constituents.

[Demeter]

10. So, The Leadership Is Neither Ingorant or Stupid

then they must be very venal or cowardly to not have done anything about impeachment, STILL!

Or blackmailed, in which case I hope we hear that the FBI and Justice departments get cracking and RICO is liberally applied to Bushbots.

One insignificant gesture (no doubt in response to the overwhelming approval of executive pay limits) is not going to make up for 8 years of heinous misrule and dereliction.

[girl gone mad]

13. It's a start.

They really need a sharp pay cut and the elimination of pensions and benefits, like they've allowed corporations to do to the rest of us for decades now. What's good for the goose is good for the gander.

[notadmblnd]

14. That's a good start, now cut their pay and start laying off their staff

let them see how it is to be overworked, underpaid and not able to afford their bills.

[galileoreloaded]

16. Well, when you bump your expense account $93,000 apiece, who needs a raise?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNRt9R7S8aM&eurl=http://bloggingredneck.blogspot.com/2009/01/congress-gave-itself-93000-raise-to.html&feature=player_embedded

Yah, Yah Foxnews. Looks like they are the only one reporting it though so.........

[Ian David]

18. I think pay for members of Congress should be tied to the minimum wage.

If they want to increase their pay, they have to increase the minimum wage by the same percentage, as well as welfare and social security benefits.

Maybe Congressional pay should be pegged at something like ten times the minimum wage.

If the minimum wage is $7.00 and hour, Congress-Critters would make $145,600 a year.

[bdamomma]

19. oh baby right wing heads are exploding now.

oh whew maybe the repigs will stage a walkout cause we all know how much they love money.

[DCKit]

20. Somebody at the BLS is seriously in need of a math tutorial...

considering that working-class wages have been stagnant since the 1970's.

Executive pay and compensation must play a huge role in that formula.

[No Elephants]

22. Aren't welfare COLA increases tied to those Congress takes, or is

that in the past?

How does anything get "much less popular" than a 9% approval rating? And is popularity what sets Congresses' moral compass?

Pretty dumb remark, Hoyer.