Senators suggest a federal pay freeze to help fund wars

[The Straight Story]

Senators suggest a federal pay freeze to help fund wars

Two Republican senators have filed spending bill amendments that would freeze pay raises and bonuses for federal employees for one year to help pay for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Sens. Tom Coburn of Oklahoma and John McCain of Arizona said Congress must find cuts elsewhere to pay for the $60 billion war supplemental, and filed two amendments they said would save taxpayers $119.9 billion. One includes the salary freeze for feds, which the senators estimate would save $2.6 billion, as well as a mandate to collect unpaid taxes from federal employees for a savings of $3 billion. It also would eliminate non-essential government travel for a savings of $10 billion over 10 years and it would reduce "excessive duplication, overhead and spending" for a savings of $20 billion.

Other provisions of the amendment include:

* Reducing printing and publishing costs of government documents ($4.4 billion, over 10 years)
* Eliminating bonuses for government contractors that don't meet performance expectations ($8 billion, over 10 years)
* Repealing the Energy Star program ($627 million, over 10 years)
* Eliminating an increase in foreign aid for international organizations ($68 million)

more

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=45351&oref=todaysnews

[ShortnFiery]

1. How about END these senseless occupations and take care of our Nation? eom

[CountAllVotes]

2. * Repealing the Energy Star program ($627 million, over 10 years)

real smart ... :dunce: :grr:

:kick:

[ShortnFiery]

7. On a similar note: How about ENDING all War Profiteering Government Contractor Bonuses?

What makes moral sense out of giving bonuses to people who make weapons that foment DEATH and DESTRUCTION?

We could be using the 700 Billion PLUS/year for health care, education and job retraining programs NOT to KILL other HUMAN BEINGS.

[CountAllVotes]

8. fine ideas

no argument from me!

[ShortnFiery]

13. I know that I probably bore people with this but ...

I was honored to serve in the Active Duty Army. However, that was during the 1980s. I honestly can't see myself involved in anything having to do with killing tribal peoples. Not being "at war" and then giving it all to END IT as soon as possible? That troubles me. I don't think I could serve during these horrid times.

Basically, I don't understand killing these third world people ... we don't even want to vacation in either country. All I can fathom is that it's for geopolitical positioning. IMO, sending young men and women to kill and die for hegemony is UN-JUST and IMMORAL. :(

[msongs]

16. it's all about profits for america's welfare scamming war corporations nt

[eppur_se_muova]

3. How about a war freeze? Have we ever tried that? nt

[joeybee12]

4. Hey assholes, why don't you give up your salaries ENTIRELY if you're

so gung-ho on endless wars? And also donate the kick-backs you get under the table, assholes. Oh, and ASSHOLES!

[FiveGoodMen]

5. There is no bottom.

We get ever lower.

[DevonRex]

6. LOL! Do they have any idea how many people are supported by

Federal salaries? And how many of those people vote? First the GOP is racist against anybody other than white people and NOW they're alienating Federal employees, their spouses and their children? And anyone related to a Federal employee?

Good move, GOP. :rofl:

[Obamanaut]

9. Bringing home ALL the currently deployed troops would save a

pantload of dollars.

Closing all the 700+ military sites in the 30+ various countries and bringing home all those troops and their families would save another pantload. No lease payments on those sites.

Deploy all those troops/families into the downsized bases in the US will bring an immediate boost to those local economies.

Long term, reduce the size of the active military via reduced recruiting efforts combined with normal attrition from enlistment expirations.

[aquart]

10. Anything but taxing the greedy, unpatriotic rich, huh?

[Frances]

11. I noticed that omission as well

How many federal employees make mega-bucks? They are already paying federal, state, local, and sales tax (which is a regressive tax). This plan just increases the gap between the top 5% and the rest of the country.

[Overseas]

12. K&R-- highlighting Modern Republican Values

Must keep funding war profiteering. Instead of cutting funding for Halliburton, Blackwater/Xe et al, we'd better cut wages for federal employees.

Where's our special commission on debt reduction through de-privatizing the military budget?

[dixiegrrrrl]

14. How the hell would that "save" taxpayers any money?

If you take the money away from one sector to give it to the war machine, how does that save my tax money???

[Sherman A1]

15. Good Idea

They can go first with freezes and cuts to their compensation. Perhaps they could cut back a few staffers each.

[Catherina]

17. How about a war freeze to fund a living wage? Criminals n/t

[annabanana]

18. "unpaid taxes from federal employees"??

Does he think that Federal employees ignore their 1040's at a greater rate than the rest of the population?

Howzabout they do something about the paltry capaital gains tax?