House Leader Defends Pay Raises Sun Jul 21, 1:22 PM ET WASHINGTON (AP) - House Majority Leader Dick Armey on Sunday defended new pay raises for Congress, saying lawmakers work hard and deserve more money. House members cleared the way last week for a 3.3 percent cost-of-living increase. If the raise of about $5,000 a year goes into effect in January, it would be the fourth in four years and boost annual salaries of rank-and-file members of Congress to about $155,000. "I don't know why anybody in America would say, `Mr. Big Shot, get yourself elected to Congress and then be stupid enough to deny yourself the pay and benefits that your job warrants,'" said Armey, R-Texas. "It's bizarre that people would have that kind of an unrealistic expectation of hardworking people," he said on NBC's "Meet the Press." Armey, who is retiring after this year, said the formula gives members of Congress smaller cost-of-living increases than government workers. Raises go into effect automatically unless lawmakers vote to block them. One lawmaker spoke against increases. Rep. James Matheson ( news, bio, voting record), D-Utah, said with the country "swimming in red ink," the raises were ill-timed. ================= I didn't think being a congressman was a "career"? These people get paid a lot more than most and don't even work a full year!? Wasn't the original intention of a congressional job to serve the public, then go home back to a job and possibly a family?
I don't have a problem with it. It seems to be a more than full-time job. It is ill-timed, but other than that, it doesn't really matter.
But lets stagnate on government mandated Minimum wage laws. 5.15 an hour is absolutely appalling. Almsot exactly 11 years ago When I got my first job the minimum wage was 4.25 an hour. It took several years for it to move once. But its important to increase their wage to account for cost of living increases. LOL i guess the lower incomed dont have cost of living increases in the last 11 years.
Their needs are MUCH more important than the commoners. If you want a change, write a federal politician, and make sure to vote in every election. Also don't forget about studying about the canidates.
I love how this was worded; implying that they voted for these raises, or for that matter, did anything... Truth is, they set themselves up a sweet deal back in the 80s that automatically gives them raises unless they vote to decline it. I guess they're not bound to the 27th Amendment... "No law, varying the compensation for the services of the senators and representatives, shall take effect, until an election of representatives shall have intervened."
This is a symptom of a far bigger problem. "Serving your country" is a lost concept for our Congresspeople. Being elected to Congress has now become a vehicle for celebrity, power, and untoward influence. How else can a failed lawyer make $155,000 a year, fly to Hollywood fundraisers on corporate jets, and live the life of a media star? I want term limits for these folks, and I want them now!!!!!!!!!
