Congressman Fleming Cosponsors Bill to Prevent Congressional Pay Raise

Press Release

Congressman Fleming Cosponsors Bill to Prevent Congressional Pay Raise

Congressman John Fleming announced today that he has signed on as a cosponsor of a bill to prevent Members of Congress from receiving any automatic pay adjustment in 2010 (H.R. 156). Fleming has been vocal about his opposition to the pay raise since being elected in December of 2008 and even wrote to the House Administration declining the pay raise that is scheduled to be given to members of the 111th Congress. However, congressional pay raises are automatic and only a vote of Congress can prevent them from being enacted.

"With the current state of the economy, there is no reason members of Congress should be rewarding themselves with a pay increase," said Congressman Fleming. "I was not part of Congress when this pay raise was approved, but I intend to be very vocal about lawmakers not continuing to fatten their own paychecks while American families struggle with keeping their jobs and their homes."

If the bill fails to pass, Fleming will donate the $4,700 pay raise to a charity in the 4th Congressional District.

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