GOP Candidate Calls for Rollback of Congressional Salaries

Press Release

In a statement released from his campaign headquarters today, Morgan Griffith, the Republican candidate for the Ninth Congressional seat, said he supports Democratic U.S. Representative Ann Kirkpatrick in calling for a Congressional pay cut. Griffith would like to take it even further--calling on Congress to cut their pay by 10 percent or roughing $17,300.

If passed by Congress, it would be the first Congressional pay cut in 77 years.

"Everyone else is cutting back in these hard times," said Griffith. "So why not show Americans, Congress understands by taking a pay cut themselves."

Griffith said the people of southwest Virginia are having a hard time making ends meet, while our Congressional leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Rick Boucher are setting back and enjoying grandiose salaries. "If Pelosi and Boucher cannot live on $155,700 a year, than they should go home. And no wonder we have a trillion dollar deficit."

"We have to stop the spend, spend, spend cycle," said Griffith. "Instead, we need to think about balancing the budget and stop adding to the high deficit. In Virginia, I was part of an effort that balanced the budget. Yes, we had to cutback on things. When people are hurting government officials need to set an example and also feel the pain."

Congressional leaders, including current Ninth District Congressman Rick Boucher, make over $173,000, not including benefits. The independent Rasmussen polling group has released a report that 75% of people nationwide want Members to reduce their salaries until the budget is balanced.

"Our federal government has been in the practice of throwing money around. Now is the time to look for practical ways to stop that, and one is this Congressional pay rollback," says Griffith.

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