To Extend the Pay Limitation for Members of Congress and Federal Employees

Floor Speech

Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3835, a bill that represents more of a political stunt by Republicans than an honest way to address the shared sacrifice needed across the Federal Government in these difficult fiscal times. Members were not allowed to consider a bill offered by Representative CHRIS VAN HOLLEN, H.R. 3858, that would have prevented members of Congress from receiving an automatic pay raise in 2013. I would have voted in favor of that bill. With so many Americans still looking for work and struggling to pay their bills, it is only fair and right that members of Congress put their needs first. However, Republicans chose to tie our salary freeze with those of Federal employees. Previously, they had not been linked. I regret that House Republicans thought it was more important to score political points than showing the American people that Members of Congress on a bipartisan basis support the existing Congressional pay freeze. Such actions only serve to deepen the cynicism of Americans who have grown increasingly fed up with the polarization of Congress.

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