lawmakers propose pay cut for congress.

[Fitz]

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/08/lawmaker-pushes-congress-percent-pay-cut/

Yeah, I know, it's a small drop in the bucket. But it's a gesture, and I'm behind it.

[taurusowner]

If the new (R) House doesn't approve this, their credibility is going to take a massive hit.

[vaskidmark]

Congress can only make laws regarding pay that take effect in the next term - in other words a sitting Congress cannot make a law that effects its own pay rate.

Seems the desire to keep the bastiges from voting themselves a pay raise (as opposed to their presumption of returning next term to reap the benefit) will also prevent them from cutting their own pay.

stay safe.

[kgbsquirrel]

Congress can only make laws regarding pay that take effect in the next term - in other words a sitting Congress cannot make a law that effects its own pay rate unless they call it a "cost of living adjustment" so it's not considered a "pay raise".

Seems the desire to keep the bastiges from voting themselves a pay raise (as opposed to their presumption of returning next term to reap the benefit) will also prevent them from cutting their own pay.

stay safe.

[vaskidmark]

Them COLAs only go up.  So don't think they'll use it as the vehicle to cut their own pay.

stay safe.

[kgbsquirrel]

Them COLAs only go up.  So don't think they'll use it as the vehicle to cut their own pay.

stay safe.

*shrug*  They already call their annual pay raise a COLA in order to dodge the 27th Amendment. Why not just call the reduction something else as well? Excess Pay Adjustment and Redirection?



By the by, the D.C. federal court of appeals ruled that the 27th Am. does not affect COLA's, and the 10th circuit ruled that receiving said COLA doesn't give you standing to challenge said COLA's constitutionality (figure that one out). SCOTUS has not heard any cases on the matter to date.

No law, varying the compensation for the services of the Senators and Representatives, shall take effect, until an election of Representatives shall have intervened.

[P5 Guy]

If they all would return their paychecks then I'd say we have hope for change.

[Waitone]

I would rather congress keep its salary at the present level, then fix or do the following:
--Implement a negative index on congressional pay based on the imbalance in the budget.  Budget is 20% out of whack?  Congress' pay is cut by 20% for that year. 
--Repeal automatic pay raises which congress has to specifically vote down or they get it anyway,
--Remove all exemptions from laws which congress votes for itself.
--Get rid of congress' gold plated retirement system and give'em nuttin' for service
--Do away with congress' generous healthcare system and force'em into Obamacare

These items are top of my mind.  In other words, I want congress to live in the world they create for Joe and Martha Sixpack.

Yeah, I know!  It is fun to dream.