Pay Raise For Congress?

Article By Writer Michael Kraft Author: Michael Kraft
Published: July 21, 2007
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I need more cash! In searching out information regarding the pay raise for this year in congress, I couldn’t help but notice the pattern of what came up.

Congress has the lowest rating of just about anything in the United States.

President Bush is widely unpopular since liberals hate his war views, and conservatives hate him giving america away to Mexico.

All this has put bush as low as 32% support for his work.

But the untold story (except for by Rush), is that the “do nothing” congress is much lower than that. Most polls have the approval of the “work” done by the Democrat majority congress is around 24%, one of the lowest in the history of our country.

Now I have to wonder why this isnt in as many headlines as I search?

I was looking for the information about the pay raise that the most unpopular senate in history was giving itself, and I couldnt find much in the mainstream media about it.

When I searched, I found about 50 articles proclaiming “George Bush denied the military pay raises of 3.5%” which could be maybe $95 a month on average, but I couldn’t find much about the $4400 pay raise that congress was giving itself.
(around $367 a month)

Ironically, the only person not getting (and not deserving) a pay raise is the president.

So Bush denies the pay increase for the military, but didnt accept one himself either.

On the other hand the least popular congress in history felt they needed more than the $165,000 to $212,000 per year to continue with the 22% approval job they are doing?

Which of these should be news?

I would hope a few Democrats and Republicans step up and donate that $4400 to charity in the reality that they dont deserve it.
Better yet, send it to a few soldiers if they are truly upset about the lack of a raise for the military, god knows the soldiers have actually done some work these last few months.

“Despite record-low approval ratings, House lawmakers Wednesday voted to accept an approximately $4,400 pay raise that will increase their salaries to almost $170,000.

The cost-of-living raise gets lawmakers back on track for automatic pay raises after a fight between Democrats and Republicans last year and again in January killed the pay hike due this year. That was the first interruption of the annual congressional pay hike in seven years……

…..Both House members and senators presently make $165,200 a year, with a handful of leaders such as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., earning more.

The pay raise would also apply to the vice president - who is president of the Senate - congressional leaders and Supreme Court justices.

This year, Vice President Dick Cheney, Pelosi and Chief Justice John Roberts receive $212,100. Associate justices receive $203,000. House and Senate party leaders get $183,500.

President Bush’s salary of $400,000 is unaffected by the legislation.”

Rep Jim Matheson summed it up nicely here:
“I don’t think this is the right time for members of Congress to be allowing the pay raise to go through without even an up-or-down vote,” said Rep. Jim Matheson, D-Utah. “We need to show the American people we are willing to make some sacrifices … that we recognize there’s a struggle for some in today’s economy.”

While I don’t think his $166,000 per year is really “in touch” with any struggling families, he is on base with his sentiment.

Info from Forbes.com

Congress gives itself a pay raise and the soldier dont get one