Statement Against Congressional Pay Increase

Floor Speech

STATEMENT AGAINST CONGRESSIONAL PAY INCREASE -- (Extensions of Remarks - June 29, 2007)

* Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Madam Speaker, I rise to oppose the current system of administering pay increases for Members of Congress. Since I was first elected by Kansans to represent them in our Nation's capital, I have opposed the hidden process by which Members of Congress receive an annual pay raise.

* Right now, the House Agriculture Committee is reauthorizing the farm bill. For Kansans and rural citizens across the country, this is perhaps the most significant piece of legislation Congress will consider this year. Unfortunately, the Democrat-crafted budget does not include enough funding to meet the needs of our Nation's agricultural producers, fulfill the environmental and conservation needs of our country and carry out food stamp and nutrition programs. Congress has been irresponsible with taxpayer dollars for too long and the limitless spending is catching up with us. Vital legislation, like the farm bill, that supports millions of Americans does not have the money available to it to meet the needs of our country.

* Members of Congress should not receive a pay increase when the federal budget is this tight. Congress needs to follow the lead of American families and cut out spending that is unnecessary. We should begin today by cutting out the automatic pay raise for Members of Congress.

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