[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 104 (Tuesday, July 22, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1465-E1466]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            DENIAL OF PAY ADJUSTMENT FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. MAX SANDLIN

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 22, 1997

  Mr. SANDLIN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce legislation that 
exempts Members of Congress from receiving the cost of living pay 
increase for fiscal year 1998. It is irresponsible for us to increase 
our own pay at a time when we have not met our obligation to the 
American people to balance the Federal budget. We are at a critical 
point in our Federal spending priorities. We are making decisions to 
cut spending that will impact all Americans.
  At a time when some in Government are seriously considering cutting 
Medicare benefits to our seniors in order to balance the budget, how 
can we justify giving ourselves a pay raise? Our parents worked a 
lifetime for those benefits. We cannot in good conscience increase our 
pay while breaking our commitment to them. These are some of the most 
vulnerable in our society and their health care needs must come first.
  At a time when unfairly cutting veterans' benefits is under 
consideration, how can we justify giving ourselves a pay raise? Our 
veterans laid down their lives for our country. Our world dominance 
today is due in large part to the men and women who have served our 
country in harm's way throughout history. We have an obligation to them 
not to turn our backs on their health care needs.
  At a time when we are struggling to give every student an opportunity 
for a college education, how can we justify giving ourselves a pay 
raise? Our students represent the future of our country. By providing 
them the opportunity to further their education, we advance the 
American ideals of social progress and equality. We must do everything 
within our power to make post secondary education more affordable for 
everyone who wants to attend.
  At a time when we cannot adequately fund transportation and 
infrastructure repairs and improvements, how can we justify giving 
ourselves a pay raise? The strength of America's economy was built on 
the foundation of a world class infrastructure. We cannot continue to 
increase our productivity and expand our economy without improvements 
to our infrastructure.
  We have just begun to work toward easing the tax burden on the 
American people. How can we justify giving ourselves a pay raise before 
that task is complete? The Taxpayer Relief Act that recently passed the 
House raised the estate tax exemption from $600,000 to $1,000,000 by 
the year 2007. Many families in

[[Page E1466]]

my district in east Texas who own farms or small businesses could lose 
significant portions of their family property waiting for this 
provision to be implemented. The exemption should be $1 million now, 
not 10 years from now.
  As one of my constituent's wrote, Congress is here to take care of 
people. Congress must get to work on the people's business. I hope my 
fellow Members will join me in opposing a congressional pay raise until 
we have taken care of the people.

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