[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 110 (Friday, July 30, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1686]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    SALARIES FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS

                                 ______
                                 

                             HON. RON LEWIS

                              of kentucky

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 29, 1999

  Mr. LEWIS of Kentucky. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to address the issue 
of salaries for Members of Congress.
  I have spoken time and again about my frustration of having to deal 
with the issue of automatic cost of living increases for Members of 
Congress each year. This year was no exception.
  Representing a mostly rural district in Kentucky, I believe that I am 
fairly compensated for my services. It is an honor for me to represent 
the Second District.
  It is important, at a time like this, for us to not lose sight of the 
fact that in the past several years we have ask America to sacrifice in 
order to balanced the federal budget. While we, in Congress, have made 
great strides toward this goal, our job is not yet complete.
  I continue to be concerned with the process in which these cost of 
living adjustments are made. I would rather Congress take an up or down 
vote on all pay adjustments for Members and have cosponsored 
legislation to eliminate the cost of living provision all together. 
This was the manner in which Congress did business for over one hundred 
and fifty years.
  This is the first time in five years I have voted for a cost of 
living increase. I have to recognize that many of my colleagues are not 
fortunate enough to live in a low cost area such as the Second District 
of Kentucky.
  This increase is not just for Members of Congress but for the 
thousands of federal judges and civil service administrators which are 
leaving at an alarming rate for the private sector. This exodus is 
depriving the government of some of the best and brightest that we have 
to offer.
  Mr. Speaker, while I supported the increase for these reasons this 
time, I will not accept it personally. I intend to contribute my share 
of the cost of living increase to worthwhile causes in the Second 
District of Kentucky.

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