[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 88 (Tuesday, June 28, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1394]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  DEPARTMENTS OF LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, AND EDUCATION, AND 
               RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2006

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                               speech of

                            HON. JERRY MORAN

                               of kansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 23, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill. (H.R. 3010) 
     making appropriations for the Departments of Labor, Health 
     and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies for 
     the fiscal year ending September 30, 2006, and for other 
     purposes.

  Mr. MORAN of Kansas. Mr. Chairman, I rise to voice my opposition to 
the existing law that provides an automatic annual cost-of-living pay 
increase for Members of Congress.
  While I appreciate the hard work of my colleagues on this bill, I 
object to the process and believe it should be reformed. Failure to 
allow an up or down vote on this issue only serves to increase cynicism 
towards the political process and confirms the feeling of many voter 
that their representatives are out of touch. The American public 
deserves better. Members of Congress should be on record with our 
constituents as to whether we believe an increase in our salary is 
justified. Given the opportunity, I would vote ``no''.
  Fiscal discipline must start with Members of Congress. While our 
nation's economy continues to improve, our national debt remains at 
unprecedented levels and many rural Americans are struggling. 
Struggling to put food on the table. Struggling to make their farms and 
businesses profitable. Struggling to pay skyrocketing medical costs. 
Struggling to educate their children. Struggling to save for 
retirement. The people we represent deserve responsible government and 
Congress should not receive an automatic cost-of-living increase during 
these challenging economic times.

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