[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 171 (Tuesday, November 6, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H12750-H12752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING THE SENSE OF CONGRESS THAT BASIC PAY FOR MEMBERS OF ARMED 
                       FORCES SHOULD BE INCREASED

  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I move to 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 
162) expressing the sense of Congress that Congress and the President 
should increase basic pay for members of the Armed Forces, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
  The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:

                            H. Con. Res. 162

       Whereas the United States continues to rely extensively 
     upon the members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, 
     and Coast Guard who are deployed overseas and stationed at 
     military support installations within the United States;
       Whereas members of the Armed Forces, regardless of branch 
     of service or whether serving in an active or a reserve 
     component, have carried out their mission objectives with 
     valor, distinction, and steadfast dedication to the cause of 
     liberty and democracy;
       Whereas more than 1,600,000 members of the Armed Forces 
     have deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, and many of these 
     members have served multiple deployments;
       Whereas there are more than 3,000,000 family members and 
     other dependents of the members of the Armed Forces serving 
     on active duty and in reserve components;
       Whereas nearly 50 percent of the members of the Armed 
     Forces, who are deployed away from their permanent duty 
     stations, have left families with children behind;
       Whereas over 50 percent of the members of the Armed Forces 
     who are currently deployed in Iraq are married;
       Whereas military families have persevered in the face of 
     challenges and continue to provide critically important 
     comfort and care and numerous other contributions to their 
     loved ones deployed overseas or stationed within the United 
     States;
       Whereas there currently is a 4 percent gap between the pay 
     increases provided to members of the Armed Forces and the pay 
     increases provided to private sector employees; and
       Whereas it is in the national interest of the United States 
     to offer to the members of the Armed Forces comparable pay to 
     that which the civilian sector provides in order to retain 
     highly qualified men and women in uniform and to faithfully 
     reward their valiant service to the United States: Now, 
     therefore, be it
       Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
     concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) Congress and the President should increase basic pay 
     for members of all components of the Army, Navy, Air Force, 
     Marine

[[Page H12751]]

     Corps, and Coast Guard by 3.5 percent, effective January 1, 
     2008; and
       (2) Congress and the President should increase the basic 
     pay for members of all components of the Army, Navy, Air 
     Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard during fiscal years 2009 
     through 2012 by at least \1/2\ of 1 percent more than the 
     raise calculated under the Employment Cost Index (ECI).

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Patrick J. Murphy) and the gentleman from North 
Carolina (Mr. Jones) each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous 
consent that all Members have 5 legislative days within which to revise 
and extend their remarks on the concurrent resolution under 
consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I rise today for a simple yet important purpose. I 
rise alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to say that we 
support a 3.5 percent pay increase for the brave men and women of our 
Armed Forces.
  Madam Speaker, when I was serving in Baghdad, I fought alongside 
Specialist Juan Arevalo, or ``RV'' to his friends and fellow 
paratroopers. RV is a quick-witted and fearless Texan who had the trust 
of everyone in our brigade and would say things to make us laugh or 
make us think, even during war.
  We used to joke that RV signed up for active duty in the Army without 
even knowing that soldiers got paid. The joke was that he was so 
innocent, he thought the only compensation he received was training, 
housing, and three square meals a day. Serving in Iraq and making just 
over $15,000 a year, RV told everybody he was the richest man in Iraq.
  Even though RV would have worked for free in our military, he 
shouldn't have to, and neither should the families who depend on their 
loved ones overseas.
  More than 1.6 million soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines have 
been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Many of them multiple times. 
These are the brave men and women whose pay we seek to raise today, a 
pay raise that is long overdue.
  Madam Speaker, there are more than 3 million family members who count 
on someone serving on active duty in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. 
Today we fight not just for those soldiers but for their families as 
well.
  Our resolution points out that there is currently a 4 percent pay gap 
between members of the Armed Forces and those in civilian life. At a 
time when our Armed Forces are stretched so thin, we need to offer more 
comparable pay to the private sector to retain the most qualified 
service men and women. Our resolution also gives thanks for their 
valiant service to our Nation.
  Madam Speaker, this is a commonsense measure. But, unfortunately, our 
President has called this pay increase ``unnecessary.'' And yet 2 weeks 
ago President Bush said, ``America should do what it takes to support 
our troops.'' The President criticizes the spending priorities of this 
Congress but stands in the way of a pay increase for our troops.
  I say the President should do what it takes to support our troops. 
This pay raise is long overdue and it is necessary, and President 
Bush's opposition to it is simply unconscionable.
  Madam Speaker, with a 3.5 percent pay increase, we aren't talking 
about a lot of money. But for a private in Iraq making less than 
$16,000 a year in basic pay, that small increase would make all the 
difference in the world. For enlisted men with bills to pay and young 
children to support, several hundred dollars a year more is a big deal.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. 
Jones) for his courageous support, Chairman Murtha, Chairman Obey, 
Chairman Snyder, as well as Chairwoman Davis and Chairman Skelton for 
their leadership on this issue.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time 
as I may consume.
  Madam Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Murphy for his service to this 
Nation and for introducing H. Con. Res. 162.
  Throughout the history of this great Nation, men and women have 
chosen to put on the uniform and defend the principles upon which this 
country was built. The dedication of our men and women to our Nation 
should never be overlooked, and we, as a Congress, should encourage the 
next generation of Americans to do the same.

                              {time}  1115

  However, there exists an inequity in pay between those who serve in 
our Armed Forces and those in the civilian sector.
  For several years, the civilian pay increase rate has remained 4 
percent, which Congressman Murphy mentioned, above that of the 
military. It is time to end this inequity. H. Con. Res. 162 will help 
bring this inequity to a close by calling on Congress to voice their 
support for our servicemembers.
  This Nation relies on our military to defend its citizens against 
enemies both foreign and domestic, and have done so with honor and 
integrity; but they do not fight these battles alone. Our military 
families provide them much-needed support in these difficult times. As 
was said earlier, nearly 40 percent of the members of the Armed Forces 
who are deployed leave their families and children behind them. There 
are more than 3 million family members and dependents of those serving 
on active duty and in the Reserve.
  For far too long, Congress has not made this a top priority. That is 
why I join with my colleague, Representative Patrick Murphy, and all of 
those in both parties who want this to be a number one issue for those 
in uniform and their families. Matching the increase is not sufficient. 
We must close the gap.
  Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield 3 
minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentlelady from New Hampshire. 
There is no greater advocate in the House of Representatives than Ms. 
Shea-Porter, a proud Member, and a fellow member of the House Armed 
Services Committee.
  Ms. SHEA-PORTER. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of 
House Concurrent Resolution 162. By doing this, I rise in strong 
support of our men and women who deserve a pay raise.
  As part of the Defense authorization, the House passed a 3.5 percent 
pay increase for our troops, half a percent larger than the President's 
budget. This means an E-4 would earn $200 a year difference in this, 
just $200 a year difference, but the President opposed this increase, 
calling it unnecessary. I don't think it's unnecessary to provide a 
decent wage for the brave men and women who sacrifice for our country. 
I once lived on military pay, and I can assure you that a decent wage 
is a requirement for military men and women and their families.
  I find it ironic that the President thinks a pay raise for our troops 
is unnecessary, but he thinks it is necessary to pay contractors 
billions of dollars with no accountability at all. The President keeps 
sending our troops back again and again, and the President should at 
least be willing to give them a decent paycheck to do this job.
  Madam Speaker, standing up for our troops must also mean standing up 
for their families. More than half of all servicemembers who are 
deployed to Iraq are married, and more than 40 percent of them have 
left children behind. While a half percent increase may seem small, 
when you're caring for a family, every little bit of support helps. 
This is not only the right thing to do for our troops; it's the right 
thing to do for our national security.
  There is currently a 4 percent pay gap in pay between the military 
and the private sector. If we want to make sure that our armed services 
can recruit and retain the best, most talented, most highly qualified 
people, we need to provide them with comparable pay. This is especially 
critical now when we face new and emerging threats from around the 
world. And the Army began this year with the lowest number of recruits 
signed up for basic

[[Page H12752]]

training since the end of the draft in 1973.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution, 
supporting our national security, and supporting our troops and their 
families by giving them the pay increase they have earned.
  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I now yield 3 
minutes to my friend and colleague, the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. 
Kagen).
  Mr. KAGEN. Madam Speaker, as a cosponsor of this resolution, I rise 
in strong support of its passage.
  Next week, on Veterans Day, our Nation will pause to honor the many 
sacrifices made by veterans who have served in the defense of our 
country. And I appreciate the attention of our House leadership that 
they have given to this resolution and to our veterans who have served 
with incredible honor, with incredible skill and courage.
  H. Con. Res. 162 recognizes the value of their dedicated service and 
begins to address the economic sacrifice of veterans as they endure 
their economic pain.
  Because we rely on a voluntary citizen Army, we are now more indebted 
to those who have foregone higher pay elsewhere in civilian employment, 
especially as the value of our United States dollar continues to 
decline.
  As Congressman Murphy personally understands, our military has 
historically been underpaid. Service men and service women receive much 
less than they could earn in the private sector. And like my 
colleagues, I believe their pay must reflect their sacrifices.
  This resolution calls upon Congress to fairly increase basic pay by 
3.5 percent. We all understand that we must begin to pay all of our 
Nation's debts, and this resolution is a good first step in doing so.
  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, this is the 
last speaker on our side. And I now yield 3 minutes to my friend and 
colleague, a fellow Blue Dog, the gentleman from Indiana, Mr. Joe 
Donnelly.
  Mr. DONNELLY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of House 
Resolution 162, which reemphasizes our support for giving a pay raise 
for our Armed Forces this year.
  This administration insisted in its defense budget request that 
military servicemembers should get no more than a 3 percent increase. 
However, in May, the House passed a needed 3.5 percent across-the-board 
increase in pay for our brave men and women. Unfortunately, the 
administration has deemed this extra half point unnecessary.
  I strongly disagree with this assessment. And I can tell you that our 
servicemembers who defend this country both at home and abroad don't 
find this increase unnecessary. For a young soldier who may be earning 
$20,000 a year, that extra half percent totals $100, but that $100 
could make all the difference in the world when that soldier has bills 
to pay and a family to take care of.
  I believe America's servicemembers deserve this extra half percent 
increase. They put their lives on the line for us daily, for which we 
can never fully repay them for their service, but a 3.5 percent salary 
increase is a good start; and it is a small token of this Nation's 
gratitude.
  Passing this resolution sends a strong message that this increase is 
not only the necessary thing to do, but it's the right thing to do as 
well.
  Mr. JONES of North Carolina. Madam Speaker, again, I want to thank 
Congressman Murphy.
  The stress of war on our men and women and their families is 
enormous. We cannot do much to help with the stress of war, but Mr. 
Murphy's resolution can help the military family as they try to balance 
their own budget. So thank you, Mr. Murphy, for this legislation, this 
resolution.
  And with that, Madam Speaker, I hope that each and every Member will 
vote in support of this resolution.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY of Pennsylvania. Madam Speaker, I yield myself 
such time as I may consume.
  Thank you to my colleague, Mr. Walter Jones. I appreciate that. I 
appreciate the gentleman's service for the citizens of our country and 
the citizens in North Carolina.
  We owe it to those protecting our Nation and fighting for our rights 
to make sure that we support them and their families who are waiting at 
home.
  This pay raise may mean less than $1,000 for some enlisted men and 
women, but for those with bills to pay and young children to feed, 
several hundred dollars is a big deal.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly support this pay raise, and I urge my 
colleagues to do the same. By passing this bill, we tell our troops 
that we support them, and send a message to the President that this pay 
raise is not only necessary, it's our responsibility.
  Mr. LOEBSACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to echo the vital message 
of this resolution.
  Earlier this year, the House of Representatives passed the Fiscal 
Year 2008 Defense Authorization bill with overwhelming bipartisan 
support. Included in that bill is a 3.5 percent pay raise for the men 
and women who wear our country's uniform.
  While we will never be able to fully repay the debt we owe to our 
troops and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of 
our Nation, this pay raise is the very least that we can do in 
recognition of their commitment to our country.
  Today our servicemembers and our military families are answering 
their call to duty with dedication and honor, despite lengthy 
deployments and little time at home. I recently returned from visiting 
our troops in Iraq--including the Iowa National Guard 833rd Engineer 
Battalion based in my District. What I heard overwhelmingly from our 
servicemembers is that they take pride in serving their country but are 
concerned about the hardship placed on their families at home. The 
833rd was redeployed to Iraq after only 14 months at home. These 
citizen soldiers have paid a high price in their civilian and family 
lives in order to serve their country. The pay raise provided by the 
Defense Authorization bill is well deserved and a token of the 
appreciation of a grateful Nation.
  Unfortunately the Administration has deemed the .5 percent added by 
Congress to its request for a 3 percent raise to be ``unnecessary.'' I, 
and many others in this Congress, say it is necessary. I am a cosponsor 
of this resolution because I strongly believe we have a responsibility 
to provide for our servicemembers both on the battlefield and 
throughout their lives.
  This resolution also highlights the importance of a provision in the 
Defense Authorization bill that provides the families of fallen 
soldiers with a $40 per month special survivor indemnity allowance in 
relief of the ``Military Families Tax.'' The Administration also 
opposes this provision. Its opposition is once again misplaced. This 
tax is unfairly placed on more than 60,000 survivors of those who have 
paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.
  I am proud that as a Freshman Member of the House Armed Services 
Committee, I helped shape a Defense Authorization bill that recognizes 
the dedication and honor of our troops. I urge my colleagues to support 
this resolution and to send a strong message that the United States 
Congress recognizes the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform 
and is committed to providing lifelong support to our servicemembers 
and our military families.
  Madam Speaker, at this time I have no further requests for time, and 
I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Patrick J. Murphy) that the House 
suspend the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 
162, as amended.
  The question was taken.
  The Speaker pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. PATRICK J. MURPHY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and 
nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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