[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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