[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 59 (Tuesday, April 15, 2008)]
[House]
[Pages H2297-H2298]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                             HOUSE SALARIES

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 5493) to provide that the usual day for paying 
salaries in or under the House of Representatives may be established by 
regulations of the Committee on House Administration.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 5493

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. AUTHORITY OF COMMITTEE ON HOUSE ADMINISTRATION TO 
                   ESTABLISH DAY FOR PAYING SALARIES IN OR UNDER 
                   THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

       Section 116(a) of the Legislative Branch Appropriations 
     Act, 2002 (2 U.S.C. 60d-1) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new sentence: ``Notwithstanding the previous 
     sentence, the Committee on House Administration may by 
     regulation provide for the payment of salaries with respect 
     to a month on a date other than the date provided under the 
     previous sentence as may be necessary to conform to generally 
     accepted accounting practices.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Brady) and the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Ehlers) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania.


                             General Leave

  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that 
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks 
on this bill.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5493 is a bill to address the frequency of staff 
pay periods in the House. It provides that the day for paying staff may 
be regulated by the Committee on House Administration. The House of 
Representatives currently pays the staff once a month. The executive 
branch, the Senate, and most private companies pay their employees 
twice a month or every two weeks.
  We are considering a change because once-a-month pay can be difficult 
for staffers budgeting on a tight paycheck. In addition, the 
committee's oversight experience with payroll software suggested 
adopting a more common approach will save money, reduce errors and 
increase efficiency. Unfortunately, the committee can't change the pay 
schedule for House staff until we change the law.
  This bill will give the committee the authority to change the date 
that staffers are paid. It won't change the pay schedule right away. 
Once this bill is enacted, the committee will adopt regulations that 
change the pay cycle.
  I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Mr. Ehlers, for 
cosponsoring this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. EHLERS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5493, which would establish 
that the pay date in the House be determined by Committee on House 
Administration

[[Page H2298]]

regulations. However, I want to make clear that, while I support the 
committee establishing its authority to determine the House's pay date, 
I do not necessarily support alteration of the current House pay 
schedule at this time.
  Along with the obvious administrative challenges that would impact 
the CAO, there are a number of cultural implications within the House 
population that must be addressed prior to making such a change.
  Many employees pay their mortgages, utility bills, and other 
financial obligations in concert with a monthly pay schedule. To change 
a system that has been in place for such an extended period of time 
will have a pervasive impact and must be considered and communicated 
thoroughly before it is instituted.
  This bill is the first step on a very long road, and it should be 
followed by hearings and surveys to allow House employees to express 
their opinions.
  However, I fully support the efforts of Chairman Brady to ensure that 
the committee take a decisive role in determining whether or not 
changes to the House pay schedule are made.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. BRADY of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, 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. Brady) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5493.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________