[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 9 (Thursday, January 15, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H328]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 BLOCK THE NEXT CONGRESSIONAL PAY RAISE

  (Mr. MITCHELL asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. MITCHELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise to urge my colleagues to block the 
next scheduled congressional pay raise. At a time when the economy is 
forcing so many of the families we represent to tighten their belts, I 
believe this is the wrong time to be raising our own pay.
  Last month, 524,000 Americans lost their jobs, bringing the 
unemployment rate to its highest since 1993. Since last year, jobless 
rates increased in 49 States and in the District of Columbia. In my 
home State of Arizona, unemployment rose by over 50 percent, leaving 
nearly 200,000 workers unemployed.
  Last week, I introduced House Resolution 156, with Representative 
Paul of Texas, to stop the next automatic congressional pay raise from 
taking effect next year. As of this morning, we have been joined by 77 
cosponsors--Republicans and Democrats.
  Our Nation is at war. Our economy is reeling. The American people 
aren't getting a pay raise. We shouldn't either. I will be donating my 
2009 pay raise to charity just as I did with the 2008 pay raise.
  I urge my colleagues to join our growing coalition and to support the 
Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act.

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