[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 28 (Wednesday, February 11, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E242]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        CONGRESSIONAL PAY RAISE

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. HARRY E. MITCHELL

                               of arizona

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 11, 2009

  Mr. MITCHELL. Madam Speaker, I rise today to thank Speaker Pelosi for 
agreeing to bloc the next scheduled congressional pay raise.
  As government acts to cap executive compensation, and as millions of 
Americans watch their incomes shrink, a pay raise for Members of 
Congress would have seemed glaringly out of touch.
  If we are going to talk the talk of fiscal discipline, we must also 
walk the walk of self-restraint. The American people are not getting a 
raise this year. Neither should Congress.
  I also wish to thank Dr. Ron Paul and 107 of our colleagues--
Republicans and Democrats--who were willing to support H.R. 156, the 
Stop the Congressional Pay Raise Act. Without the leadership of these 
Members--so many of them new Members--we may not have taken this 
important step.

                          ____________________