[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 38 (Wednesday, March 4, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E555]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                    OMNIBUS APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2009

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. J. RANDY FORBES

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 25, 2009

  Mr. FORBES. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to a cost-of-living 
increase for Members of Congress. We are currently faced with difficult 
economic times and an expanding federal deficit. Our economy is in a 
recession, unemployment figures are on the rise, home values are 
falling, and our national debt exceeds $10 trillion. Congress must not 
insulate itself from the crises at hand and I believe it is past time 
for Congress to be responsible. The most immediate action we can take 
is to cancel the automatic pay increase system currently in place for 
Members of Congress.
  To address this issue, I recently cosponsored H.R. 156 in this 111th 
Congress, legislation that would prevent Members from receiving an 
automatic cost of living adjustment in the future. The 27th Amendment 
to the Constitution restricts the current Congress from altering its 
pay for 2009. I am disappointed that H.R. 156 was not brought to the 
House floor for a vote to address this important issue. Rather, this 
issue was lumped into a controversial 1100-plus page omnibus bill for 
political purposes. By not allowing an independent yes-or-no vote on 
this provision, we simply reinforce the impression that many important 
legislative measures are structured to be political gamesmanship. If 
Congress is to vote itself a pay raise, it should be done in sunlight 
in the full view of the American public, not through a quiet procedural 
motion hidden in the shadows. The people of Virginia deserve 
accountability and transparency from their elected officials.
  I oppose the automatic cost-of-living increase for Members of 
Congress. Each of us should be on the record with our constituents as 
to whether we believe an increase to our own salaries is justified. In 
this time of increased economic hardship, I am going on the record in 
firm opposition to this pay increase. Since I was not allowed to vote 
yes or no, this forum has become my only recourse. Until the procedural 
barriers are removed, we will not have the transparent process that 
Americans deserve from their government. I will continue to fight for 
fiscal responsibility at all levels of government spending.

                          ____________________