[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 58 (Thursday, April 22, 2010)]
[Senate]
[Page S2544]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




PROHIBITING A COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS IN 2011

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Madam President, over the years, Members of Congress 
have had a lot of perks, but one of them stands out; that is, the 
ability to raise their own pay. Not many Americans have the power to 
give themselves a raise whenever they want, no matter how they are 
performing. To make it worse, Members do not even have to vote on this 
pay raise. Congress has set up a system whereby every year Members 
automatically get a pay raise. No one has to lift a finger.
  I do not take these pay raises, and I have been fighting for years to 
pass my bill to end this cozy system. Thanks to the majority leader, we 
took an important step last year when the Senate passed legislation to 
end automatic annual pay raises for Members of Congress. Unfortunately, 
the leadership of the other body has, so far, refused to take up that 
bill.
  Well, I am going to keep fighting to pass it, but there is another 
step we can take in the meantime; that is, to make sure we do not get a 
pay raise next year. We already enacted legislation to block a pay 
raise this year, and now we have to do the same thing for 2011. With so 
many Americans looking for jobs and trying to figure out how to pay 
their bills, now is no time to give ourselves a taxpayer-funded $1,600 
pay increase.
  I have a bill to block the scheduled 2011 pay raise.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that Senators Burr, Vitter, 
Bennet, Lincoln, Grassley, McCaskill, Begich, and McCain all be added 
as cosponsors to the bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Madam President, I also ask unanimous consent that 
Senator Whitehouse be added as a cosponsor to the bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senate proceed to the immediate consideration of S. 3244, a bill to 
prohibit a cost-of-living adjustment for Members of Congress in 2011; 
that the bill be read a third time and passed, and the motion to 
reconsider be laid upon the table; that any statements relating to the 
bill be printed in the Record.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Is there objection?
  Mr. LEAHY. Mr. President, reserving the right to object, I ask the 
Senator to add me as a cosponsor.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
Senator from Vermont, Mr. Leahy, be added as a cosponsor to the bill.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. FEINGOLD. Madam President, I renew my request.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The bill (S. 3244) was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, 
was read the third time, and passed, as follows:

                                S. 3244

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

     SECTION 1. NO COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT IN PAY OF MEMBERS OF 
                   CONGRESS.

       Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no adjustment 
     shall be made under section 601(a) of the Legislative 
     Reorganization Act of 1946 (2 U.S.C. 31) (relating to cost of 
     living adjustments for Members of Congress) during fiscal 
     year 2011.

  Mr. FEINGOLD. Madam President, I thank the Chair, and I will be 
urging the other body to pass this bill as soon as possible and send it 
to the President. I will keep fighting so that in the future the burden 
will be on those who want a pay raise--not on those who want to block 
one--to pass legislation.
  I thank the Chair and yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Missouri.
  Mr. BOND. Madam President, I believe the Senator from Vermont has a 
brief statement.
  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I just wish to make a unanimous consent 
request.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Vermont.
  Mr. LEAHY. Madam President, I thank my dear friend, the senior 
Senator from Missouri.

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