[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 30 (Wednesday, March 2, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Page S1117]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            PAY PROHIBITION

  Mr. COBURN. Mr. President, I rise to voice my concerns regarding S. 
388, a bill to prohibit Members of Congress and the President from 
receiving pay during government shutdowns. While I believe it is 
important we in Congress lead by example, I am concerned this bill does 
not go far enough. Every bill that Senate moves this Congress should 
send a clear message to the American taxpayer that we are serious about 
our Nation's finances, the economic struggles being faced by our fellow 
citizens across the country, and the future of this great country.
  If we are going to prohibit pay for Members of Congress and the 
President, we must also include members of the President's Cabinet, for 
example.
  The bill prohibits retroactive pay for Members of Congress and the 
President who would not be paid during a government shutdown. This 
prohibition on retroactive pay should also apply to nonessential 
Federal Government employees who would be furloughed during a 
government shutdown. It is unfair to force hard-working Americans to 
pay the salaries of politicians who have failed to do their jobs or 
government employees who did not have to report to work because they 
are nonessential.
  It is also my opinion that this legislation encourages Members of 
Congress to raise the debt ceiling. Clearly Congress does not need any 
more incentive to borrow and spend money or raise the debt ceiling. 
Since March of 1996 Congress has raised the debt limit 12 times. In 
1995, the gross Federal debt was $4.92 trillion. Today, the national 
debt exceeds $14 trillion. We should not be passing legislation 
incentivizing more borrowing and debt. If anything, this bill should 
reduce Members' pay if they increase the debt limit, not the other way 
around.
  I am also concerned with the timing and need for this bill. Prior to 
the Presidents Day recess, the House of Representatives passed a bill 
funding the operations of the Federal Government through the remainder 
of the fiscal year that included over $60 billion in spending 
reductions. Unfortunately, the Senate, which has not passed a single 
appropriations bill for fiscal year 2011, once again failed to act on 
this bill. And just today, the House passed a 2-week continuing 
resolution that the Senate will pass. It is about time for the Senate 
to do its most basic job--ensuring the continued operations of the 
Federal Government in a fiscally responsible manner.
  With government spending at unsustainable levels, it is imperative 
that every Member of Congress make hard choices regarding Federal 
spending and cut waste, fraud, abuse, and duplication at every level of 
government.

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