[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 18 (Friday, February 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E127]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   TO EXTEND THE PAY LIMITATION FOR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND FEDERAL 
                               EMPLOYEES

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                               speech of

                        HON. CAROLYN B. MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2012

  Mrs. MALONEY. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 3835 
because of the negative cost it puts on the backs of our federal public 
servants. At a time when Congress must make tough budget choices, I 
fully support a freeze on the salary of Members of Congress. That is 
why I am a cosponsor of H.R. 3858, a clean bill that would freeze 
Congressional pay.
  However, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle are playing 
politics with the federal workforce. It is shameful that some of my 
colleagues want to blame the federal workforce for our country's 
problems and to make them pay the cost for climbing out of the 
recession. These hard working men and women provide vital operational 
support to our military members; ensure our senior citizens receive 
their Social Security checks; protect our borders; ensure the safety of 
our environment, food, and water; treat our wounded veterans; and 
research cures for cancer and other deadly diseases.
  The Federal Government is our country's largest employer, providing 
jobs to about 2 million civilian employees. Roughly 85 percent of the 
federal workforce is located outside the metro Washington, DC area. 
These federal families are facing the same economic challenges as 
families across America. Federal workers already are subject to a two 
year pay freeze that will save more than $60 billion over the next 
decade. An additional third year of pay freezes on federal employee 
salaries as proposed in today's legislation further undermines the 
federal government's ability to attract and retain the highest talent. 
It also threatens to close the pipeline of new talent moving up the 
federal civil service. A report from the Partnership for Public Service 
highlighted that employees with high-demand skills are those most 
likely to have alternative employment options.
  Until we have the opportunity for a clean vote, I must urge a no vote 
on H.R. 3835, legislation that places too much cost on the federal 
workforce.

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