[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 18 (Friday, February 3, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E130-E131]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. PEDRO R. PIERLUISI

                             of puerto rico

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2012

  Mr. PIERLUISI. Madam Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 3835, 
which would extend an existing pay freeze on federal employees for a 
third straight year, through December 2013.
  Federal employees often forego private sector employment to serve our 
nation. They perform essential services, ensuring that our mail is 
delivered, that our Social Security checks are issued, and that our 
drinking water remains clean. Federal employees also investigate drug 
smuggling, issue patents, and provide health services and other 
benefits to our Island's veterans. These are only a few of the many 
functions that federal employees perform every day in their work for 
the American people.
  Federal employees are willing to do their share to reduce the 
deficit. However, it is unfair to place the burden of reducing the 
deficit entirely on their backs. Federal employees have already 
contributed $60 billion toward deficit reduction by accepting a two-
year pay freeze. We should not ask this one particular group to make 
additional sacrifices when we are not asking other Americans to make 
similar sacrifices.
  I urge my colleagues to reject this bill and to treat federal 
employees with the respect they deserve.

[[Page E131]]



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