[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 20 (Tuesday, February 7, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E156]
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. ROBERT J. WITTMAN

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 1, 2012

  Mr. WITTMAN. Madam Speaker, I don't think there is anyone in this 
country who supports increasing pay for Members of Congress. I 
certainly don't, which is why I voted in favor of H.R. 3835 on 
Wednesday. Throughout my tenure in this body, I have continually voted 
to cut, freeze, and otherwise limit pay for Members. With so many folks 
across Virginia's First District and the nation struggling to feed 
their families or find a job, Congress has got to lead by example and 
show that it is serious about tackling this country's economic woes in 
a responsible manner.
  An important part of being responsible, however, is the ability to be 
fair, and I fear that H.R. 3835 sets an unfair precedent by targeting a 
particular group of public servants who are already tasked to do so 
much for their country: federal employees. Government workers have been 
under a pay freeze since December of 2010, and this legislation would 
extend that freeze through 2013. These hardworking patriots serve our 
nation on a daily basis, whether it be keeping our skies safe for 
travelers with the FAA or supporting our troops on the front lines of 
the war on terror with the CIA. From the lowest GS-1 to the highest GS-
15, the federal workforce is full of dedicated and committed citizens 
who exemplify patriotism in everything they do. There is no question 
that changing the unsustainable trajectory of this nation will take 
sacrifice from us all, but continually singling out federal employees 
is an ineffective and unjustified response to the nation's fiscal 
struggles.
  Although I have serious concerns with the federal employee pay 
freeze, I ultimately voted for this legislation because Congress must 
lead by example and freeze our own pay first. I would like to remind my 
colleagues that long after we are all gone, federal employees will 
continue to selflessly serve this nation, as they have since its 
inception. Repeatedly singling them out is no way to thank them for 
their dedicated contributions. I am hopeful that future deficit 
reduction efforts in this body will focus on more realistic methods of 
savings that truly address the drivers of our debt so that we can 
foster an environment of job creation and prosperity in this country.

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